Chiniqua Pettaway Begins Her Journey as 2013 Ms. America®.

Costa Mesa, CA, USA (July 17, 2013) — Chiniqua Pettaway from Houston, Texas was crowned Ms. America® 2013 at the national pageant held Sunday, June 23, 2013 at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa in California.

State and regional titleholders from across the United States competed in four categories including interview, sportswear, evening gown and on-stage question.

Ms. America® 2013, Chiniqua Pettaway walked across the stage to accept the crown marked her first steps on a journey that will take her from spotlight to spotlight representing the American woman 26 years of age and up who are single, divorced, widowed or married.

Ms. Pettaway, a Houston, Texas transplant, is originally from Richmond, Virginia. She is an entrepreneur, model, fitness instructor and community leader. Chiniqua owns and operates six income tax preparation offices in Houston, TX. She is currently working on her master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology and will complete her degree from Argosy University in March 2014.

A philanthropist, Ms. America® 2013, Chiniqua Pettaway is also a philanthropist and is especially passionate about her platform of service “Guard a Heart” a heart health awareness foundation. Guard a Heart’s mission is to fight heart disease with their campaign, “Know your Risk, Save a Life.” Heart conditions are the number-one killer of men and women in America. She enjoys traveling, dancing and mentoring young women through her platform and other community involvement.

As Ms. America® 2013, Pettaway is honored to represent an organization that enriches the lives of women across the country and is passionate about continuing to give back to others through philanthropic endeavors and being the inspiration that helps others achieve their dreams.

Major sponsors of the 2013 Ms. America® Pageant are Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, Orrick Herrington & Suitecliff, and OC Celebrity Smiles and Commercial Bank of California.

Ms. America® 2013 first runner-up was Wendi Russo, Ms. Minnesota; second runner-up was Malinda Koncar, Ms. Pennsylvania; third runner-up was Stephanie Mills, Ms. New England; and fourth runner-up was Mai-Lea DeJong, Ms. Arizona.

Ms. America International® 2013, for women 40 years of age and up went to Robin Griffin, Ms. California Coast. Ms. International™ 2013, the “Judges and People’s Choice Award” went to Stacy Smith, Ms. Colorado. This prestigious title must not only represent the pageant but also the Ms. America® fans as well. Stacy Smith was chosen by receiving the most votes online, good luck wish ads and scores from the Judges.

Richard Simon from Houston, Texas founded The Ms. America® Pageant in 1997. The first pageant was held on December 4, 1997 at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. Contestants competed representing their state in the pageant. Susan Jeske from Colorado was crowned the first Ms. America®. Ms. Jeske became the owner of the pageant in 1999.

Video of crowning can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ6xchdaDHM

To schedule an appearance for 2013 Ms. America®, please contact the pageant at: MsAmericaPageant@aol.com or call 949.679.8888

2013 SPECIAL AWARDS:

Ms. America International 2013 (40 years of age & up) – Robin Griffin – Ms. California Coast
Ms. International 2013 (Judges and People’s Choice Award) – Stacy Smith, Ms. Colorado
Spirit of America Award – Heidi Burton, Ms. Southwest America
Power of the Crown Award – Malinda Koncar, Ms. Pennsylvania
Crown for a Purpose Award – Mai Lea DeJong, Ms. Arizona
Media Award – Dallas Teague, Ms. Alabama
Woman of Distinction Award – Stacy Smith, Ms. Colorado
Ms. Photogenic Award – Robin Griffin, Ms. California Coast
Ms. Congeniality Award – Carola Akins – Ms. Rocky Mountain States
Community Service Award – Tiffanie Manansala, Ms. New Jersey

About Ms. America Pageant
The Ms. America® Pageant is open to women 26 years of age and up – single, divorced or married who are articulate, interesting, elegant and classy. Pageant competition is based on Fashion wear, Interview, Evening Gown, Sportswear and on-stage question. The Ms. America® Pageant was created to empower women across the nation, celebrate their accomplishments, encourage involvement in community service, to use the “crown for a purpose” to make a difference and to promote, honor and advance the status of women. The Ms. America® Pageant is a registered federal trademark with the USPTO in Washington DC since February 2000 and is one of the top pageant trademarks in the world. Visit http://www.MsAmericaPageant.com for more information. Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/MsAmericaPageant.

Contact:
Susan Jeske
(949) 679-8888
msamericapageant@aol.com
http://www.msamericapageant.com