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“From
A to Zia” - September
My perspective on my year as Miss Gay Arkansas America
It's what every competitor dreams of...hearing their name
being called out as the next Symbol of Excellence, the next
Miss Gay Arkansas America.
I am beyond grateful that my dream to be Miss Gay Arkansas
America has become my reality. All things are possible if you
believe. I am truly humbled, yet excited to be your Miss Gay
Arkansas America 2011.
I hope each and every one of you strive, reach and attain your
dreams. Our lives are enriched by our hopes and dreams. Never
give up on them and never look back. For what you want to achieve,
regardless of what it is, is within your grasp. Reach out, take hold
and make it happen.
What a whirlwind beginning to my journey. I have been overwhelmed
with calls and messages. To all of you have contacted me with well
wishes and support, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
After being crowned Miss Gay Arkansas I was off for a few days for my long
awaited
vacation to Miami and Orlando Florida. This trip was a welcomed relief after
months of
planning and preparing for the State Pageant. I'm so thankful I was able to
see my
friends and family on this trip. My love, thanks and gratitude to Geoff S.
for making this
trip possible and for making me feel special every leg of my trip.
Now I'm back home and ready to hit the ground running! It's going to be a
busy few
weeks not just for myself, but for my first alternate and sister, Jazmyn Turelle
as we
prepare to compete at the National Level. Miss Gay America 2012 will be held
in Columbus
Ohio, October 12-16, 2011. I am very excited to be returning to Miss Gay America
as the
reigning Miss Gay Arkansas America. I look forward to seeing old friends and
making new
ones. To competing and to challenge myself, to strive to do my best among
the best. It is
my wish that the State of Arkansas be well represented at Miss Gay America.
I'm confident
that Jazmyn and I will shine and make our home state proud.
I believe this will be a great year for Miss Gay Arkansas America. With a
foundation of 40
years, I want to make it a memorable year. I have a lot to do and welcome
the challenges
that will come with this position. I hope you will all come along for the
ride.
Remember that it is never too early to begin thinking about your package for
the next
preliminary pageant season. Think about what the judges have said to you and
then take
it to the next level. I urge each of you to utilize the knowledge and assistance
of the former
Miss Gay Arkansas’ to help you achieve your goals. I will also be available
to you to answer
any questions you may have and help guide you on your journey to Miss Gay
Arkansas America.
Very recently the community of Fort Smith Arkansas and a sister to many of
us in the Miss
Gay Arkansas family, lost one of its own. Wilfred Ramone Smith was known to
many as
Barbie Grant. Barbie passed away suddenly over the Labor Day Weekend. He was
a fixture
in the gay community in Fort Smith and was loved by so many. Barbie began
his career in
female impersonation in 1993 and proceeded to have a long and lengthy career.
Working
for Norman Jones he obtained the foundation he needed to begin his journey
in female
impersonation. As Barbie Grant he graced many stages and eventually would
become
involved in pageantry. A true competitor in every way, Barbie competed in
several pageants
and held many, many titles. Most recently Barbie was crowned Miss Gay Regal
Excellence
United States. I had the privilege and honor of having competed alongside
her at Miss Gay
Arkansas America. She always had a kind word for everyone and always knew
how to make
someone feel special. I don’t know if she will ever know how many people
she touched, but
she will be greatly missed by her friends, family and community. The Miss
Gay Arkansas family
wishes to extend their condolences to the family and friends of Barbie Grant.
You will be
greatly missed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my sister, Shawn Tyler Andrews.
In a recent
conversation I was pondering what I wanted my newsletter title to be and what
I wanted
it to represent. She rambled off "From A to Zia ". I loved it immediately
and my newsletter
was born! Thank you sister!
My newsletter, “From A to Zia” will be a perspective of my year.
My take on things and what's
happening during my reign. It will cover everything and anything that I do
as Miss Gay Arkansas
including preparations or the next preliminary season. I hope you'll enjoy
reading it.
In closing, I leave you with this; Reach for your dreams no matter how small
or how large
they may be. Life is too short to take anything for granted. A lesson that
many of us learned
very recently. Don’t take things too seriously because in the end, it
doesn’t matter. What
matters is what we’ve given to others in our lives. Live well, Laugh
often and Love hard.
With Love,
Zia D’Yor
Miss Gay Arkansas America 2011
ZiaMGAR2011@gmail.com
501-650-3373