The third annual Miss America State and Local Volunteers Alumni Reception, which has become a part of the Miss America Pageant week in Las Vegas, saw the gathering of MAO Alumni Volun- teers joined by many active State and Local Pageant Volunteers for a colorful party, at which friends and familiar faces once again shared the memories and stories of Miss America pageants across the nation, over many years.
The Alumni Committee honored two 40-year plus veterans - Bill Haggerty, long-time Producer and Director of the Miss New Hampshire Pageant, and Louanne “Lulu” Gamba, long-time Producer and Leader of the Miss Rhode Island Pageant. Lulu was unable to attend the party in person but was there in spirit and on the cellular phone during the awards.
Louanne’s long-time friends, Valerie Clemens, President of the Miss Maine Pageant, Dr. Dennis Momyer, President of the Miss Hawaii Pageant, and Bill Haggerty, accepted the award for Lulu, who addressed the gathered audience via amplified cell phone. The Alumni Committee announced that the reception party will continue to be an annual highlight of the Miss America week, open to all of the Miss American family. □
Tiu to Tango - Pageantry CEO Carl Dunn and Chuti Tiu.
Wouldn’t Miss It - (L-R) Helen Maki chats with Kathleen and Steve Mayes of National American Miss.
Foursome Fun - (L-R) Benita Arroyo, Dr. Dennis Momyer, Camille Schifino, and Alden Kamikawa.
40-40 Club - (L-R) Co-producer of the annual Alumni Paty Gene Hill, 40-year veteran honoree Bill Haggerty, and Alumni Party Chairman and 40-year pageant veteran Jack Lawson celebrate Bill’s acceptance of the Miss America State Pageants Alumni Committee Award.
Entertainment Tonight - Gene Hill, Executive Producer for many years and co-producer of the Alumni party, spotted with Lou Garcia, long time Miss Nevada Producer and professional entertainer in Las Vegas.
Sweet Music - (L-R, seated) Former Miss Montana Sue Stanaway with Professor Esther England of the University of Montana’s music department, and ( standing) Jack Lawson and Joan Crum.
Maine Event - Valerie Clemens, former Miss Maine and Chairwoman for the Miss Maine Pageant, with Joe Savage, 40-year veteran producer of the Miss Mississippi pageant.
Sweet Lou - Former Miss Montana Diana Pacini Bauer and Lou Garcia.
Royal Connection - (L-R) Betty and Bruce Robert of Massachusetts catch up with former Miss Indiana Vicki Morrison, who now lives in Connecticut, judging pageants.
An International Affair - (L-R) Pageantry CEO Carl Dunn, Galina Cappel-lo and Elena Heller from Rostov-on-Don, Russia, with Kathleen Mayes of National American Miss Pageants.
Committee Meeting - (L-R) Jack Lawson, Chairman of the Alumni Party committee, Bill Haggerty, Producer of the Miss New Hampshire Pageant and recipient of the honor from the Alumni Committee for 40 years of volunteer service, former Miss Indiana Vicky Morrison, 40 year veteran Bruce Robert and wife Betty.
Veteran Affairs - (L-R) Alden Kamikawa, former Miss Maine and Miss Maine Pageant Chairwoman Valerie Clemens, 40-year veteran Bill Haggerty, Miss New Hampshire Producer and recipient of the Alumni Award Buddy Dees, and long-time volunteer Dr. Dennis Momyer.
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