Miss Kansas

Although we've never met Miss Kansas 2011, Carissa Kelley, we imagine her to be one of those girls who went into Miss America anticipating the chance to have as much FUN as could possibly be crammed into 10 days!  It's that 'delightful spirit' about her that made us crack up when we saw this photo of her at Bucca Di Beppo in Las Vegas (she's on the far left)...  She's got that look on her face... you know she had to have just grabbed Miss New Hampshire's hand and squeezed all that marinara sauce in between their palms before anyone could object!  So Funny!!!

Miss Kansas looks to be quite competitive this year... the 1st, 2nd and 4th runner ups are all back, plus many who've competed previously.  Interesting note... of the past 3 Miss Kansas', only one of those girls even won a preliminary award during Miss Kansas week!  You just never know who's name is going to be called when it's time to announce the winner...

But here's what we do know...

Best Junkie Research Tool:  The Miss Kansas site has a pretty good breakdown of everything you need... including the order in which the girls will compete.  Check it out here...

Items of Note:  With 31 girls competing, you're bound to get a variety of Talents.  This year, besides the usual vocals and dances, there's several instrumentalists including 2 piano players, a flute, a violin, and not 1, but 2 saxophones!  Kansas crowned a Trumpeter in Becki Ronen in '09 as well as Trumpeter Laura Watters in '83 (your way-back fact of the day)... so no problem with instrumentalists winning this state!

Kansas History:  Miss Kansas has produced 3 Miss Americas... Deborah Bryant in 66, Debra Barnes in 68, and Tara Holland in 97 (she's the one you see at the beginning of the movie 'Little Miss Sunshine'). :)

Who to Watch: Much like Miss Alabama, Miss Kansas is going to be a dog-fight and lots of different girls could win this year.  Here's who you should know...

Caitlin Taylor - 1st runner up in '11, prelim talent (flute) and swimsuit winner in '11

Hannah Langley - 2nd runner up in '11, strong interview

Belinda Post - 4th runner up in '11, 1st runner up in '10, prelim talent (baton twirler) and prelim swimsuit winner in '11

Hillary Boyle - 4th runner up in '10, prelim talent winner in '10, beautiful voice

Sloane Lewis - competed in Kansas National Miss, KS Teen USA and KS US International, piano

Ashley Ulmer - our 'intriguing contestant'... she's returning from 09, 10 and 11, she's recently been working out at an 'ultimate fighting' gym (seriously - how many contestants are doing THAT??? Google her name and videos!) and now has a rock-hard body (front row, far right in this photo)

This photo was taken during orientation week this past Spring...  Don't forget - Kansas is one of those states where the prelim winners won't necessarily guarantee the crown!  That's what makes it a dog-fight!

All the Best to Miss KS!!!  Junkie Love Runneth Over!!! :)

MAJ