Mrs. Branson becomes Mrs. Missouri

Tuesday, May 06, 2008 Mrs. Branson is crowned Mrs. Missouri Published: Monday, May 5, 2008 3:49 PM CDT E-mail this story | Print this page 2008 Mrs. Missouri and Missouri Princess winners are, front, from left: Junior Miss Missouri Danielle Stanfield, Little Miss Missouri Jennifer Teal and Tiny Miss Missouri Morgan Newman; and back, from left: Miss Teen Missouri McKenzie Garber, 2008 Mrs. Missouri Rhonda Randolph, Missouri Princess Tameka Davis and Miss Pre-Teen Missouri Alexis Frazier. - Photo by Bailey Studio A curtain of confetti fell on Mrs. Branson Rhonda Randolph, 2008 Mrs. Missouri, as she took her first walk as Mrs. Missouri across the stage of Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center Saturday evening. She competed against eight other contestants in areas of swimsuit, evening gown and interview. As Mrs. Missouri, Randolph's platform is overcoming obesity. She herself has lost more than 150 pounds in her fight against obesity. She stated Saturday evening, as the confetti fell down, that winning the Mrs. Missouri pageant made her, "ecstatic." She also stated that it is a dream come true to win the title and that the feeling was "absolutely wonderful." As Mrs. Missouri, Randolph will compete in the Mrs. America contest that will be nationally televised this fall. Saturday was a big day beginning with a parade featuring all pageant contestants, past Missouri princess title holders, former Mrs. Missouri title holders, Ballet Arts Dance Company performers, the Marching Falcons from Kansas City and Mrs. Missouri 2007 Adrianne Caruso. Grand Marshal Amy Shirley, Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce director, led the parade down Washington Street. As each contestant rode along, family members, friends and supporters presented them with flowers and gifts. A reception at the Grand River Area Family YMCA followed the parade and gave members of the public an opportunity to meet the contestants and get autographs. The day's crowning affair came that evening at Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center. Mrs. Missouri Pageant 2006 title holder Lanie Beetsma of Chillicothe was hostess for the evening's events. The evening began with a performance by Ballet Arts dancers and all nine Mrs. Missouri contestants, dancing to "Simply Irresistible" which was also the theme for the pageant. Mrs. Missouri 2008 contestants were: Mrs. Trenton, Lisa Schilling, contestant number one; Mrs. Kansas City, Heather Chatlos, contestant number two; Mrs. Oakville, Ann Morrison, contestant number three; Mrs. Southwest, Rosanne Frazier, contestant number four; Mrs. O'Fallon, Tra'e Madden, contestant number five; Mrs. St. Louis, Amy Miller, contestant number six; Mrs. Chillicothe, Kristie Cross, contestant number seven; Mrs. Branson, Rhonda Randolph, contestant number eight; and Mrs. Advance, Katie Eggiman, contestant number nine. The Mrs. Missouri contestants were scored on three areas: swimsuit, which counted for 25 percent of their total score; evening gown, which was also 25 percent; and a personal interview with the judges, which counted for 50 percent of their overall score........ -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com