MISS AFRICA USA PAGEANT CONCLUDES 2012 SEMI FINALS IN A GRAND RED CARPET BALL IN MARYLAND DEC 1 2012
The Miss Africa USA Semi Finals 2012 Saturday Dec 1st 2012, a remarkable night in the 8year history of the Miss Africa USA Pageant. 45 young African Women from across The United States of America, with various educational backgrounds ranging from Medical Students, to International Relations, Political Sciences to Phamacists and Economists, graced the Hampton Conference Center to give it their best shot at qualifying for a spot in the Grand Finals of the Pageant in 2013. Of the 125 contestants who applied and auditioned for the Pageant this year, only 45 were selected for the Semi Finals. The Semi Finals which included a training workshop on activities such as public speaking, modeling, fashion and interviews took place during the day on Dec 1st while the girls were being judged at the same time. They then had to make their debut at the Grand Red Carpet Ball later that same evenning. An event which attracted 300 Guests including some Very Important Personalities, Elected Officials, African Diplomats, Business men and women and Community leaders. Personalities from the Pageant world also showed up in their numbers to support the girls. The Event which was Chaired by Dr. Aretha Makia also had on the Guest of Honor List: Mrs Hope Sullivan Masters, CEO of The Leon H Sullivan Foundation and Honorary Chair of Miss Africa USA Pageant, Her Excellency Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, Kenya’s Ambassador to The United Nations. The Production was Directed by non other than Mr. Kyle Haggerty of Haggerty and Associates. He has been serving as The Miss Africa USA Pageant Production Director since 2006. He did such a fantastic job in bringing the best out of the girls and giving each one an opportunity to put their best foot forward. Kyle Haggerty who is also the Author of a New Book in the Pageant Industry that everyone is talking about “Producing Winners” is a great talent coach who has managed, trained and produced reputable title holders in some of America’s top National Pageants. He enjoys working with the Miss Africa USA Pageant because of its diversity and international appeal. He did a great job again this year in Directing the pageant and played a vital role in selecting the best Delegates to represent at the finals. The competition was tough for the girls who had to struggle for the sole place to represent their countries because some countries had multiple contestants. Kenya for example had three very beautiful, educated and ambitious young ladies. Each had something special and their causes were very strong indeed. In the end, Dr. Marie Ojiambo, a full time student in New York City, Studying Industrial Pharmacy was honored with the crown to represent Kenya in the 2013 Grand Finals of Miss Africa USA. She vows to raise awareness and leverage support for people suffering with Sickle Cell Disease, an illness that she has lived with all her life. Pre-elimination had been done for countries like Uganda and Angola so the girls from these countries were happy to show off their skills and talents and accept their places in the Miss Africa USA Finals. A country like Guinea has a confirmed place in the Pageant because Miss Africa USA Pageant has a contract with the Miss Guinea North America Pageant to sponsor their reigning Queen to enter the competition and represent Guinea. It was an honor therefore to receive the reigning Miss Guinea North America, Miss Souadou Drame from Canada, Pictured above in the middle. Miss Africa USA will continue its efforts to collaborate with other African Pageants to sponsor their winners to compete in the Miss Africa USA Pageant each year to give the girls more opportunities and more exposure. Cameroon was another country that had a very stiff competion. Miss Larissa Ngangoum hailed as the favorite in this race and she will be representing Cameroon at the finals of Miss Africa USA Pageant, come June 2013. Her runner up was Miss Cynthia Talla. Pictured above are the Cameroonian Contestants, Miss Larissa Ngangoum, Miss Hurlere Ndjousi, Miss Cynthia Talla and Miss Liz Njie. Other Countires with a tight race were Nigeria where 4 delegates competed for the spot and the Place went to Miss Kathy Onwu. For Ethiopia there were two contestants and the finals place went to Miss Maereg Terefe from Illinois. Finally Ghana also had quite a challenging race and Miss Alice Gyamfi took up that place for Ghana. The Reigning Queen, Gigi Tchouaga poses with the Finalsits