Pageant News Bureau - Miss Emerald Coast USA

What did they do right at the first-ever Miss Emerald Coast USA Pageant? A lot of things, we're sure. But one thing stands out.

They made their debut on television.

Fifty years after beauty contests first reached the small screen, TV is proving itself again as a vital medium in the pageant world. The Internet is certainly indispensable -- just ask the pioneering geniuses at www.pageant.com -- but television is more than ever the holy grail for pageants seeking to raise their profile. And nothing inspires future competitors like watching other girls compete.

In the past 15 years, some pageants have let their TV exposure slip away. These contests have shrunk like glaciers in the grip of global warming. What the pageant world needs now is not less TV, but more.

And Miss Emerald Coast USA is a local televised pageant. How often do you see that? It was held in November 2003 in Panama City, Fla., and shown by the local station FOX28.

Lauren Howell, 22, of Panama City was crowned Miss Emerald Coast USA, and will represent the Panhandle at Miss Florida USA. The first runner-up was Lindsey McCurley of Panama City, and the second runner-up was Brittan Newton of Destin. The third runner-up was Liberty Williams of Defuniak Springs, and the fourth runner-up was Leslie Registar of Defuniak Springs.

Kimberly Wright, 15, of Destin was crowned Miss Emerald Coast Teen USA. Alyx Reynolds of Panama City was the first runner-up, and the second runner-up was Ashley Nancy of Defuniak Springs. The third runner-up was Noelle Stevens of Lynn Haven, and the fourth runner-up was Courtney Miller of Defuniak Springs.

By a vote of fellow contestants, Lulu Orange of Panama City was chosen Miss Congeniality in the Miss Competition, and Ms. Reynolds was selected as Miss Congeniality for the Teens. Rachel Cole of Defuniak Springs won Miss Photogenic in the Miss Category, and Ms. Reynolds won that honor in the Teen competition. And it was all on television.

Are we talking too much about TV? Do you think we're trying to encourage you to be couch potatoes? Not at all. Get off that couch! Get down on the floor so you can see the screen better.

Kimberly Wright (left) hears the winning words.

Lauren Howell, Miss Emerald Coast USA, and her court: Ffirst runner-up Lindsey McCurley, second runner-up Brittan Newton, third runner-up Liberty Williams and fourth runner-up Leslie Registar.