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Engagement in New Jersey

Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Brown of Beachwood, NJ, are pleased to announce the upcoming wedding of their daughter, Christine Marie Brown to Michael Edward O'Sullivan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph O'Sullivan of Lakehurst, NJ. The couple will be wed on the first day of summer, June 21, 2008 at the Saint Barnabas Roman Catholic Church in Bayville, NJ.

Christine was a former champion baton twirler, Int. and Beg. Sr. Miss Majorette of America, College Miss Majorette of New Jersey, Miss New Jersey Hemisphere USA, Miss New Jersey Sunburst USA, and Miss Union County Area 03 in the Miss New Jersey America Organization.

Christine recently graduated Kean University with Summa Cum Laude distinction and is a member of Lambda Alpha Sigma, Alpha Kappa Delta and Phi Kappa Phi, National Honor Societies for academic and scholarly excellence. She currently holds the title of World’s Most Beautiful Miss.

Michael was ranked in the top 5% among American High School Students and was an inductee of " Who's Who Among American High School Students". He graduated from Manchester High School in 1999. Michael is a senior processing technician at Osteotech Inc., of Eatontown, NJ, a global leader in the processing of human bone and connective tissue for transplantation.

The couple will honeymoon in Orlando, Fl and make their hone in Lakehurst, NJ.

Miss Saluda County (SC-MAO) hosts first annual Palmetto Princess Tea Party

The Miss Saluda County (SC-MAO) Queens celebrated a coronation tea party with their Palmetto Princesses on April 16th. During the tea party the queens and local excutive director Heather Riley Shealy came up with ways to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network.

The Miss Summer Blast Pageant will go to support the Miss Saluda County Scholarship Fund which provides scholarships to our queens each year. The Pageant will be held on Sunday, May 4th. The Piggy Pageant will be held in conjunction with the event to raise money for the Children’s Miracle network the national platform charity for the Miss America.

In attendence was Miss Saluda County 2008, Ashley Phipps; Bethany Matthews, Miss Saluda County's Outstanding Teen 2008, and the 2008 Saluda County Palmetto Princesses. If you would like to keep up with Ashley and Bethany visit our website www.misssaludacounty.com!

Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund and His Royal Highness The Prince Edward live on Fox and Friends

On Friday morning, Miss America Kirsten Haglund and HRH the Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex will be the morning guests on Fox & Friends and interviewed by Morning News Co-host and Former Miss America Gretchen Carlson. They will be live from Mississippi to announce the newest initiative for the Miss America Organization...The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Young Americans’ Challenge. They’ll discuss with Gretchen the importance for this award which is for personal achievement and can be obtained by anyone aged 14 to 25.

This Award is featured in 120 countries with over 600,000 students currently participating and the objective is to create and develop life skills for young people. The Award, is non-competitive, available to all, voluntary, flexible, balanced, progressive, focused on personal development, and last-but-certainly-not-least, enjoyable!

Vanessa Williams Finally Earns Diploma

Williams graduated along with 480 other students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The students say they were thrilled to have a big star among them.

“It’s been 25 years since I was a student here. It just brought home what my message was, which is cherish the moment," said Actress Vanessa Williams.Wearing a cap and gown, with orange trim, Vanessa Williams officially became part of the class of 2008.

Williams attended Syracuse's drama department as a musical theater major from 1981-1983. She earned the remaining credits for her degree through industry experience and performances on stage and screen.

Williams said she came back to get her degree, because she wanted to set a good example.

“It’s so great to see her here and for her to speak to us and give us some words of encouragement," said SU Graduate Marie Uchiyama.

Williams currently stars in the ABC hit show “Ugly Betty".

“I was just really proud of my mom and its great to see her up there in a cap and gown," said Vanessa William's Son Devin.

" Yeah, she deserves it and she works really hard and she loves Syracuse so much, so I'm just happy to see her finally graduate," said Daughter Jillian.

Williams has been back to the City of Syracuse several times since her days as student. She say that's because Syracuse holds a special place in her heart. “It’s always a homecoming, it always brings back great memories," said Williams.Turns out her family couldn't be more proud.

“It is fantastic. Its fulfillment, full circle and I'm very very excited and I know her dad is here in spirit," said Vanessa Williams' Mother Helen L. Williams.

She became the first black Miss America in 1983, but surrendered the title in July 1984 after Penthouse magazine published explicit photographs of her taken several years earlier.

Over her career, Williams has sold more than 4 million albums, won critical praise for her performances on Broadway, made dozens of TV appearances and starred in several movies.

She has won a Tony, received two NAACP Image Awards and nine Grammy nominations.

In 1996, Williams received the George Arents Pioneer Medal, the university's most prestigious alumni award.

Vanessa Hunt Whitwell has passed away

Vanessa Whitwell, 34, beloved by her family and endeared to all, fell peacefully into the loving embrace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 6, 2008.

Vanessa was born May 9, 1973 in Waco, Texas. She was raised in and around the HEB area and attended Trinity High School in Euless, Texas. After graduating from high school in 1991, Vanessa received a B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Texas in 1996.

Vanessa’s true gift of music influenced her early career choices, but her heart for God drove her to the ministry. Utilizing her superior singing voice, she toured with Sierra, a contemporary Christian singing group in 1999. Completing that tour, she returned to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and answered a call to work at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. While on staff at Fellowship, Vanessa initially worked in the creative arts department, helping to facilitate worship with her beautiful singing voice; however, her influence expanded during her nine year tenure to a variety of areas within the church including women’s ministry, resources, conferences and events.

Vanessa approached her relationships with a sincere kindness and with a genuine heart for those in need. Known as an encourager and a consummate cheerleader, Vanessa lived with a passionate ferocity for life spreading joy and laughter along the way. She had a strong faith that dictated her choices, and sense of self that empowered all who came in contact with her.

Vanessa will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Andy Whitwell; her parents, Hugh and Lisa Hunt and Myrna Hunt; her sisters, Leslie, Loryn, and Haylee Hunt; her grandmother, Polly Hunt and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Blackwood; along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

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