Tiara Magazine Interview

With Sherrie Gearheart post-interview

After our new Miss and Miss Teen International were crowned and pictures were taken, we three then went over to the hotel for interviews with Sherrie Gearheart.  I first met Sherrie the night I won Mrs. Illinois International. However, I was already aware of her many generous endeavors.  She is the creator of the Live Out Loud Charity which focuses on suicide prevention and awareness.  Sherrie also founded Tiara Magazine which celebrates us all and helps everyone love the skin they are in
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Sherrie interviewed us for her Tiara Talk Show.  It was a chance to discuss pageant preps leading up to Mrs. International.  And it was also the perfect place to talk about upcoming platform plans.  I am not sure when those interviews will air.  However, her website has plenty to offer.  Thank you Sherrie for the chance to discuss CASA, Mrs. International and Go Red for Women!

Be the change!

Amy Gregorio
Your Mrs. International 2013

www.SherrieGearheart.com

New Channel 11 DayTime Tri Cities!

It was a sincere pleasure to meet Amy Lynn, Host of DayTime Tri Cities on News Channel 11. She was the emcee for the Queen of Hearts event, and we quickly discovered that not only are we both Minnesota girls, but figure skaters as well!

Amy mentioned her participation with Queen of Hearts on an earlier show. I was thrilled to see that she not only highlighted the accomplishments of the young ladies who raised money for the American Heart Association, but she also gave the Mrs. International crown some press along with her co-host!

If you would like to see the video, here is the link and you can find her comments around the 3:50 min mark:  http://www.wjhl.com/video?clipId=8775119&autostart=true

With the lovely Amy Lynn!

With sincere appreciation,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

International Queens in the News!

Mrs. Alabama International 2013, Ashley Bentley

Ashley Bentley of Sterrett crowned Mrs. Alabama International (Alabama.com)

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2013/06/ashley_bentley_of_sterrett_cro.html

Mrs. Asia International 2013, Karli Bose

Mrs. Australia International 2013, Jordaine Chattaway

(Advertiser Messenger)

Mrs. Colorado International 2013, Tammy Caison

Mrs Colorado International 2013, Tammy Caison, is featured on the Hammond's Candies website.

http://www.hammondscandies.com/

Mrs Colorado International 2013, Tammy Caison, judged the "Conifer Luge Races". (Slide Number 5) (Conifer Chamber of Commerce)

http://www.goconifer.com/

(American Dream Magazine)

Mrs. Georgia International 2013, Trudie Davies-Davis

(Northside Woman)

Atlanta's Quilted Northern Soft & Strong® Champions - Trudy Davies-Davis (Quilted Northern)

http://quiltednorthern.com/champ_atlanta2013.html

Mrs. India International 2013, Amita Motwani

Mrs. India 2013 Amita Piyush Motwani will represent the country in the upcoming Mrs. International contest  (The Hindu)

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/going-global/article4764370.ece

Miss Louisiana International 2013, Ashley Hebert

Alumna to represent state in Miss International pageant (The Daily Reveille)

http://www.lsureveille.com/entertainment/article_205f9278-d962-11e2-b728-0019bb30f31a.html

Mrs. Louisiana International 2013, Laura Valenti

(Laura Valenti featured as keynote speaker for Louisiana Entrepreneur Fest) 

(June 2013 SHE-Selling Column - What Now Magazine)

(HYP President Laura Valenti  on HTV10)

Business owners invited to Louisiana Entrepreneurship Fest (Terrebonne Economic Development Authority)

http://terrebonneeda.com/2013/06/04/business-owners-invited-to-louisiana-entrepreneurship-fest/

Mrs. Mexico International 2013, Gisel Merrifield 

Mrs. Mexico Visits Castro Elementary and Plays the Violin (Mountain View Patch)

http://mountainview.patch.com/groups/schools/p/mrs-mexico-visits-castro-elementary-and-plays-the-violin

Mrs. Nebraska International 2013, Maggi Thorne

State boxing champ crowned Mrs. Nebraska International (Journal Star)

http://journalstar.com/niche/star-city-sports/news/state-boxing-champ-crowned-mrs-nebraska-international/article_8c667f99-0a36-5554-b621-2dd05253d369.html

Mrs. New Zealand International 2013, Bola Harpprecht

Kiwi mother off to world wife pageant (3 News New Zealand)

http://www.3news.co.nz/Kiwi-mother-off-to-world-wife-pageant/tabid/418/articleID/303219/Default.aspx

Mrs. North Dakota International 2013, Jennifer Mauch

(News-Monitor)

Jen Mauch Mrs. North Dakota Interview (DJ Rumble)

http://djrumble82290.podomatic.com/entry/2013-06-14T12_01_41-07_00

Mrs ND Jennifer Mauch Talks with Bill Dablow

http://25834.podomatic.com/entry/2013-06-18T08_09_18-07_00

Mrs. Ohio International 2013, Marie Crum

Pageant winner on a mission: Mrs. Ohio International inspired by son-in-law (The Marietta Times)

http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/552652/Pageant-winner-on-a-mission.html?nav=5002

Mrs. Oregon International 2013, Christine Wooley

(Architectural Heritage Center Newsletter) 

(The Winged M)

Miss South Africa International -2013 - Shajar Khan

Miss South Dakota International 2013, Mariah Logan

Brandon woman is Miss S.D. International (Brandon Info)

http://www.brandoninfo.com/article/20130619/NEWS/130619005/1001

Miss Teen International South Africa 2013 - Simone Meyer

Miss Teen International SA joins Bully Proof cause (JAG Foundation)

http://jagfoundation.org.za/?p=926

Mrs. Vermont International 2013, Elizabeth Wesson

Williston VT Woman Crowned Mrs. VT International (Fox News44/ABC 22)
http://www.fox44abc22yourvoice.com/story/22569299/williston-vt-woman-crowned-mrs-vt-international

Mrs. Virginia International 2013, Amber Wandtke

(Mrs. Virginia International Amber Wandtke Speaks to Commemorate PTSD Awareness Day)

Mrs. Virginia pictured at the Newman Family Health Mart Pharmacy Grand Opening (The Citizen of Chesapeake) 

http://thecitizenofchesapeake.com/2013/06/02/newman-pharmacy-grand-opening/

Mrs. Virginia was the Special Guest at the 6th Annual Victory for Vets Charity Golf Tournament (Lakeview Golf Club)

http://www.lakeviewgolf.net/victorys-weekend/

Event lets wounded warriors go skydiving (WTVR)

http://wtvr.com/2013/05/19/event-lets-wounded-warriors-go-skydiving/

Mrs. Virginia featured in several slide shows (Advance Health Solutions)

http://www.advancehealthsolutions.com/2013/

Mrs. Virginia at the 2nd Annual HAVA/ACADEMI National Family Day The Tactical Wire)

http://www.thetacticalwire.com/story/291210

Mrs. Virginia pictured at the Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority Father's Day Program (Hampton Redevelopment & Housing Authority)

http://www.hrha.org/downloads/Forms/Fathers%20Day%202013.pdf

(WTKR Channel 3)

(CBS 6)

(Mrs Virginia featured on the cover of The Platform Magazine)

Mrs. Wisconsin International 2013, Jayne Black

(American Dream Magazine)

International Queens in the News!

Miss Arkansas International 2013, Mollie Parker

(The Jonesboro Sun)

Mrs. Georgia International 2013, Trudy Davies

52-year-old beauty queen to be honored at Race for the Cure (CBS Atlanta)
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/22216889/52-year-old-beauty-queen-to-be-honored-at-race-for-the-cure

Miss International Great Britain 2013, Zara Ramsey

Dental student wins Miss International Great Britain 2013 (UK Dental News)

http://www.ukdentalnews.co.uk/?p=1383

Mrs. India International 2013, Amita Motwani

Amita Motwani Crowned Mrs. India International 2013 (India West)
http://www.indiawest.com/news/11337-amita-motwani-crowned-mrs-india-international-2013.html

Beauty backed by values (Deccan Chronicle)
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130601/lifestyle-fashionbeauty/article/beauty-backed-values

The crowning of Mrs. India International featured (Atlanta Dunia)
http://www.atlantadunia.com/dunia/News09/N2013/N843.htm

(Front page of the Punjab Kesari)

Mrs. Louisiana International 2013, Laura Valenti

(What Now Magazine)

Gen Xers, Baby Boomers encouraged to attend Louisiana Entrepreneurship Fest (Terrebonne Economic Development Authority)

http://terrebonneeda.com/2013/05/27/gen-xers-baby-boomers-encouraged-to-attend-louisiana-entrepreneurship-fest/

State Senate proclaims ‘Louisiana Entrepreneurship Week’ (Terrebonne Economic Development Authority)

http://terrebonneeda.com/2013/05/14/state-senate-proclaims-louisiana-entrepreneurship-week/#more-425

Louisiana Entrepreneurship Fest to focus on risk, reward (Terrebonne Economic Development Authority)
http://terrebonneeda.com/2013/05/09/louisiana-entrepreneurship-fest-to-focus-on-risk-reward/

Veterans welcome at Louisiana Entrepreneurship Fest (Terrebonne Economic Development Authority)
http://terrebonneeda.com/2013/04/30/veterans-welcome-at-louisiana-entrepreneurship-fest/

Hawkins Butler to headline Louisiana Entrepreneurship Fest (Terrebonne Economic Development Authority)
http://terrebonneeda.com/2013/05/22/hawkins-butler-to-headline-louisiana-entrepreneurship-fest/

Miss Maryland International 2013, Shannon O'Brien

Md. pageant winner hopes her trauma can help others (Maryland Independent, Calvert Recorder and Washington Post Southern Maryland local section)

http://www.somdnews.com/article/20130517/NEWS/130519147/1043/md-pageant-winner-hopes-her-trauma-can-help-others&template=southernMaryland

(Washington Post - Southern Maryland Edition)

Miss Maryland International interview on Comcast Newsmakers (Comcast Newsmakers)

http://www.comcastnewsmakers.com/video/miss-maryland-international-2/

Mrs. Midwest International 2013, Kristin Melton

Mrs. Midwest International featured on the home page of the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health website

http://www.ffcmh.org/

Miss New Jersey International 2013, Jenna Drew

Miss New Jersey International Brings Celiac Disease Awareness to Pageant Stage (Celiac.com)
http://www.celiac.com/articles/23283/1/Miss-New-Jersey-International-Brings-Celiac-Disease-Awareness-to-Pageant-Stage/Page1.html

Mrs. Oregon International 2013, Christine Wooley

Christine Goes to Washington D.C. (American Heart Association's You're the Cure)
http://yourethecure.org/aha/advocacy/details.aspx?BlogId=8&PostId=1401

Mrs. Pakistan International 2013, Sanaam Azeem 

Sanam Azeem Named Mrs. Pakistan International 2013 (India West)
http://www.indiawest.com/news/11339-sanam-azeem-named-mrs-pakistan-international-2013.html

The crowning of Mrs. Pakistan International featured (Atlanta Dunia)
http://www.atlantadunia.com/dunia/News09/N2013/N843.htm

Miss Teen Texas International 2013, Kylie Boyd

FHS senior wins Miss Teen Texas title (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

http://lubbockonline.com/frenship-today/2013-05-09/fhs-senior-wins-miss-teen-texas-title#.UYuPNKKG2So

Mrs. West Virginia International 2013, Julie Warden

Pageant winner vows to fight arthritis (Charleston Daily Mail)

http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201305150224

International Queens in the News!

Mrs. Australia International 2013, Jordaine Chattaway

Mrs. Australia International's crowning featured (Adelaide Confidential)

Miss Teen Great Britain International 2013, Sophie Vijay

Miss Teen Great Britain International's crowning featured (South Wales Guardian)

Mrs. Iowa International 2013, LaSheila Yates

LaShelia Yates: Accomplishing Goals as the first African-American Mrs. Iowa International (Diversity Focus)
http://www.diversityfocus.org/tag/mrs-iowa-international/

Mrs. Iowa International will judge LEGO creations (ABC 9)
http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Kids-Create-LEGO-Creations-at-New-Bo-City-Market-204018861.html

Mrs. Iowa International will be the special guest and judge at the Science Center's transportation themed LEGO® build (The Gazette)
http://thegazette.com/2013/03/20/science-station-hosting-lego-education-showcase-build-april-21/

Mrs. Iowa International pictured at the Arc March (ARC of East Central Iowa)
https://www.arceci.org/

Mrs. Louisiana International 2013, Laura Valenti

Mrs. Louisiana International's SHE-Selling (April) column (What Now Magazine)

Louisiana Entrepreneurship Fest to feature Mrs. Louisiana International (Terrebonne Economic Development Authority)

http://terrebonneeda.com/2013/03/28/louisiana-entrepreneurship-fest-to-feature-mrs-louisiana-international/

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEGNxYxuLWM

Mrs. Northwest International 2013, Brandy Wendler

Mrs. Northwest International featured in the Celiac Disease Foundation Newsletter

Mrs. Southwest International 2013, Deborah Ashton-Cooke

Mrs. Southwest International pictured at the 2013 Go Red for Women Luncheon in Las Vegas (The Challenger Newspaper)

Mrs. Virginia International 2013, Amber Wandtke

Mrs. Virginia International  featured in a story for throwing the first pitch at the Wounded Warrior Softball game (The Virginian-Pilot)

Mrs. Virginia International pictured at the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations volunteer celebration  (The Virginian-Pilot)
http://hamptonroads.com/2013/04/virginia-beach-group-honors-volunteers-youth-others

I Am HR: Amber Wandtke

Mrs. Virginia International featured as the week's "I am Hampton Roads" (The Hampton Roads Show/WAVY)
http://www.wavy.com/dpp/hr_show/i_am_hr/iahr-amber-wandtke-mrs-virginia-international

Mrs. Virginia International pictured at the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Game (ABC 13) 
http://www.wvec.com/news/Wounded-Warror-202874661.html

Mrs. Wisconsin International 2013, Jayne Black

Mrs. Wisconsin International and the NFEC Promote Financial Literacy Month (Times Union)

http://www.timesunion.com/business/press-releases/article/Mrs-Wisconsin-International-and-the-NFEC-Promote-4434357.php

Mrs. Wisconsin International will kick off the 2013 Money Smart Women Conference (Wisconsin Politics)

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=293977

International Queens in the News!

Mrs. Iowa International 2013, LaSheila Yates

Mrs. Iowa International severed as a guest columnist for the Southeast Iowa STEM Newsletter to promoto her platform, engaging underrepresented populations in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives. She provides some good tips for cross-cultural engagement STEM.

Mrs. Kansas International 2013, Tina Pulley

Mrs. Kansas International 2013 is Overland Park's Tina Pulley (Kansas City Live)

http://www.kshb.com/dpp/entertainment/kcl/entertainment_kcl/mrs-kansas-international-2013-is-overland-parks-tina-pulley

Mrs. Louisiana International 2013, Laura Valenti

Mrs. Louisiana International 2013's "The SHE-Selling Column" (What Now Magazine)

Mrs. Louisiana International pictured at the Go Red Fashion Show (New Orleans Magazine)

Mrs. Minnesota International 2013, Andrea Bennett Xiong

Woodbury Woman Becomes Mrs. Minnesota International for 2013 (Woodbury Patch)

http://woodbury.patch.com/blog_posts/woodbury-woman-becomes-mrs-minnesota-international-for-2013#photo-13724283

Mrs. Northwest International 2013, Brandy Wendler 

Pageant winner, an RN, set to discuss celiac disease (Arizona Daily Star)

http://azstarnet.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/recipes/pageant-winner-an-rn-set-to-discuss-celiac-disease/article_929b20f7-5318-5621-a962-325500095a09.html

Mrs. Northwest International 2013, Brandy Wendler was featured in the newsletter for the Southern Arizona Celiac Support group.

Mrs. South Dakota International 2013, Shannon Rook

Mrs. South Dakota International 2013, Shannon Rook featured in this past month's issue of She Magazine on pages 9, 24 & 25!

Get to know a local celeb parent: Shannon Rook, Mrs. South Dakota International (The 'hood Magazine)

Miss New Jersey International 2013, Jenna Drew

Photos: Miss International Hoboken conquers state and Celiac disease -- now heads to international stage (The Jersey Journal/NJ.com)

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/03/miss_international_hoboken_con.html?fb_action_ids=10104201863917914&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

Miss New York International 2013, Jesse Ladoue

Miss New York International 2013, Jesse Ladoue was featured on the homepage of the Syracuse Crunch website for dropping the ceremonial first puck!

Mrs. Tennessee International 2013, Ashley Wise

Ft. Campbell Spouse Crowned Mrs. TN International (Clarksville Now)

http://www.clarksvillenow.com/pages/16073976.php

Tamika Hall Radio Show

A few weeks ago, I was featured on the Tamika Hall Radio Show! The radio show focuses on the accomplishments of titleholders across the nation. I was so honored to have been chosen as a featured guest.

Tamika Hall has held many titles and serves as a motivational speaker. She is an award winning author and absolute proof that “pageant girls” really can change the world! Her radio shows not only showcase successful queens, but also offer pageant tips and life coaching.

I have to admit that I was a little nervous to be on the show, but Tamika made me feel so comfortable and welcome. She asked in depth questions about my platform and views and allowed me to let the world know who I am as a person and a titleholder. I was so grateful for this opportunity and had a wonderful time speaking with Tamika!

The following is a link to the Tamika Hall Radio Show segment in which I was featured: www.blogtalkradio.com/tamikahall/2013/04/01/pageant-insider-monday

Caroline Crowley

I Can! Art & Resource Center and Miss International 2012 – In the NEWS!

After having such a memorable, and moving experience with the I Can! Art Center students, I was honored and surprised to find this detailed article about my recent visit.

With great appreciation, 

Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012

Harvard Article

My sincere appreciation is given to the staff at Harvard Business School (HBS) for all of their encouragement and well wishes since becoming Mrs. International 2012. I am also thrilled to be able to share with you a copy of the article “Crowning Achievement” published in the HBS Alumni Bulletin.

How exciting it is to blend a message of the Mrs. International Pageant with arguably one of the most reputable educational institutions in the world! And, to be able share the message of the Phoenix Society at the same time! I hope you will enjoy the read.

Warm Regards,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

FOX 9 News Skating

I was asked by the St. Paul Figure Skating Club (the club for which I represented for many years) to show up for a taping of FOX 9 News with Todd Walker at the Wells Fargo Rink located next to Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul, MN. This ice rink is simply adorable, as it is nestled between the tall buildings and faces the sparkling Rice Park, the historic St. Paul Hotel and elegant Ordway Theater.

”Elf” was playing at the Ordway

The snow was falling in big thick flakes from the sky, and it covered the ice surface faster than the resurfacing machine and shovels could keep up, which made skating itself a little sticky. Regardless, we were able to share our messages with the viewing audience and I want to thank Todd for including the St. Paul Figure Skating Club, its skaters, and me as Mrs. International in the piece.

Long time skating friend and her daughter

Snow falling!

Todd preps me for the interview 

Melissa from the St. Paul FSC

My interview, which highlighted the International Pageant affiliation with the “Go Red” message and skating as a heart healthy activity, was featured on FOX 9 and here are a few photos from this wonderful exposure.

Warm Wishes,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

The Wilson Times

During the match up between the Wilson Ruff Ryders and the Carolina Rams, I had the good fortune to meet Gray Whitley, who was sent to cover my appearance with his camera for The Wilson Times. My interview was conducted by Janet Conner-Knox, and she was joined by her son Sherrod. Janet shared the final story with me, and I would like to share it with you.

Before I do, just hours after the papers hit the news stand, I was contacted by a Wilson resident, who happens to be a burn survivor and was moved by the story. How cool is that!

As Gray was taking photos for the article.

As the teams shared a word with the Lord.

Monday, January 28, 2013 12:03 AM
Life beyond the scars 

Beauty queen recovering from tragic accident inspires others to fight 

By Janet Conner-Knox Times Staff Writer 

Sarah Bazey, the reigning Mrs. International 2012, is small in stature. But don’t let her size fool you. 

She’s fought quite a battle to overcome third-degree burns on over 40 percent of her body and regain her life as a business woman. And with scars she would not hide, she decided to compete in a beauty pageant. As her crown shows, she has won many battles and the war.
Bazey, who travels around the world encouraging other burn victims, was invited to Wilson by the Ruff Ryders football team. Saturday was the Ruff Ryders first game of the season held at Toisnot Middle School’s field. The Ruff Ryders are a semi-professional football team whose base is Wilson. This is their second season. 

Terry McGuire, who owns the team with her husband, Bobby, said the team gives young men who are out of high school and are athletic an avenue to continue in sports. McGuire said the team is a part of a league that will have them at a football combine next month.
“That will give them a chance to be in front of NFL scouts, international scouts,” McGuire said. “They will have a chance to be seen, even if they aren’t chosen.” 

The other focus the McGuires have is to make their games a platform for organizations that help others. 

“There are a lot of causes that don’t get the focus that they need,” McGuire said. “We figure the Ruff Ryders games can be an avenue. So every game we do from here on out will be supporting a cause.” 

This month’s game was dedicated to burn survivors. 

THE ORDEAL
Bazey, 46, said she was burned when a helicopter she was flying in crashed and burned.
“Before I was burned in 1994, I had a vague awareness of what burns are,” Bazey said. “I had been sun burned. I had maybe some hot water spilled on my hand. I’ve grabbed a cookie sheet, so I knew that and I knew it was painful. I had no clue what the world of severe burn really is.” 

Bazey said most people have experienced a first-degree burn or second- degree where their may be some blistering and exposed nerve endings, which is very painful. “A third-degree burn goes down epidermis and dermis and you no longer have a hair follicle, a pore, the nerve is burned and you’re burned so deeply that the skin is essentially not able to re-heal and grow back in that area,” Bazey said as she showed her left hand that had a third-degree burn. “So my skin was burned off.” 

She said doctors took skin from her ankles to her hips and they took skin off her scalp. They used that skin to repair the burned portions of her body, she said. Once you have donated your own skin, Bazey said, they put a medicated gauze over it and staple it to you. She said she had thousands of staples. 

Bazey said as you heal, you are put in a tub of water as part of the therapy. “It can only be described as a torture chamber,” Bazey said. “A tub room is a room with a stainless steel tub with a whirl pool effect of water stirring. In my case they lowered me into the tub. What they do in that room is remove dead tissue by any means they need to remove it.” 

Bazey said although she had five narcotics flowing through her body, it didn’t matter because the pain was still so great. “They were giving me amnesia drugs and they had no effect,” Bazey recalls. “I remember every excruciating moment.” 

SURVIVING MEANS
Bazey serves on the The Phoenix Society of the World Burn Congress and they help those who have been burned. She said the hope is that all those who are burned become survivors. 

“Being a survivor with a burn means learning how to get back to living,” Bazey said. “It means learning how to walk amongst people and not be so self conscious. You’re afraid people are going to stare. It affects every part of your life - your personal, intimate and social life.”
Bazey said for some people the incident that caused the burn is something with which they wrestle. 

“Now, I don’t put survivor on the top of my list,” Bazey said. “I will tell you I am a wife, a business person. I’m Mrs. International. I am a friend, a daughter and a sister. I certainly am a survivor, but it’s not on my mind every second of the day like it was years ago.” 

THE PAGEANT
Bazey said entering the Mrs. International contest and winning was another step in surviving her injuries. 

“This pageant has really done something for me that I never dreamed and hadn’t anticipated,” Bazey said. “I spent most of those 18 years covering up my scars. Every day I’d pick out my clothes and do whatever I could to hide my scars.” 

Bazey had been in pageants 30 years ago. She had been crowned Miss Teen Minnesota. She had also competed in the Miss America Pageant. “But as a burn survivor I never thought I would go back on the stage — never in a million years,” Bazey said. 

Two years ago, some friends encouraged her to consider Mrs. International. So she said she talked to her husband and her immediate family and decided if she would compete, she would not hide her scars. 

“I didn’t want to choose my gown because it covers every inch of me,” Bazey said. “And so I wanted to forget about my scars and just go and compete.” Bazey said it was the most empowering and liberating thing for her. “I tell people I love this pageant system because it’s 50 percent based on the interview, 25 percent physical fitness and 25 percent evening gown,” Bazey said smiling. “This is the only pageant for married women and your husband escorts you on stage in a tux. And he crowned me.” 

After winning Mrs. Minneapolis, she competed in Chicago last July with women from all over the world: South Africa, Russia, The Philippines, Malaysia, Australia to name a few countries.
“I was not the prettiest or the skinniest. But I think my story is what the judges heard and connected with,” Bazey said. “My crown is very blingy. It is a blessing and an honor. Those are probably the two best words to describe this as. I am the 25th woman in the world to have this honor. It’s huge.” 

TRAVELING
Sunday morning Bazey went to visit patients in the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at Chapel Hill. 

Bazey has just been to Tokyo, Hong Kong, Manila, the island of Boracay, Australia, Honolulu, visiting and touring burn centers, nursing homes and talking to people who are, hopefully, going to be survivors. 

She said she had just unpacked her bags after three weeks on the road, did loads of laundry and then flew to Raleigh to come to Wilson. She will head to Alabama then New York to emcee an event to turn Broadway red for the American Heart Association and then head to Vegas. She will also go on a European tour in May. 

When Bazey’s reign is over, she said she’ll go back to her company selling steel and concrete which she has done for 25 years. She started the company when she was in college. Most recently, she graduated from Harvard’s business school in 2003. 

But right now, she’s enjoying the crown. “I am having the time of my life,” Bazey said. 

Thank you to Gray, Janet, and Sherrod, it was a pleasure meeting each of you!

Best Wishes,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Tamika Hall Radio Show

It was so much fun being interviewed by the energetic and bright Tamika Hall!

If you have 20 minutes to sit down, relax, and grab a cup of tea…here is the link to the broadcast which aired back in December (the interview is the second segment from approximately 20:00 to 40:00 during the show):

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tamikahall/2012/12/17/pageant-insider-monday

Hope you enjoy!

Warmest Wishes,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Interview with Tamika Hall on the Tamika Hall Radio Show!

I had a wonderful interview with the lovely Tamika Hall this week. Take a listen to hear, “Who is Miss International?” my preparations to win the crown, and my plans for the future. I even got to give my first on-air advice to one of Tamika’s call-in listeners.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tamikahall/2013/01/07/pageant-insider-monday

Krista Wanous

WDAY 6 News Interview

An interview conducted by Todd Kurtz, with WDAY 6 News the Fargo, North Dakota, the local ABC affiliate aired on December 9, 2012. Todd was kind enough to take time to sit down with me at the request of Kent Yohe, and he put together a piece that made my relatives in the area very popular at work the next day!

Sincere thank you to both Kent and Todd for making this interview happen! If you would like to see it here is the link: http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/72342/

Warm Wishes,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Fuji TV’s Amazing Stories

“Konnichiwa” (Hello) to those of you reading this blog! Watashi wa Sarah Desu (I am Sarah) and I am  excited to share with you the news that my story will be featured on a show called Amazing Stories which is a prime-time show airing in Japan on December 20, 2012 at 8:00pm. Ironically, I find it to be quite amazing that the Tokyo based Fuji TV producers found my story so compelling that they sent their New York crew to interview and film Joe and me in our home on the afternoon of December 9th.

When they contacted Allison my Minnesota director, the International headquarters, and my assistant Becky, we were not quite certain what this inquiry really meant, however, they were very gracious and thorough in their correspondence. We reached out to my trusted classmate in Tokyo and the Phoenix Society Japan board member, who both assured me this is a very popular show throughout Japan and they were very familiar with its content.

Once we agreed to the interview, the list of requirements for information and documentation was exhaustive, but certainly understandable. It was only four days before Miho and Tsunekazu “Todd” were in our home after the initial contact. Miho was sweet and thoughtful in her role as the interviewer and Todd made sure he got the shots he needed with his camera and lights.

We will share the link to the show with all of you, however, you should be forewarned you will not understand a single word (unless you speak fluent Japanese), and the show will be aired with a voice over…oh, and in the episode I watched, you will see a small frame in the upper corner of the screen showing the reaction of shock and awe in the faces of the Japanese audience. The music is dramatic and overall the show will be heavy on the message of overcoming adversity.

Until we see the show, I thought I would share a few sneak peeks of the taping with you:

 

 

 

 

 

Special “Arigato Gozaimasu”(Thank You) to Miho for assisting my with my Japanese before we arrive in Tokyo on January 4, 2013!

With sincere appreciation,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012