Christmas Greetings

December 23, 2005

Dear Friends,

T’was 4 weeks to the pageant and all through the land,
Not a NAMASP volunteer was hurried; to Vegas was our plan!

The contestants were! packing their wardrobes with care,
In hopes they would capture the next title out there.

The pageant families and contestants were all snug in their beds,
While visions of the new Miss America Pageant danced around in their heads.

And me in my kerchief, I was ready to start my Christmas wrap,
Began to turn off my computer for a long winter’s nap!

When up on my screen there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my chair to read what was the matter?

Away to the NAMASP website I typed like a flash,
Opened up my email to read, ‘’we’re back with the sash!”

When what to my wondering eyes should appear, “Miss Congeniality and Top Five Talents”, back on T.V.,
And…THAT was just what we ALL wanted to see!

With a little help from our producer, Bob Bain, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment this WASN”T a trick!

More rapid than eagles the emails they came.
And I shouted and typed back… this WASN”T a game!

Now INTERVIEW, Now SWIMSUIT, Now TALENT, Now EVENING GOWN, is back,
On CMT, in Vegas, we must be on track!

To the top of our inbox, the emails we wrote…
NOW PACK TODAY, PACK TODAY, PACK TODAY ALL!

As we booked our hotel rooms and made all our flights to the sky,
We’ve all made our arrangements to Vegas, this January, now fly!

And then in a twinkling I read on the site, that James Denton’s our new T.V. Host,
Now… they have got THAT just right!

As I turned back to th! e home page to fill out my competition book application,
I frantically downloaded Miss America 2005 to check out her location!

Our Miss America this year, Miss Deidre Downs,
Traveled across this Great Country, as she carried the Crown.

With dignity, grace, style and tenacity;
She will long be remembered for her strengthen and class to capacity!

Her platform to champion “Curing Childhood Cancer”,
Was just the right message for her to answer.

Her eyes- -how they twinkle! Her dimples how merry!
Her cheeks are like roses, with the poise that she carries!

She spoke just the right words during each interview,
And we are all proud of the job she did do!

As we prepare for the pageant, let’s all not forget,
It took time and patience for us all to take this new step!

Thank you to Deidre, Our Miss America 2005,
Our President and CEO, Art McMaster, the Miss America Board of Directors and Staff,
To the National Association of Miss America State Pageants Board and Volunteers,
To our Contestants, Families and Friends…
Let’s hold on to this special moment and make it quite clear!

Miss America is about style, scholarship, service and success!
We send our contestants to compete for America’s Best!

As I turn off my computer and it goes out of sight.
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night”

Respectfully,
Valerie Clemens
President
National Association of Miss America State Pageants

P.S.
Art McMaster President and CEO with Me! SEE YOU IN LAS VEGAS!