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Friends,
Where do I begin...?
I am overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love, support, offers and
kind words
from everyone over the last couple of days. I am overjoyed and my heart is
full. Being called
out and crowned the 40th Anniversary Miss Gay Arkansas is a dream come true.
There are so many people who I need to thank and acknowledge. I hope I don't
forget anyone.
First and foremost to the Judges of Miss Gay Arkansas America - Dominique
Sanchez, Ron
Standridge, Aron Aranda, Nick Eichler and Aaron Beckham, I thank you from
the bottom of
my heart. You had a difficult task the entire weekend. You had the opportunity
to meet and
judge 10 of the finest men who were competing for the title of Miss Gay Arkansas
America.
I hope I do you all proud.
To the Arkansas Alumni Committee & my Miss Gay Arkansas Sisters - I hope
that I make each
and every one of you proud as I begin this journey. A journey that each of
you has taken and
have paved for each new Miss Gay Arkansas. I hope that when there is a bump
in this path that
I can reach out to any of you for support and guidance. I will do my best
to continue the Legacy
of Miss Gay Arkansas America that began with the one and only Norman Jones/
Norma Kristie,
to whom I say simply, thank you. You will never know how many people you have
touched in
your lifetime, myself included.
To Vicki Valentine, my mother - I began this crazy chapter with you. You took
me under your
wing and guided me, loved me and bestowed upon me the knowledge you have to
help me
become the entertainer and competitor that I am. You are more than my mother...you
are
my best friend. I have my wings now momma, watch me fly. I am your daughter
your friend,
your sister and I am Miss Gay Arkansas America 2011 because of you. I will
forever be grateful.
I love you.
Kamrin Mikaels, my true Sister - There was never any doubt in your mind that
I would someday
be Miss Gay Arkansas. I treasure every word of advice you've ever given me.
You have always
been there for me and have always understood me when most didn't. I'm lucky
to know you and
to call you my friend, my sister. I love you. I am excited to have you travel
this journey with me.
To my closest friends who have been there from the very beginning. I finally
say to you, WE DID
IT! What an amazing and incredible journey this has been.
To Shane Cranford, you have been with me from the very beginning of all of
this. You have helped
me, dressed me and calmed me down at Miss Arkansas and Miss America. You made
sure I was
always at my best even when I didn't feel it. I will always be grateful to
you for never leaving my
side when it counted the most.
To my dancers, past and present, Daniel Felts, Michael Akers, Tim Acosta,
Orlando Walker &
Tyrone Connors - I'm a winner in every aspect because you all helped me shine.
You are all my
friends and I am so very grateful that our paths have crossed in life. You
all gave in time, talent,
love and support. I am indebted to you all.
To my many, many friends who have helped me along the way as I attempted to
reach my goal
of becoming Miss Gay Arkansas - To you I simply say Thank You! Words could
not express what
it has meant to me to have so many supporters who always knew that one day
I would be Miss
Gay Arkansas.
To my Diamond State Bears...you know who you all are. You have all loved me,
supported me
and helped me in so many, many ways. You stood by me even when you never really
understood
my goal, my passion and my desire to be Miss Gay Arkansas. I will forever
hold each of you in my
heart. I love you.
Thank you Jay Zoda/Montana Reed for keeping me together and dressing me. For
simply being
my friend. I hope you'll come along for the ride.
Thank you Jeff Germany for carting me around. You are a true friend.
Thank you Seth Francis, my little brother. For making me beautiful and for
just being who you are.
To my Miss Gay Arkansas Competitors, I simply say this. It was my pleasure
and my honor to compete
alongside you. Anyone of us would make a wonderful Miss Gay America. You all
have my respect and
admiration.
It was an amazing weekend and one that will forever be a part of me. We all
have the dream of
becoming the next Miss Gay Arkansas America. It is one we all strive for,
work for and dedicate
our craft for. Please keep that dream alive. It is important that we continue
the Legacy. I hope
you'll hold on to that dream and one day be a part of it.
I will always be available to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me.
To My first alternate, Jazmyn Turrelle...Girl all I can say is we are going
to Miss Gay America! I'm so
very proud of you. I hope you know I'm here for you. I feel as though we have
become closer and
through this experience together we will become thick as thieves and forever
friends. I love you!
Congratulations Shawn Tyler Andrews on your reign. I will look to you sister.
I am sure I'll have
many questions along the way.
To Miss Gay America, Coti Collins. You were beautiful and amazing all weekend.
You are the finest of
the finest. A true Symbol of Excellence. I thank you for all of your kind
words of love and encouragement.
I thank you all for everything! For your love and support, I am both humbled
and excited and hope
that it will be a memorable year.
I apologize in advance if I have left anyone out, it was not intentional.
Eternally Grateful,
Zia D'Yor
Miss Gay Arkansas America 2011