Pageant News Bureau - Texas Galaxy

2004 Texas U.S. Galaxy

Since the dawn of time, the number 40 has had special significance. Think about it: 40 days and 40 nights . . . 40 years in the wilderness . . . 40 acres and a mule . . . Ali Baba and the 40 thieves . . . "Life begins at 40."

And best of all, 40 women. That's the number who competed at the 2004 Texas U.S. Galaxy Pageant on the night of June 8, 2003. Such a perfect group. It was ashamed to break them up. But there was judging to be done. This was a pageant, after all.

Queens-Hosts: (From left) Kyle Mills, broadcaster and host: Larissa Taylor, Miss Teen Texas U.S. Galaxy 2004; Kristin Howsley, Miss Texas U.S. Galaxy 2004; Vera Fuqua, Mrs. Texas U.S. Galaxy 2004; Co-host Holly Mills-Gardner, Miss Texas USA 1998.

Then there were three. Did you ever think about how many times you hear the number three? "Three Coins in the Fountain," "Three Blind Mice," the Three Graces, the Three Stooges (nyuk, nyuk), "The Three Faces of Eve."

And the three faces of Texas: Larissa Taylor, Miss Teen Dallas County, crowned as Miss Teen Texas U.S. Galaxy 2004; Kristin Howsley, Miss Central Texas, crowned as Miss Texas U.S. Galaxy 2004; and Vera Fuqua, crowned as Mrs. Texas U.S. Galaxy 2004.

There were some other cute numbers: Chelsea Carter, first runner-up in Teen; Krystal Keller, second runner-up in Teen; Traci Quiñones, first runner-up in Miss; Sabrina Hubbard, second runner-up in Miss; Holly Hernandez, first runner-up in Mrs.; Kimberly Murphy, second runner-up in Mrs.

That's the sum of it. Women look beautiful in groups. And when you look at them as individuals, they're even better.

Photos courtesy of Terri Dingle

Beauties on board