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| Subject: Local Competition Season For 2014 Finally Here | |
Author: Ernie Koneck | [ Next Thread |
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] Date Posted: 11:07:55 09/27/13 Fri The first locals for 2014 Miss CA contestants finally start this month, and like most years, the options for contestants prior to January 1 are few and far between. There are 7 structured locals - all single title as far as I know - Blythe, Azusa, Garden Grove, Lake County, City of Orange, San Diego and Marin County, and only one open - Hollywood/Southland. From what I hear, the interesting thing about Hollywood/Southland is that they have several newcomers to MAO, but only a few returning titleholders. The surprising thing about that isn't the presence of "newbies." When I was ED, I always made an effort to recruit new girls to the program, and with an open it can be easier - there is at most one orientation meeting, and the entire pageant and rehearsal all take place over one weekend - so it's an easy time commitment for someone who may not know exactly what she's getting into. I think if open EDs make the effort to get new girls to enter, and don't just rely on former titleholders for contestants, opens could prove to be CA's secret weapon to expanding statewide participation in the Miss CA program, which has been slowly declining even though the number of state contestants has grown. For those of you who do a joint structured/open pageant with more extensive training and rehearsal for your structured contestants, consider making some of those meetings optional for the open contestants. The surprising part about Hollywood is the lack of returning titleholders who have chosen to enter. If I were a contestant in the last couple Miss CA state pageants, and I wanted to win in 2014, I would want a local title sooner rather than later, so I could focus on state and Miss America prep. Because let's face it folks, if you're not 95% Miss America-ready on Saturday night in Fresno, you're not going to be crowned. And if you seriously think that the only two girls who have a shot at the title are Jordan Krinke and Caylynn Simonson, then you don't know your Miss CA history very well. Don't get me wrong. Jordan and Caylynn are awesome contestants and would represent CA very well at Miss America. But NO ONE is a shoe-in, ever. At this time in the 2000 pageant season, no one, not even her local director, had heard of Rita Ng. At this time in the 2002 pageant season, no one in CA had heard of Nicole Lamarche, who had been 1st runner-up in Arizona, and then quietly moved to Berkeley to attend graduate school. That year she was 1st runner-up to Jennifer Glover, and the following year she was crowned Miss CA 2003 and 4th runner-up at Miss America. At this time in the 2005 pageant season, no one had heard of Dustin-Leigh Konzelman. At this time in the 2008 pageant season, Jackie Geist was the outgoing Miss Gavilan Hills, who had won that pageant much to her own surprise, and then won nothing at Miss CA. At this time in the 2010 pageant season, people knew former MCOT Arianna Afsar would be competing somewhere as a Miss, but no one seriously thought she's win on her first try - way too young! So, you never know. Someone no one has ever heard of, someone who has never entered a pageant before, someone who may have just moved to CA from another state may prove to be the ONE next summer. Or maybe it's you - the girl who competed last year and did well, but no one's talking about yet; or the girl who didn't place or get any special recognition who has been working hard ever since because she wants to prove she belongs at the top; or the girl that has taken a hard look at herself and decided what parts to keep and what parts to change and is reinventing herself to be the better version of herself she always knew she could be. But, frankly, if I were any of those girls, I wouldn't waste time waiting for the "perfect" pageant to come along. There may not be as many opens this year as last - Anaheim Hills/North County is gone; Nat'l Orange Show/San Bernardino County is now a single crown structured pageant under new management; Monterey Bay/Central Coast may go away so Kati can focus on the Teen program. If you want to win, the worst thing you can do is waste time. Good luck everyone! Here's to awesome 2014 Miss CA class! You've got a hard act to follow! [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| [> Subject: bump | |
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Author: bump [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 12:31:01 09/27/13 Fri [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: If I was a returner I would jump at this opportunity with Hollywood having so many newbies. | |
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Author: :) [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 12:45:38 09/27/13 Fri [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Great post! I have never understood why someone truly interested in becoming Miss America would leave any stone unturned. Meaning, seize your opportunities as they become available. I know that if I could have my local title nailed down before the winter/spring rush it would make me a happy girl. Good luck everyone! | |
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Author: Norlene [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 13:57:55 09/27/13 Fri [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: Don't worry about opens going away. You can bet Bob will replace them and /or add on a sweeps like in the past. He will keep his numbers up. | |
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Author: Opportunities [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 16:18:01 09/27/13 Fri [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> Subject: State staff decided in June that opens will not be replaced and will decrease by attrition. A few of the opens don't have the option of adding a third title since they are tied to a structured pageant. Don't look for new opens or new open titles any time soon. New and returning structureds are being encouraged. | |
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Author: 12345678 [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 12:02:32 09/28/13 Sat [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Even without those opens, there are a LOT of open pageants. Most add titles when they can, anyway. | |
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Author: . [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 16:57:08 09/27/13 Fri [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Ernie, was it really necessary to call out Caylynn and Jordan in your post? It puts both of them in a terrible position, and unfairly so. They, along with many other girls, will be competing to become Miss CA. It is completely unfair of you to use them tin this way. | |
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Author: Unfortunate [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 20:05:09 09/27/13 Fri [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: That was his point. | |
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Author: Try to keep up. [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 23:25:49 09/27/13 Fri [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> Subject: You're saying his point was to humiliate and hurt Caylynn and Jordan? I find it hard to believe that Ernie would intentionally do that. | |
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Author: no name [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 07:03:19 09/28/13 Sat [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> [> Subject: My point was to respond to earlier posts elsewhere on this board and on the national board that imply that this year is a 2-way race between Jordan and Caylynn. Personally, I like both of them a lot and think they are both clearly strong contenders. But the ultimate point is, you can't look at CA from the perspective of late September, and declare 2 contestants the only possible winners. That's why I gave the examples of other years when the actual winner wasn't on anyone's radar at this point. I don't want girls feeling like competing this year is hopeless because the outcome is predetermined. I didn't intend to hurt or humiliate Caylynn or Jordan in any way, and I apologize if either of them read this and took it that way. | |
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Author: Ernie [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 07:13:47 09/28/13 Sat [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Thanks for encouraging ALL the girls, Ernie. If people know you and have read anything from you before, they know your intentions are to encourage and not to discourage. | |
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Author: // [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 08:24:43 09/28/13 Sat [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: I know at least one more open that has not been mentioned that will not be happening this year and no, the opens will not be replaced. | |
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Author: Looks like numbers will be down in Fresno this year. [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 09:27:07 09/28/13 Sat [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: I remember 2011 when Saundra Combs and Sharanya were supposed to be the last two standing. They were both experienced favorites and Sharanya had been to Sweetheart. Marina was a huge favorite too and then out of the blue Noelle and Leah are last 2 standing leaving Saundra and Sharanya behind. That's not to say that's going to happen this year with Caylynn and Jordan but they COULD be left behind if a couple of girls out there are learning and preparing how to be just as good if not better. Ernie in no way was trying to put those girls down. I know he loves those girls. He is only encouraging those girls who could truly benefit from getting into the race and taking it all the way in spite of the buzz about favorites. And we all love cheering on the underdogs! California is known for their surprises. There might be more for us next summer! | |
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Author: Game on! [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 12:34:34 09/28/13 Sat [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: The opens that have not been mentioned above are Los Angeles, Delta Valley, Yosemite Valley and Gavilan Hills. Which one isn't happening? | |
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Author: Making Plans [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 13:45:30 09/28/13 Sat [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: Monterey Bay and Gavilan Hills are the only remaining opens not listed with dates on the website. Is Gavilan Hills happening???? | |
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Author: abacus [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 13:51:36 09/28/13 Sat [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> Subject: It will happen. Pageants that haven't filled out the on line form to get their date registered aren't registered yet. Doesn't mean they're not happening. It was just last pageant season lots of people were complaining that there were too many opens. Looks like maybe things will just even back out. Those that should be at Miss CA will be there. | |
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Author: relax it will all be fine. no more scare tactics please [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 14:04:54 09/28/13 Sat [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: What about Silicon Valley? Or was it just a one-year thing? | |
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Author: I hope we don't lose any more opens! [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 18:28:29 09/28/13 Sat [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Silicon Valley was not and is not an open. It is a structured covering Santa Clara County. It will be taking place in conjunction with Santa Clara again this year and for years to come. | |
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Author: .. [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 19:22:22 09/28/13 Sat [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: That's good to know. Glad it will still be around. | |
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Author: Thought it was an open since Crystal is from SF. [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 05:33:19 09/29/13 Sun [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> Subject: It was not an open. Crystal lived in Palo Alto and attended Stanford University, both of which are in Santa Clara County. | |
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Author: .. [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 11:21:00 09/29/13 Sun [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Monterey Bay and Gavilin Hills are not going to happen. I think it is too late to enter Hollywood but it wouldn't hurt to ask. That leaves Yosemite, OC and Central which are on the same day. LA County and Woodland Hills. | |
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Author: Good luck ladies! [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 05:17:53 10/07/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: The opens in the north will happen, although perhaps not under the same title. | |
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Author: :> [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 07:27:32 10/07/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: Heard through the grapevine that Gavilan and NorCal are happening... heard it through a friend of the friend, so I don't want to get all excited but pretty sure it's happening- I'll wait to see if I am wrong | |
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Author: It'd be a shame if Gavilan didn't go on [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 17:42:56 10/08/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> Subject: For many years, Gavilan Hills and Northern California Regional were THE last programs of the year and this year is no exception (3/15/14). These programs, along with San Francisco, tended to be towards to end of the season. | |
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Author: :-) [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 14:41:53 10/31/13 Thu [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Hollywood closed on 10/2. Why would it re-open, it was very well advertised and not that there may be a panic because two opens are not happening, it is not the fault or problem of the girls who did enter on time. | |
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Author: NO MORE EXCUSES [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 05:24:34 10/07/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: Hollywood decided to extend. They don't have to give a reason. | |
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Author: :) [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 09:42:05 10/07/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> Subject: It is not too late to enter Hollywood. Email me for details. hollywoodsouthland@gmail.com | |
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Author: Tom Moletteire [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 11:01:38 10/07/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
[> Subject:  Sierra Nevada and Yosemite Valley on January 18th. Orange County and Central Valley February st
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Author: L Dash [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 10:44:29 10/07/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: February 1st for Orange Co and Central California | |
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Author: LDash [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 10:48:22 10/07/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: so much for deadlines | |
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Author: ? [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 11:19:51 10/07/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: I can tell you two reasons why formers are NOT wanting to compete at Hollywood. Tom and Kari. Let's be honest here, it does not matter what title you have when you compete for Miss CA. Miss Hollywood last this year didn't even get into the top 5 when that same girl was 3rd runner up last year. That being said, girls do not care about what title they have, they just want the ticket to state and a good support system. I am a former contestant looking to return and I am specifically NOT interested in Hollywood simply because I would be under that dictatorship. Kari had the nerve to tell a contestant for Miss Hollywood right before her interview that "there was nothing they could do to change her other than the fact that no one liked her". Um excuse me, but what the hell kind of mentor are you trying to be by pushing a girl down? For the record that same contestant placed 1st runner up this year, so suck on that Kari. You can bet that girl won't be interested in Hollywood because of you. | |
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Author: It's true [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 05:54:52 10/09/13 Wed .I can tell you two reasons why formers are NOT wanting to compete at Hollywood. And those two reasons are Tom and Kari. Let's be honest here, it does not matter what title you have when you compete for Miss CA. I mean come on Miss Hollywood last this year didn't even get into the top 5 when that same girl was 3rd runner up last year. Being Miss Hollywood does not make you any better. That being said, girls do not care about what title they have, they just want the ticket to state and a good support system. I am also a former contestant looking to return and I am specifically NOT interested in Hollywood simply because I would be under the dictatorship of Tom and Kari. They do not have a girl's best interest in mind, they only care about themselves and trying to mold someone into who they think she should be rather than embracing who she is and letting that shine. Kari had the nerve to tell a contestant for Miss Hollywood right before her interview that "there was nothing they could do to change her other than the fact that no one liked her and she was a bitch". Um excuse me, but what the hell kind of mentor are you trying to be by pushing a girl down? For the record that same contestant placed 1st runner up this year, so suck on that Kari. You can bet that girl won't be interested in Hollywood because of you. And yes, that information got around to the other contestants. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: Okay- Lauren probably missed the five because a. it was a more difficult year, and b. different judges are looking for different things... | |
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Author: . [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 08:11:57 10/09/13 Wed [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Kari does not judge mao competitions. If she did in the past, so be it, but she doesn't anymore. She's not on the certified list either. I'm also not sure she's on any "board" for a mao local. Helping out does not make you a board member. | |
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Author: Norlene Bitch [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 14:38:34 10/09/13 Wed [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: Sounds like many are reallyl mean about Kari! | |
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Author: Pretty Girl! [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 15:43:35 10/09/13 Wed [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: I would say placing 2nd runner-up in CA is "placing high enough to matter," especially considering it was a year with three triple preliminary winners and she actually placed higher than one of them. Sadly, it was her co-titleholder and very good friend Amy Yetasook. Aside from that, there have been some changes for 2014 and I will be in charge of preparing the 2014 Hollywood/Southland titleholders for Miss California. (more inside) | |
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Author: Ernie Koneck [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 18:38:58 10/09/13 Wed So feel free to bash me instead of Kari and Tom if you must. But I will say two things: any ED or pageant coach that takes full credit for the success of the contestants they work with is an egomaniac or a fool. Rather I think the proof of the success Russ and I have had thru 2003, and then me from 2004 thru 2011, can be determined by talking with the titleholders themselves. Ask them about their experience and whether we helped them. By no means did we bat 100% and I still feel bad about the titleholders we worked with that didn't place, because I think they did everything we asked of them and worked just as hard as those who were more successful. I have plenty of statistics to cite that suggest we did help them, but if you have doubts, ask the young ladies themselves. Email me at ernie@misshollywood.com or private message me on Facebook if you want more specifics. Also, if you are competing in Hollywood/Southland, and are not chosen as one of the new titleholders, I will be more than happy to give you a quick critique immediately after the pageant (hey, it's one way to get out of clean-up duty), and it may help you in the locals you compete at later this year. The committee may kill me for doing this, but I want everyone to leave the pageant with a positive experience, and this is one thing I can do to insure that. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: Thank you Ernie for posting this. I can say as a titleholder for Tom that he in no way acted as a dictator. He always left decisions up to me when it finally came down to it with regards to wardrobe, talent, etc. So if you want to say I have pageant "patty" taste then fine. Pick on me! But please don't blame Tom for decisions that his girls make. He always encouraged us to wear things that made us feel like a million dollars. He gave his opinion and we could take it or not take it. I enjoyed working with the Hollywood/Southland committee. Yes I didn't place at Miss CA, but I have no regrets with my prep. In the end it comes down to me and it is no ones fault but my own for why I didn't make the top 15. Same goes for Lauren, it is not Tom's influence for why she did or didn't make the top 5. This is a subjective competition, you can't really predict who the judges are going to pick. | |
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Author: Courtney Trouten [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 06:45:57 10/10/13 Thu [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> Subject: Oh Courtney, do you ever get tired of sucking up? You're remarkable at it. There is definitely a substantial amount of dictating that goes on with this comittee. They must not be 100% pleasant because if they were, last years titleholders Crystal and Carly would have competed to stay with them. I'm not saying they aren't a good board or supportive people but I am saying that it can't be all peaches and cream with them either. | |
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Author: Let's be real people. [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 15:58:13 10/28/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> [> Subject: I'm not sucking up, I'm just speaking from my experiences. Maybe other girls had a different experience with this committee. Why don't you enlighten us all and tell us where your sources are from? Why can't you put your name next to what you type? I can't take anything that you say with any serious validity unless you can own up to your own words. Also, have you talked to either Carly or Crystal? They both have a lot of love for Tom from what they both have told me. I wish you had the guts to say these things to my face. Why don't you private message me on Facebook? | |
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Author: Courtney Trouten [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 11:18:48 11/01/13 Fri [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Courtney - you are a real true gem! | |
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Author: Linda D. [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 11:17:25 10/10/13 Thu [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Who was the runner-up last year who sang the Donna Summer song? | |
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Author: OUt-of-Stater [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 06:39:19 10/28/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: Are you referring to the Miss CA runner-up? Lauren Smolka, who was 3rd runner-up in 2012, sang DOnna SUmmer's "If There Is Music There" in 2013, but finished in the top 10. | |
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Author: Ernie Koneck [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 07:55:05 10/28/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> Subject: Thanks. | |
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Author: Out-of-Stater [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 08:11:47 10/28/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Local Competition Season For 2014 Finally Here | |
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Author: tt [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 05:40:26 03/09/14 Sun [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Local Competition Season For 2014 Finally Here | |
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Author: Very well said (Read this again everyone) [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 09:27:18 03/10/14 Mon Thanks Ernie: you give us all hope. I know lots of girls with the scenarios that you outlined and yes--it could be the one who NEVER received any recognition, was passed over, someone from another state, etc...thank you! [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |