How to Repair a Torn Nail

Got a fingernail that is tearing? Here's how to repair it.

You will need: Super/crazy (cyanoacrylate) glue
Coffee filter/teabag paper
Small scissors
Nail file or sanding block

Make sure your nail is free of any polish. Cut the coffee filter/teabag paper small enough to cover the tear. Place paper over tear and cover with glue. Be careful not to touch the mend any more than necessary. Cyanoacrylate glue will bind skin (in fact, glue with this base is used to bind skin in some surgeries.) Let dry. File/sand down as usual.

We've Hit 11,000!

We've had 11,000+ hits since the new counter was installed. Wow! Thanks for reading, and keep reading Pageantude for the latest Miss Louisiana and Miss America news.

Got a zit?

Sometimes you'll have a nasty pimple or a breakout because of hormonal changes, stress or other reasons. Here's a simple way to get rid of them.

Make a paste of honey (a natural antibiotic), 1% cortisone cream (to take down swelling and counteract itching) and aloe vera gel (for comfort). Put this on the pimple. Leave alone for a while, or overnight. Use this for a few days, and voilá! Zit gone!

If the pimple(s) don't go away in about a week or so, see a dermatologist. (S)he may prescribe a stronger treatment.

CMN Fundraiser

These are images from the recent CMN fundraiser hosted by Courtney Haynes, Miss Natchitoches City of Lights and held in Natchitoches. Photos by Meghan Melder, Miss La Bonne Terre.

Putting on the Glitz: A Benefit for CMN

Event: Putting on the Glitz Fashion Show
"100% Proceeds going to CMN!"
What: Fundraiser for CMN by Miss Coastal Wetlands Heather Williams
Hosted by The Southeastern Greek Community
Start Time: Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00pm
End Time: Wednesday, April 22 at 9:00pm
Where: Student Union Ballroom

Public Relations Student Society in America (P.R.S.S.A.) is having a fashion show benefiting Children's Miracle Network!

Come and enjoy a night full of entertainment and fashion. We will have 25 beautiful models showcasing evening wear from Tre'D Formalwear.

Our reigning Miss Louisiana, Blair Abene and Miss Southeastern 2009, Jessica Poumaroux will be in attendance! Heather Williams, Miss Coastal Wetlands, will be the emcee!

Tickets are $5.00. Professional attire, please! Also, you are encouraged to bring your friends! Hope to see everyone there!

Book Now Available

I am pleased to announce that the second edition of my book, Myths America: A Practical Guide to Pageantry, is now available. It should be available to online bookstores (amazon.com) in 6-8 weeks. I've had a few glitches here and there, but they should be fixed now.

It will also be available for the Amazon Kindle device. Kindle is also available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. (I have the application on my Touch and love it! :) )

If you absolutely can't or don't want to wait, the book is available in print through my publisher. That URL is http://stores.lulu.com/mythsamerica. If you choose to buy a print copy, I'd be happy to sign it for you! If you wish to have an electronic copy, please contact me at hollie1216@cox.net and we'll make arrangements. Please put "Electronic Book Copy" in the subject line of your e-mail so I'll know what it's about.

We've Hit 10,000!

Wow! Can you believe it's been 10,000 hits since the new counter was installed? Thanks for reading, and thanks for all your support. Keep 'em coming!

Thank You...

...to everyone who's submitted pictures for me to post here. You've all done a great job capturing all the state meeting moments that I and others have missed.

Keep reading Pageantude and keep the hits coming!

More Teens

Teen contestants Hayley Cooper, Rashada Abraham, Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen April Nelson, Dailey Joy Foster and Liesl Oestreicher

Teen contestants Hayley Cooper, Liesl Oestreicher and Logan Travis

Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen Contestant Lineup

Group A

1. Olivia Ruby vocal: "Art is Calling for Me"
2. Kacy Arabie gymnastics: "Circus"
3. Rashada Abraham vocal: "Over the Rainbow"
4. Liesl Oestreicher piano: "Great Balls of Fire"
5. Emily Spence jazz en pointe: "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"
6. Hayley Cooper vocal: "Time to Say Goodbye"
7. Kirsten Howard flag twirling: "Walking on Sunshine"
8. Averi Harris tap "All For the Best"
9. Cheyenne Little vocal "Brave"
10. Lauren Ford fiddle "Orange Blossom Special"
11. Sierra Smith dance "Listen"
12. Justine Ker piano "Fantasie Impromptu"

Group B

13. LeAnn Nash vocal "Go the Distance"
14. Savannah Bridges poetry reading Original Work
15. Mariah Porterfield-Hammer contemporary lyrical dance "When You Believe"
16. Kelly Bernard vocal "The Greatest Love of All"
17. Rachel Causey piano "Rondo Alla Turca"
18. Jillian Brown lyrical dance "All for the Best"
19. Rebecca Harris vocal "Defying Gravity"
20. Keely Childress piano (selection not available)
21. Logan Travis jazz dance "Hit Me with a Hot Note"
22. Adrienne Ball vocal "Popular"
23. Kelly Humphries piano "Rhapsody in Blue"
24. Meagan Lee jazz en pointe "Canned Heat"
25. Dailey Joy Foster ballet en pointe "Coppelia Finale"

Yet Another State Meeting Picture

Yummy cookies. l-r: Nicole Fairburn, Miss Slidell; Meghan Melder, Miss La Bonne Terre; Carlee McCord, Miss Holiday in Dixie, and Joy Thomason, Miss Louisiana Port City.

State Meeting 2009

Another State Meeting Picture

l-r: Cheyenne Little (teen contestant), Hope Anderson, Miss ULM; April Nelson, Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen; Nicole Fairburn, Miss Slidell; Ravayna Tracey, Miss Spirit of the Red.

More State Meeting Pictures

Miss Louisiana Contestant Lineup

Wednesday AM Interview
Thursday talent/stage question
Friday: evening wear/physical fitness


1. Mandi Ridgdell Louisiana Jazzland vocal: "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries"
2. Lauren Lachney Louisiana Gulf Coast Flute : "Flight of the Bumblebee"
3. Raven Hollins Monroe monologue : "You Raise Me Up"
4. Lauren Abshire Louisiana Tech University vocal : "Astonishing"
5. Kimberly Rusley Calcasieu vocal: "Somewhere"
6. Joy Thomason Louisiana Port City dance: "Sing Sing Sing"
7. Krista Mc Cann Acadiana vocal: "For Once in My Life"
8. Erica Durr Bossier City vocal: "Chi ll Bel Sogno di Doretta"
9. Katherine Putnam Shreveport piano: "Hallelujah Chorus"
10. Valeria Williams Red River City vocal : "Easy as Life"
11. Jenny Russell Dixie Gem Peach vocal: "Winner Takes it All"
12. Hope Anderson University of Louisiana-Monroe dance : "Accentuate the Positive"
13. Becca Price Louisiana Stockshow vocal: "Home"
14. Heather Williams Louisiana Coastal Wetlands vocal: "I Hope You Dance"
15. Brittney Mc Gee Louisiana Watermelon Festival piano: "La Campanella"

Wednesday PM Interview
Thursday Evening Wear/ Physical Fitness
Friday Talent/On stage question



16. Whitney Mixon Pineville dance: "One Night Only"
17. Brittany Pippin Northwestern LOB vocal : "This is My Now"
18. Katie Cook Spirit of Pineville vocal : "When You Believe"
19. Lacy Thibodeaux Crescent City New Orleans dance: "It's All Coming Back To Me Now"
20. Lexie McKenzie Minden dance : "Fallin'"
21. Carlee McCord Holiday In Dixie vocal : "I Surrender"
22. Meghan Melder La Bonne Terre flute: "This is the Moment"
23. Nicole Fairburn Slidell vocal: "Think of Me"
24. Brandy Hotard North Louisiana Bayou vocal : "Anyway"
25. Erin Husbands Baton Rouge piano : "Revolutionary Etude"
26. Ravayna Tracey Spirit of the Red vocal : "Someone Like You"
27. Courtney Haynes Natchitoches City of Lights vocal: "I Believe"
28. Jessica Poumaroux Southeastern La University dance: "Swing Low Sweet Chariot"
29. Kenley Minchew Lafayette dance : "Showoff"

State Meeting 2009

All of the teens, including Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen April Nelson (front center, with crown) at Miss Louisiana State Meeting 2009

State Meeting Gala 2009

These are some of the young women who will be competing for Miss Louisiana and Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen 2009.

Miss Louisiana State Meeting

State meeting is this weekend. I'll be there in spirit, and I'll be getting notes (and hopefully some pics!) from all the goings-on. I'll miss everyone, but will know everyone's having a good time.

Stay tuned for reports from the meeting!