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Inside this Issue Miss Gay USofA At Large Lawanda Jackson From the Heart The Skyy’s the Limit Volume 2014 - Issue 10 OCTOBER 2014 Promoter’s Spotlight Clasically Yours October Events Lovingly Angelica Capturing Christo- pher Smooth Sounds of O’Dey Twerkin with Tic Toc Evolving with Eazy Breakin it down with Brandon The Faux/Real DI- VA Mr. Gay USofA At Large & Mr. Gay USofA USofA Pageants 1713 Garden Road Pearland, TX 77581 www.usofa.org [email protected] [email protected] INTEGRITY Is a monthly electronic publication of USofA Pageants copyright 2014 USofA Pageants Integrity - October 2014 Page 2 future was going to hold because I had lost the use of my left leg and my left arm. It was very scary! At that moment I knew exactly who my There’s an old saying that your life could close friends were and to this day I still do. change in seconds. My USofA family put together a PayPal account to help with the expenses. They I never understood what that meant until contacted everyone on Facebook and kept May 31st when I was on the phone with a them informed on what was happening and dear friend Coti Collins and I collapsed. how I was doing. Because of those Face- When I came to on the floor Coti was still on book posts communities and clubs across the phone and said Lawanda you don’t sound the country decided they wanted to do the same. To me it felt like when you fall something to help and I am very grateful asleep and your leg goes to sleep but Coti for that. said you don’t sound right and told me to look in the mirror. It was then that I noticed Columbus, OH, Minneapolis, MN, Hou- that my face looked paralyzed on the left ston, TX, Raleigh, NC, Greensboro, NC, side. Coti immediately told me to call 911 - Provincetown, MA, Columbia, SC and after calling them I had to crawl to unlock many other gay communities across the my front door for the paramedics. After they country including the Miss Gay USofA arrived and asked me what the problem was Newcomer Pageant came together to help they immediately recognized that I had had a me and I greatly appreciate everything they stroke. From that moment I kept going in have done for me. and out of consciousness. They sent me by ambulance to the helicopter that flew me to I am not out of the woods yet, but I am in the Trauma hospital. During my trip in the an amazing place - Amarillo, TX under the helicopter I kept hearing a voice telling me love and care of David and Kevin, the own- “Lawanda it’s not your time yet.” It was just ers of Club 212. me and the pilot in that helicopter so I don’t know where the voice came from other than I am doing my outpatient therapy here in deep inside me. Amarillo and David and Kevin have taken such amazing care of me. I thank God for I remember going into the ICU unit at the both of them! hospital and calling Alexyeus. I asked her to call everyone including the club I was As I continue to receive calls and cards booked at that night. I knew I needed to everyday from people across the country call David Bridgman, Jerry Bird and my it shows me how loved I am and I want sister. I was afraid that if I called my everyone to know how much I really do mother she would panic. The next thing I appreciate it. remember is the nurse coming into the room and told me that I needed to notify Sometimes it’s hard but with each card I my next of kin - I wasn’t aware of how bad receive and every phone call I get along the stroke actually was. I knew my life was with each Facebook message it continues about to change all together. to give me the hope and strength I need to continue. I was afraid - and I still am! I didn’t know what the Continued on page 3 www.usofa.org Integrity - October 2014 Page 3 Continued from page 2 heart and if I have touched anyone along the It’s going on 4 months since the stroke and I way I want you to know I love you all and ap- am happy to report that I am walking with a preciate you with all my heart! cane. My left arm is beginning to move more and more with each day of rehab and for that I If by chance something changes and my am so grateful. health gets worse I want everyone to know that I have had a blessed life and have enjoyed eve- My gay kids have been very supportive and wor- rything I have done in the past 35 years. I am ok ried about me at the same time. I try to tell them with that - I have had a great life and I cannot com- when I talk to them to enjoy each and every thing plain. that they have because you never know when your life will flash before you – simply in the blink of an Before you close your eyes tonight make sure you eye. I let them know to never have any regrets! tell that person you love the most how much you love them because you never know when your or This stroke made me realize the impact I had on their life can change. It’s the little things you miss the gay community that I have become so in- and you can never take anything for granted. volved in over the years - they have become so dear to me and I thank each and every one of you I love you all! for your support. Lawanda I am so thankful to have all the love and support from everyone around me to help me through this. I am going to pull through it - I promise you I re- ally am! I draw my strength from all your prayers! I want to give a special thanks to Margeaux Powell for all her phone calls. She has been absolutely amazing and I am SO thankful for her. Tommie Ross has been a constant close friend throughout this as well from her phone calls to visiting in person. I absolutely love her with all my heart. My biological family lives in Oregon and having those that I consider my extended family close to help me has been an absolute blessing. I am living by this phrase from Joel Olsen sent to me by a friend on Facebook – “God said for every set back he is preparing me for an awesome come- back. “ I draw strength from your calls, prayers and letters! I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my www.usofa.org Integrity - October 2014 Page 4 Layla LaRue, the new Miss Gay Texas USofA The Skyy’s the Limit At Large and formerly owned by Chad Fitzger- Jenna Skyy ald, former Miss Gay USofA At Large. Angeli- Miss Gay USofA 2014 ca Sanchez was with us at this event performing and judging having come up from Miss Gay So September started out much like a Miss Texas USofA At Large so it was great to have Continental Pageant for me and I her in the Rose Room that week- use this as an example because it end. She’s approaching the final began with my first national walk at moments of her reign as you read Miss Continental. I was able to this (unless you waited to check your catch final night of the boys and email in which case you might be both nights of the ladies and I must missing it - either way) so be sure to say that is one fast paced pag- message her on Facebook, shoot her eant! Final night of Miss Pageant an email or a text, and congratulate started at 7pm and at 7:34pm con- her on her reign. It’s just been a few testant number 1 had competed in months that I’ve had the opportuni- Swimsuit, Evening Gown and was ty to get to know Angelica but I’m taking the stage for talent. 34 forever grateful. She is one of the MINUTES and 3 CATEGO- most sincere and down to earth peo- RIES! That pageant has some major ple I’ve met in this industry who can movement! I had heart palpitations fight! Just kidding, but this girl will just watching! Congratulations to have your back! I look forward to Joey Taylor and Brooke Lynn Hytes, Mr. & Miss welcoming the next Miss Gay USofA At Large as Continental. Shout out to Queen Bee Ho’. The warmly and humbly as you have welcomed USofA crowd loves talent like that!! me. Congratulations on your reign and on your con- tinued success and I’m so very excited to be there So from Chicago, I flew home, unpacked and re- with you all week and as part of your opening num- packed and was on a charter bus with 21 performers ber! #sisterhood as well as Miss DIVA USofA Brandi Amara Skyy, heading to Whatever, USofA (as I rebranded it for Let’s not forget that it was pride month here in Dal- them) a ground breaking marketing event by Bud las as well so plenty of festivities were happening to Light held in Mount Crested Butte, CO.