What a year of changes in 2005. My son and co-owner Arthtavia Zentelle-Monroe Devon-Majarome would often get a little irritated with me because he felt I was spending too much money.   I felt at times I did, but felt it was needed to set presidents for the future of MMI. Although ODU theater was available this particular year of which the competition would be as normal 3rd Saturday, Father's Day weekend.

 

I felt we needed to be at a location with a higher scale as well technology.  My eyes was on making history as I'm a history fanatic.  The Chrysler Museum Theatre was of that scale and NEVER had pageantry or drag of any sort in the location.  I said to myself "I don't care how much it cost", we will be at the Chrysler.
 

Shanice solicited Reggie Hobbs to do her hair and makeup. She wore a silver two piece sportswear with authentic Manolo blahnik shoes and had an escort crawling on the ground to give a dramatic effect while she guided him with a rope around his neck. She wore a hooded creative evening gown and dropped the hood with dramatic hair.  She brought a new flair to MMI as to how she define the categories.  SHE COMPETED UNFORGETTABLY.

 

I made a solicit to a crown company called Crystal Crowns as I had a vision in my mind for a custom crown.  I received the crown 3 weeks prior to the competition.  I tried so hard to pretend to be happy with it and REALISTICALLY never was but due to how expensive it was with very POOR quality metal, I HAD TO DIGRESS AND USE IT.

 

I will discuss some of the names it was called next Monday.

 

The Take Home Crown: Clear and Black stones scattered through the entire crown

 

The National Crown: 14-in clear with MMI National embellished in the front of the crown 

 

Why The MMI Body?

 

Shanice was a perfectionist and was amongst the group of girls who would be the first body girls within the Norfolk area.  She would spare no expense with her transition.  She had a lower body that was of a perfect 10 (hourglass). The name was perfect for her. 

 

Shanice was preparing for Continental so we began many local things as per bookings and appearances to give her time to prepare for Continental in September.  We would increase her visibility after that time. 

 

What I enjoy the most about Shanice during the reign was how she would spare no expense to wear the BEST of quality. During her MMI photo shoot we made a solicit to the LEGENDARY, Angel St. James for makeup/hair and beautiful job.  Now Shanice always felt she was real and she was so she refused to wear a lot of makeup during her photo shoot.

 

We didn't always see eye to eye on certain things during her reign and becoming a former but we made it work.  We respected one another and handled things as adults.

 

Tragically we lost Shanice in September of 2015 in Chicago Illinois.  As mentioned she was a perfectionist and thought she needed to have more body work so she went under the needle for one last time and unfortunately did not make it.   She is certainly a testament to our area and we miss her bubbly and very dramatic spirit.

 

We began to honor her in 2016 with the "MMI Body Award" and have been given out to four recipients to date.  WE LOVE HER AND HERE AT MMI WILL ASSURE HER LEGACY IS NEVER FORGOTTEN!