This was mentioned earlier when we were spotlighting Farrah Armanda Mc Cray so I'll briefly elaborate. I have a personal interest in history so the historical ATTUCKS THEATRE in Norfolk Virginia opened in 1919 and had much history as to the people whom graced it's stage since it's endeavor. Please take a moment to Google and you'll see the magnitude of what I'm speaking. The dressing rooms were spectacular. I did learn early on I would NOT consider using the "THEATRE"(please note I am spelling correctly as this is the way they spell theater) again because it was very expensive and tickets had to be purchased through Ticketmaster as they would accept cash at the box office only for one hour prior to the show and only pre-purchased tickets there after. I LOST SO MUCH MONEY! We know our patrons of pageantry often come late. THIS YEAR I WAS HOPING TO USE MONEY FROM THE DOOR AND WAS DEVASTATED as I had lost my job of 12 years, March of that year of my own fault. I was not prepared for this spiral but learned from it.

 

The competition would also happen the second weekend of June of which this was decided based on wanting our representative to be present at the annual DUVAL PAGEANT in Florida because many of our Representatives prior was a former an needed to be present the very next day. This date would change permanently.

 

The opening production would be an array of different artists from the '70s and '80s. The former's would make a decision on who they were going to represent and each would have a one minute solo part. I would never forget INDIA SPAULDING as she had retired from doing drag and was our MASTER JUDGE at this point as again we never believed in head judges. I would use the former from the prior years stepdown and other select judges to see whom would be permanent. INDIA WOULD PLAY MICHAEL JACKSON IN THE OPENING PRODUCTION. I would also be operating MMI solo from this year on and never consider taking on another partner. My son and co-owner Arthtavia Zentelle-Monroe Devon-Majarome had decided to step back an a few years later, established his own competition for a few years.

 

MMI again would be the first pageant and drag of any sort to be approved and housed in the HISTORICAL THEATRE. Ebonee would be fresh to MMI as she had never competed with us. She spoke with me a few times by phone of her interest in competing just to get the details. I believe she did her homework because she executed the categories very well. I remember distinctly her doing Lena Horne solo for talent and creative evening gown, she wore a gown covered in copper pennies with a sculptured hair to compliment and it was so creatively done and she flowed across the stage. SHE WAS SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL. Please note I don't mention things unless I CLEARLY remember them. She became Miss Models Inc National 2009.

 

Why the MMI Tuna: It's rather simple when you look at her. YOU SEE NOTHING BUT A WOMAN AND IT'S LIKE THE CATCH OF THE SEA (COMPLETE TUNA).

 

The Take-home Crown: Black and clear stones with the logo with year of the representative along with the custom pendant to match.I also requested more stones to be added in the take-home crown.

 

The National Crown: Black and clear stones with logo silhouetted in center with MMI National embedded. This again would only be worn for a National appearances or warranted appearances.

 

I knew early on I would enjoy having this young lady as a representative because she was so pure in nature and was VERY motivating. SHE WAS FROM LOUISIANA and if you know anyone from this particular location (IT'S JUST SOMETHING IN THE WATER THERE BECAUSE THEY JUST TURN OUT TO BE GREAT REPRESENTATIVES). Ebonee would have two photo shoots as I was not too impressed with the first one and certainly not her but rather the photographer. I was grateful to her father, Christopher Higgins for shooting her out of his beautiful home both, inside and out. EBONEE would also be the first to have the DOUBLE CROWN picture as I call it. This would become a SIGNATURE picture for all Representatives.

 

Ebonee would participate in 11 National walks/appearances. She would be booked 21 times during her reign at location such as (Rainbow Cactus, Godfreys, Wave, Ziegfelds, Freddie's, Towns, Scorpios and Chasers, JUST TO NAME A FEW. I WAS PROUD AT EVERY MOMENT. The crowd would be at AW of her BEAUTY.

 

She would also take part with a speaking engagement of one of our support groups here in Norfolk Virginia (TS LADIES TALK) and participate in a photo shoot for one of our agencies here formerly known as Candii House "ACCESS AIDS CARE" an known today as LGBT LIFE CENTER where her hands would be used as a campaign ad. I mention this as the type of work you see her doing today, she was volunteering her expertise as Miss Models Inc. She's ALWAYS been a GIVER and NEVER seeking a handout. SHE BECAME THE FIRST OF MY #TOP5 REIGNS OF ALL TIMES. She would also take over the newcomer division for MMI (MMI NEWBY) of which I'll mention details of this when it took place. Thank you Miss Sherry for your beautiful spirit and showcasing the prime example of BEAUTY and BRAINS are possible. She would also offer a BIG donation to MMI a few years later and I was BLOWN away. I will make mention of it when we are there.