The Miss Orlando 2011 pageant packed in 745 people at Cypress Creek High School on Saturday Jan. 29th. The audience witnessed Ashley Ramsey being crowned Miss Orlando 2011.
“I am overwhelmed,” stated Ramsey expressing that she was not expecting to win despite winning two preliminaries: Miss Overall talent for baton twirling and Miss Overall Swimsuit, “I kept going ‘wait it doesn’t mean it’s me’ ”.
“In the end you have to just know yourself, relax and just put what you know out there and not over think it too much,” stated Ramsey regarding her preparation for the pageant aside from eating healthy, working out, interview preparations and walking lessons.
“The level of competition here was incredible and I’ve never seen that at a local pageant,” stated Donald Gray Miss Orlando’s pageant director for the third year.
Stephanie Ziajka, a contestant and UCF student, shared her thoughts regarding the outcome of the pageant, “There were so many talented and experienced girls. I’m sure the judges had a very difficult time making their decisions.”
“I feel like I performed my best, and there’s nothing more I can ask of myself,” stated Ziajka.
The pageant kicked off with Miss Orlando’s 2010 Vicky DiSanto singing “Somebody to Love” by Queen in support of the pageant’s rock’n’roll theme.
The audience cheered on the 24 contestants as they danced their way to the stage. However, the crowd’s reaction went from a cheer to a few sounds of disapproval. During the first portion of the pageant the contestants were asked questions at random and one contestant was asked her opinion regarding Obama’s Health Care Plan.
Unlike UCF’s Music Meier who was asked about the role of women in which she answered, “To better our generation.”
The contestants also got to show off their talents during the talent portion of the pageant.
UCF student Sara York silenced the audience in awe as she performed a piano solo “La Malagueña” by Cuban pianist Ernesto Lecuona.
York won the Audience Choice Award and took home an Apple iPad. She was also Miss Orlando’s 2011 second runner- up. Third runner- up was Kristina Janolo and first runner- up was Laura McKeeman.
The contestants ended the night in the Evening Wear portion of the pageant by appearing on stage with their princess’s from the Sunshine Princess program, a program for girls ages five through 12 who prepare at an early age for Miss Orlando, Miss Florida and Miss America pageants.
The Miss Orlando 2011 pageant was sponsored by Star Studded Productions, Regalia, Seasons 52, Cake Mix Studios, The Imagination House, Rodazzle, Lee James Floral Designs, INC, Yellow Dog Eats, BB Kings Blues Club and Sun Mist.
