Finally Miss Florida America is Here!

July 5, 2010 - PRLog -- Finally, the time has come to pack the wardrobe, the shoes, the accessories, the makeup, the butt glue and head north to St. Petersburg, Florida. It is Miss Florida time!

Naples, FL - The Miss Southwest Florida Board hosted a send off for Miss SW Florida 2010, Sarah Callahan, as she prepared to compete in the Miss Florida Pageant July 7-10 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

"I have never been this excited in my entire life... not nervous at all... just well, anxious" said Sarah Callahan. "I feel like a million bucks... I am ready mentally, emotionally, and physically."

The theme for the event was “A Mid Summers Night Dream” and was held at Mira Mare Ristorante at Venetian Village.  The perfect choice to host a send off party, Naples' authentic Northern Italian restaurant. The attendees enjoyed the casual elegance of networking on the patio overlooking the water and indulging in a culinary experience they will never forget.

Everyone enjoyed the traditional antipasto, calamari, pizzas and cocktails provided for their pleasure.  Many enjoyed the food so much they stayed to experience the homemade pastas and savor the meat and seafood main courses. "The freshness of Mira Mire's ingredients, their amazing wine selection and the relaxed atmosphere was so mesmerizing it kept the attendees captive even after the event was over." observed Lisa Winters of Homes & Land Publication.  Callahan was introduced by her Executive Director, Kimberley Ouimet and Board Members brought well wishes and gifts for their contestant and Sunshine Prince.

Local five year old Maxwell Marr was officially crowned during the event and given his official Sunshine Prince crown, banner and trophy.  The Sunshine Prince Program is designed for boys, ages 5 through 8 years of age. The program encourages young boys to honor, encourage and respect young women in our society. The inclusion of young boys in the Miss Florida America program helps to instill the values of character education and to promote scholastic achievement and community service.  As part of the community service, Maxwell will raise money for Children’s Miracle Network a Miss America partner.  That evening Mira Mare restaurant patrons were very generous exchanging contributions for CMN for an autographed photo of Maxwell in his tuxedo.

Sara performed her talent piece, a monologue from Cinderella for the guests and her mesmerized Prince, Maxwell.  Sarah then thanked everyone for coming and talked about the upcoming Miss Florida Pageant.  “I have worked with an amazing Board of Directors and look forward to joining the other amazingly beautiful and intelligent young ladies who are also competing for the Miss Florida title. Bruce Linser, my acting coach was the best.  Such an amazing teacher. I have been dressed by the best sponsors in the World and I thank them for all they have done for me.  The sponsors and Jackie (Jackie Strategos, Coldwell Banker Residential on Marco Island, Sponsorship chair) truly care about you and dress you to WIN!  I am in it to win it! If it isn't my time then that will be okay too. All I can do is my best and focus on what I have to bring to the table”.

Miss Florida 75th Anniversary Pageant will be held at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg and televised by CBS on July 10th at 7pm.  Sarah and Maxwell will perform in the opening number together and he will escort her during the evening gown competition to earn the title of Miss Florida.   The new Miss Florida will represent our state at the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas this coming January.

Sarah’s motto for Miss Florida Week will be "I want it. I can do the job. And I'm ready."

For more information on the Miss Southwest Florida Pageant, contact Kimberley Ouimet, Executive Director at 248-342-8112 or visit www.missflorida.org.

Visit our Facebook Photo Gallery http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo_search.php?oid=119436611... to see the festivities!