SHORT BIOS FOR ‘CERTIFIED’ JUDGES FOR MISS MISSOURI LOCAL PAGEANTS
(See “Contact Information List” for details and Certification dates)
ERMA JEAN ARMSTRONG
* Background as a Registered Nurse; now retired
* Co-Director of the Miss Moberly Pageant & experienced judge
* Active in church, member of DAR & VFW Auxiliary;
* Married to Carl & mother of 2 sons (one who just returned from the middle East)
DWIGHT BROWNE
(No resume on file)
JOYCE BUXTON
* Graduate of Iowa State with a degree in Interior Design & has worked in the industry for 30 years
* Finalist for Springfield’s Chamber of Commerce ‘Small Business Owner of the Year’
* Named by Springfield’s 417 Magazine, as one of 2007’s “Most Influential Women”
* Married to Phil Buxton and mother to Audrey, a 21 year old college student
BRIAN CALFANO
* Associate Professor of Political Science, Missouri State University.
* Ph.D. from University of North Texas State University
* Enjoys music, football, history, and flying
* Experienced judge
LUCAS CASE
* Publicist for several entertainers and politicians
* Contributor to Huffington Post News Agency
* Played piano professionally, and judged numerous talent contests in Nashville, TN
* Aspiring political servant / elected official
CONNIE (MAXWELL) COX
* BA in Political Science from James Madison University
* Co-owns (with husband, Rob) an accounting firm in Mexico
* Board member of the Mexico Chamber of Commerce & Mexico Jaycees
* New mother to a baby boy, William, born in June of 2012
BARBARA (WEBSTER) DAY
* Miss Missouri 1983; Preliminary Talent winner (fiddle) at Miss America, and “Top 10” finalist
* Graduate of Central Missouri State University
* Owner of Wine 101 in Warrensburg
* Resides outside Warrensburg with her husband, Steve.
CAROLYN DRAGOO
(No resume on file)
LAYLA EARL
* Graduate degrees in Business Admin & HealthCare Service Admin; Undergrad degrees in Vocal Perf. & Mathematics
* 20 year healthcare and insurance executive
* Performed professionally the roles of Eponine; Belle and Despina
* Very active with my church and volunteering within my community
ABBY EDEN
* Graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in Radio/Television Journalism, Minor in Spanish
* 10 p.m. anchor and reporter for Fox 4 TV News in Kansas City
* Competed in Miss Missouri system, 1st RU in the 2007 Miss MO Pageant
* Passionate about running and fitness in general
SUSAN FIELDLER
* Has served for 16 years as an administrative assistant for the Springfield Public Schools
* Is a Cheerleader and Pep Club sponsor
* Co-Director for the Springfield Area pageant(s) for Miss Missouri & Missouri’s Outstanding Teen
* Has judged many pageant programs in 5 states
DON FITZGERALD
* Graduate of Central MO State with a degree in Commercial Arts
* Involved in various aspects of pageantry for the past 23 years
* Works as a freelance designer and building contractor
* Married and lives in Richmond; Dad to Lacey Fitzgerald (Miss MO 2008)
SHIRLEY GILBERT
* Former Director for the Miss Southwest MO Pageant for many years
* Served on the local panel that selected Debbye Turner en route to her Miss America victory
* Currently employed in the home furnishings department of Sutherland Lumber & Home Furnishings
* She is also the director of a national pageant program for Little Miss contestants
SARAH (Wiseman) GOODAPPLE
* Competed twice at the Miss Missouri Pageant. Was a non-finalist Talent winner
* Bachelor of Social Work from Western Illinois University
* Currently works as a graphic designer with the Assemblies of God World Mission Headquarters
* Has traveled to 22 countries on church mission trips
TINA GOOLSBY
* Bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems from Columbia College.
* Director of the Phelps County Fair, Holiday Pageant and Miss Route 66 programs in Rolla, Missouri.
* Outstanding Teen director for the Miss Pulaski County Scholarship Program in Waynesville, MO
* Member of Toastmasters International
DANA HESINGTON
* Graduate of University of Kentucky with a degree in Diabetes Education
* Mother of six boys
* Founder of Pro Life Center, serving the counties of Barry, Lawrence, and Stone.
* Judged both local and stage pageants in the Miss America and Miss USA systems
REBECCA HOCKER
* 38 years of experience with the Miss Moberly Pageant
* 10 years of substitute teaching / retired with 31 years of experience with Wal-Mart;
* Volunteer with charitable fund raiser(s)
* Training in Flute
MARK HOLCOMB
* Formerly on Board of Miss Greater Kansas City Pageant
* All-State and High School ‘Show Choir’ judge; Has judged local Miss America preliminary pageants
* Curriculum Development Specialist: Concorde Career Colleges
* Holds Degrees: Voice from the University of Missouri-Columbia; & a Master’s degree in Curriculum
and Instruction; and a Masters in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City
STEVE HUSTER
* Graduated from Florissant Valley Comm. College/American Institute of Banking with a degree in Banking & Finance
* Employed by CitiMortgage as Assistant VP in the Investor Support Division
* Part-time reporter for the website MoSports.com, covering Missouri H.S. sports
* Chairman of the past four (5 year) class reunions of my High School
TAMMY JACKSON
(No resume on file)
VIVIAN JOHNSON
(No resume on file)
DEANN JONES
* Has worked in the education field for 28 years
* Currently the Director of an Education Cooperative providing counseling to 15 southwest MO schools
* Pageant Fan whose daughter competed in the Miss MO Pageant
* Serves as a volunteer for special events at her church
DENA JONES
* Graphic Designer for national advertising company
* Former Phelps County Junior Miss (H.S. senior)
* Avid pageant fan since childhood
* Pageant mom of 11 year old daughter
RAYMOND JUMP
* Graduated from Univ. of CO with a degree in History & from Ft. Hays State Univ. with a Master’s degree in Music Educ.
* Currently employed with Coca-Cola as a Fleet Clerk
* Has judged numerous local pageants in AR, KS, IA, OK and MO. Has judged one state level pageant
* Married for 37 years and parent to two daughters and one son. Has 2 grandsons & 2 granddaughters
ASHLEY (HICKEY) KILE
* Former 3-time title holder in the Miss MO Pageant; ‘Top 10’ finalist in 2006
* Master’s degree in Educ. Admin., Taught Elementary school for 6 years
* Background in classical piano
* Stay-at-home mom, but also teach pre-school and report news for Lake TV station
JEFF KILE
* Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education (MU); Master’s in Educ. Admin. (Wm Woods)
* Currently the Band Director at School of the Osage Middle and High School(s)
* Assists with the Miss Lake of the Ozarks Pageant (Production & talent consultant)
* Married to Ashley (Hicks) former Miss MO contestant
EMILY LANE
* Competed at the Miss Missouri pageant twice, received the MMO Character Award
* Graduate of MSU with a degree in Communication Studies
* Currently pursuing her Master’s Degree & working as a speech therapist for special needs children
* Runs marathons and serves on the Miss Springfield-Branson Board
AMBER LANGSTON
* Former member of board for Miss North Central Arkansas Pageant
* Former director of Miss N.C. Arkansas Princess pageant and Darlings of the Ozarks
* Wardrobe pageant consultant for Rebekah Lane Formalwear of Harrison, Ark.
* Graphic and Web Design degree from Univ. of AR, currently employed with Bass Pro General Offices in Springfield
STEPHANIE LIEBENGOOD
* Small business owner from Overland Park, KS
* Avid competitive runner, cheerleading coach, and community volunteer
* Enjoys teaching modeling and etiquette, studying current fashion trends
* Married for 18 years, and mother of 2 daughters
ANITA LEWIS (Mrs. Wes Lewis)
* Employed as an Early Childhood Educator with the Cox Health system in Springfield
* Has a daughter who competes in the Outstanding Teen program
* Pageant Fan who loves to volunteer and attend pageants
* Married to Wes for 22 years and mother to a son and a daughter
WES LEWIS
* Works as a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist at Cox Medical Center
* Has judged both Miss and Outstanding Teen local pageants in southwest Missouri
* Became involved in pageants through his daughter who began competing at age 12
* Married to Anita for 22 years and father to a son and a daughter
CONNIE LIPSCOMB
* Co-owner of Lipscomb Auto Group
* Full-time substitute teacher for Middle School
* Member of the Miss Springfield-Branson Board
* ‘Pageant Mom’ for many years (until daughter moved to Texas for college)
KELLEY (Rohlfing) MARCHBANKS
* Director of Development for Oregon State University-College of Veterinarian Medicine
* Former Miss MO finalist, former Miss MO-USA semi-finalist, and MO State Fair Queen
* Has judged in numerous pageant systems
* Classically trained in vocal music; performed with numerous music groups & is active in comm./regional theater
ROBIN (RILEY) MARTIN
* Miss MO 1987; ‘Top 10’ finalist at the 1988 Miss America Pageant;
* Professional singer, dancer & actress for 20 years (Worked at Disney World & Universal Studios-Orlando)
* BFA in Dance from Stephens College;
* New York trained certified Pilates Instructor & owner of Pilates of Columbia
SHARI McCALLISTER
* Executive Director of the Miss Texas County Pageant
* Has judged numerous local pageants; Currently V.P. of the MO Local Pageant Association
* Owner of D&L Florist for over 22 years. Published designer in floral magazines
* Recipient of the Sam Walton Business Leader Award
DEBRA (DANIELS) McDANNOLD
* Miss Arizona Teen USA in 1979, and Miss Arizona 1982
* ‘Top 10’ finalist at the 1982-83 Miss America Pageant
* Host of Talk Show, “Powder River Review”
* Training in Dance & Gymnastics, Motivational Speaker
TONI MESSINA
* Graduated from the University of Missouri with degrees in Journalism and Public Administration
* Currently employed with the City of Columbia, Missouri in the fields of intergovernmental relations, history and heritage
* First year of judging pageants; also certified as a Missouri Quality Examiner and National History Day judge
* Married for 38 years
BEVERLY MEUSCHKE
(No resume on file)
GENE MEUSCHKE
(No resume on file)
LESLIE MEYER
* Graduate of Univ. of Central MO, with a degree in Journalism and minor in Speech Communications
* Currently employed as the sales manager for KWWR and KXEO radio station(s)
* Have served on the Miss Audrain Pageant Board for 3 years
* Married for 11 years with 2 daughters and 1 son
KENDELL MISEMER
* Involved 20 years in pageant system. Director of Miss Maryville, Miss NW, Miss NW Counties & Outstanding Teen
* Diversified farmer: cattle, hogs, raw crops
* Missouri Western State University Alumni Board for 30 years
* Single and likes to dance
JENNIFER NEWMAN
* Graduate of Drury and the Univ. of MO College of Law
* Attorney with the Newman Law Firm and practices in the area of personal injury and workers comp.
* Member of the Miss Springfield-Branson Board & has audited numerous local pageants
* Regularly attends the Miss Missouri Pageant, and has attended the Miss America Pageant
SEANICA REINEKE-OTTERBY
* Bachelors of Journalism degree, University of Nebraska
* Previous local title holder / Miss Missouri Pageant
* 20 years of experience in dance (competitive dancer for 15 years)
(Not eligible to judge Miss, but would like to Judge O.T.)
JOYCE REDMON
* Loan Officer for 20 years. Currently employed by BancorpSouth in the Mortgage Department
* Lifetime lover the the Arts
* Has performed with the Mid-America Singers, Springfield Regional Opera, & numerous other groups
* Member of her church choir and also performs in vocal ensembles and solo work
CORKY REINEKE
* Involved as director, judge, parent in MAO since 1989
* Undergrad degree in vocal music; Masters in Early Child Education
* Competitive dance mom for 19 years
* Employed as Parent Educator with Parents As Teachers
PAM RICHTER
(No resume on file)
KAREN RIEGLER
* Director of Marketing –Outreach-Education, Credo Dance Academy
* Substitute Teacher with the Springfield Schools
* Spent several summers in NY working with Summer Intensive Ballet programs
* Mother of 3 daughters
KATE RIEGLER
* Director of the Credo Dance Academy in Springfield
* Professional Dancer with the Texas Ballet Theatre & is an Assoc. of the Royal Academy of Dance in London
* Currently volunteers & serves as a court appointed Advocate for abused and neglected children
* Loves to cook, go to college football games and travel
YVE ROJAS
* Graduate of the Univ. of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with a degree in Political Science
* Contestant on CBS’ series “Survivor-Nicaragua” (Season 21)
* Actress / Motivational Speaker / Trained Auctioneer
* Mother of 2 daughters; Resides in Kansas City, MO
TERRI ROHLFING
(No resume on file)
MISSY SHUCKLEY
(No resume on file)
JULIE SMITH
(No resume on file)
GREG SORELL
* Retired Air Force Firefighter
* Degrees in Business and Fine Arts (Musical Theatre)
* Pageant volunteer and Judge in MAO for past 15 years
* Family Man
BROOKE STEPHENS (Mr.)
* Musical Director with numerous shows in Springfield and Branson
* Vocalist/pianist in many touring shows and cruise ships; Played saxophone with the Jimmy Dorsey Band
* Has done numerous Voice-Overs and singing in commercials and regional spots
* Licensed Make-Up artist and Hair stylist with over 20 years of experience with actors & performers
LANE TETERS
* MU Graduate and a former, 2-time Semi-Finalist in the Miss Missouri Pageant
* Trained in vocal music, dance and musical theatre
* Studied with the Joffrey Ballet Company in NYC, & Member of the Springfield Ballet Company
* Currently volunteering with the Miss Springfield-Branson Pageants
MELANIE UTTERBACK
* Graduate of U of MO with a degree in Agribusiness Mgt and minor in Hotel and Restaurant Mgt.
* Currently employed at Brenda Wilburn Crop Insurance
* Have served on the Miss Audrain Board for 1 year
* Married to husband Andy for little over 1 year
KIRSTEN WEISS
* Bachelors & Masters degrees in violin and viola performance
* Has performed with the Symphony’s in Omaha, Cedar Rapids, Peoria and Springfield
* Has appeared with the Lawrence Welk Show in Branson & at Disney World in Orlando
* Currently studying Nursing at Cox College of Nursing in Springfield
LINDA WEYER
(No resume on file)
WENDY WHITE
* Currently employed with the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce as the Executive Director;
* Graduated from Central MO State University with a Master’s degree in Educ. Admin.
* Background in Business, Education and Marketing;
* Executive Director of the Miss Lake of the Ozarks Pageant
BARB WILKEN
* Master’s Degree in Education; Retired Reading Specialist
* Have served in the Miss America System 30 years
* Board of Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen 2005 to Present
* Married and actively volunteering in community
DAWN WILLIAMS
* Magnum Cum Laude grad from Widener Univ. with BA in English and minor in Creative Writing & Secondary Ed.
* Currently Executive Director for Miss Columbia Scholarship Pageant, Columbia, MO
* Retired Teacher - Jr. & High School English, Speech and Drama Teacher.
* Married for 31 years with 1 married son & 1 Daughter (Amanda, former MMO finalist)
ANGIE YOUNG
* Graduate of State Fair Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Mid-Management
* Currently employed as Teller Manager at Platte Valley Bank of Missouri
* Served as Local E.D. for Miss Boonville Pageant (2000-04), & Miss Greater Kansas City Pageant (2007-11)
* Married for 16 years with 1 daughter