thePULSEBy Sean Corbett
It’s no secret that Worcester is a full of proud Irish folks ~ and many of those are young and beautiful. So it should come as no surprise that the upcoming first annual Miss Ireland Massachusetts 2006 Beauty Pageant will be held at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on March 18.
And while we may not need to turn St. Patrick’s Day into a two-day holiday, heck, it sounds like a pretty good idea to this Irish writer! The pageant will focus on the promotion of “all things Irish,” according to Dominick Mercurio, President of Mercury Media & Entertainment, the organizers and promoters of the event. “We thought it would be a nice idea to have a really upscale event in a pageant format focusing on a specific background and heritage of that group.”
The young ladies in the show will be the modeling swimwear, active wear, and evening gowns and will be asked, in traditional pageant form, a final question. All contestants are between the ages of 16 and 25 and will have shown proof of their Irish heritage. They will be judged on their aesthetic beauty, presentation, and attitude. Judges will include the Vice President of John Robert Powers modeling school in Boston, Masaaki Okamura, a two-time Miss Irish Colleen and spokesperson for domestic violence against women for the Norfolk County DA’s office, Victoria Crisp, a 1955 contestant for Miss Universe, Beverly Ann Kelly, and Karon Shea, owner of Karon Shea Model Management.
Based on the energy surrounding the Miss Ireland event, the plan is to have a similarly set-up Miss Italy Massachusetts on Columbus Day and a Miss Latin America Massachusetts later in the year. “These pageants will give birth to similar regional events,” said Mercurio. “I expect over the next 2 or 3 years these pageants will spread across New England.”
According to Mercurio, community and media members of all kinds have shown a great deal of interest in this event. Popular radio personality and comic Frank Foley, as heard now on weekday mornings on WRCN AM 830, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Stand-up comedian Kenny Rogerson will provide the audience with an extra bit of humor, 16 uniformed officers of the US Army will escort the young ladies on and off stage, and local Irish step dancers and musicians will serve as entertainment between modeling phases. And the whole show will be produced for television.
Even though the grand prize is a weeklong trip to Ireland and a scholarship to the Boston branch of John Robert Powers modeling school, Mercurio said that the applicants thus far have been excited in the pageant process and “…interested in demonstrating their background. It means that, yeah I know they like the trip to Ireland, and they like the scholarship, but most importantly they are interested in the cultural aspect of the event.”
“It’s about the preservation and advancement of rich Irish culture and heritage,” Mercurio said. “And at the same time, it’s about developing a positive relationship with the Irish community.”
I just want to say that I attended this pageant. Not only was it the most unorganized function possibly ever, but I think that it was a disgrace to Irish heritage. First of all the Master of Ceremonies, Frank Foley, was dreadfully intoxicated. As he stood on stage and joked about “not being able to pick his penis out of a line-up”, I watched as a mother removed her two young “Irish Stepdancer” daughters from their seats because of his vulgarity. So that was bad enough, but in addition this supposed “cultural heritage enrichment pageant” turned out to be just another persay “beauty pageant”. There were lots of average girls that entered this pageant thinking that maybe, just maybe, they would get a shot at the title of “Miss Ireland Massachusetts”, but think again. The judges couldn’t seem to get past the long, bleach blonde haired, tanned? (remember they were supposed to be Irish) Barbie dolls. These girls couldn’t even tell you who their ancestors were that came to America from Ireland. None of them had any idea about the importance of their supposed “Irish heritage” but they had a pretty face and I guess that was all that was needed. I could have made bets (and won) on the “Final 5” if we were supposed to be choosing beauty queens. Everyone that organized this pageant should be ashamed of themselves. Domenic Mercurio, Jr. and Beverly Ann Kelly (just to name a few) led these girls to beleive that they had a standing chance even if they weren’t as pretty or skinny as the rest; of course that was not the case. The only good outcome from this event, was that all the proceeds (if there even were any) went to the Knights of Columbus Childrens Handicapped Fund. Hey who knows, maybe they lied to them too!
As one of the participants in the pageant, I completely agree with the previous comment. Not only was I disappointed in the organization of the pageant itself, I was also let down by its fascade as a “cultural” pageant. The girls were picked for their prospects in modeling, which is what the prizes were for, with no regard to personality or heritage whatsoever. I was shocked at how few of the girls looked “Irish”. Maybe I’m wrong, but the last time I checked, when people think Irish, they think fair-skinned and red-haired, not bleach blonde, tan, and emaciated. The pageant said it emphasized the contestants’ connection to their Irish heritage, as well as a good personality, but as far as I could tell, the girls who best fit that description did not make the Top Five. I’m sorry if my normal-looking body, pale skin,and red hair aren’t “Irish” enough for the judges. Not to mention my love for all things Irish. My ancestors would be ashamed to see their homeland associated with such a disgrace. As far as I’m concerned, I’m the real winner, because I represent and value my Irish heritage a whole lot more than some hack job of a beauty pageant ever could.
I was also a participant in the beauty pageant, and cannot agree more with the 2 previous comments. When I was initially told about the pageant, the first thing that came to my mind was a typical ‘popular’ girl in society now–extremely skinny, tanned, and fake. But I gave it a chance anyway and tried to have a positive outlook on it. Well, let’s just say that when I got there, my positive outlook was extinguished. Everything was just as I had expected it to be in the beginning. I felt like an outcast there because I was one of a few girls who had not been baking in a tanning salon, and who wore a bathing suit that actually consisted of more than strings. Last time I checked, the contestants were told to be careful about their swimwear because it would express who they were. To quote them, “But remember Miss Ireland Massachusetts is an attractive and sophisticated young lady, so make your choice carefully”. I think anyone that has an education and been into the world would realize that sophistication does NOT equal how little clothing you can wear. I was led to believe that the judges were looking for class, not being a whore. The contestants were expected to “be able to present themselves as sophisticated young ladies”. Now, ask anyone you know and they will not say that a sophisticated young lady is one that wears a skimpy bikini and spike heels. Needless i say more on this topic. And as for personalities, I would have loved to see the judges spend from 230-1030 with all the contestants and then tell me about their personalities because they certainly were not ones of sophistication. Also, I do not understand how an introduction of your name, where you are from, and what your Irish heritage is truly shows your personality. I realize that there was an interview with the judges beforehand (lasting about 1-2 minutes), but I feel this was not sufficient time to judge a person’s personality. They should have either spent more time with the contestants, or just eliminated the personality component all together. I was disappointed with the entire pageant, and the next time I hear the word “sophistication”, I’ll be sure to think back to this event.
my daughter was a contestant in this pageant and i was so looking forward to her participation. the day was a great disappointment to us because of a few things.the main objection was the filthy comedy???routine by frank foley..these were family groups with young ladies and children and elderly and it was horrible. the second part was knowing that one of the finalists was a student in the modeling school of one of the judges…yes you should have told her to keep quiet about that!!!also the girls were just cattle..there was no chance for the audience to meet them and learn about them,,you should have filled in the glaring empty spaces in the program..they are not just pretty faces…only that the proceeds from the tickets and the entry fee went to the knights children’s fund it would have been a total washout…and not for anything and no offense, but a polish girl representing ireland???????
I was also a participant in the beauty pageant, and cannot agree more with the 2 previous comments. When I was initially told about the pageant, the first thing that came to my mind was a typical ‘popular’ girl in society now–extremely skinny, tanned, and fake. But I gave it a chance anyway and tried to have a positive outlook on it. Well, let’s just say that when I got there, my positive outlook was extinguished. Everything was just as I had expected it to be in the beginning. I felt like an outcast there because I was one of a few girls who had not been baking in a tanning salon, and who wore a bathing suit that actually consisted of more than strings. Last time I checked, the contestants were told to be careful about their swimwear because it would express who they were. To quote them, “But remember Miss Ireland Massachusetts is an attractive and sophisticated young lady, so make your choice carefully”. I think anyone that has an education and been into the world would realize that sophistication does NOT equal how little clothing you can wear. I was led to believe that the judges were looking for class, not being a whore. The contestants were expected to “be able to present themselves as sophisticated young ladies”. Now, ask anyone you know and they will not say that a sophisticated young lady is one that wears a skimpy bikini and spike heels. Needless i say more on this topic. And as for personalities, I would have loved to see the judges spend from 230-1030 with all the contestants and then tell me about their personalities because they certainly were not ones of sophistication. Also, I do not understand how an introduction of your name, where you are from, and what your Irish heritage is truly shows your personality. I realize that there was an interview with the judges beforehand (lasting about 1-2 minutes), but I feel this was not sufficient time to judge a person’s personality. They should have either spent more time with the contestants, or just eliminated the personality component all together. I was disappointed with the entire pageant, and the next time I hear the word “sophistication”, I’ll be sure to think back to this event.
To me this sounds like bitter people upset about not winning. Maybe the next time all of you, your daughters, and your friends enter a PAGEANT, you will realize that it consists of many things including showmanship onstage, personality and sophistication in interview, and GOOD LOOKS. As an attendee at the pageant, I couldn’t disagree more on most of the comments. Frank Foley was dirty and inappropriate yes, but the finalists were beautiful. As for the Polish Winner comment, seriously, how BITTER can you be? Obviously your daughter wasn’t picked because she wasn’t good enough and the winner was. Maybe your daughter can someday fight her own battles.
Domenic did a fabulous job putting together Miss Ireland, as did the judges who picked the winners. Kudos to those finalists and to the winners for getting over the jealousy and cattiness of others who didn’t win. Perhaps all you ugly, gross losers can someday grow up and get over the fact that only some people should be in pageants.
Sounds to me like you are all a bunch of sore losers. Maybe you shouldn’t enter a pageant if you can’t handle the chance of losing. How dare you bash these young ladies that are EXTREMELY intelligent, beautiful, and have great personalities. Obviously you don’t have such great personalities if you have the audacity to make such discruntled comments. Did you ever stop and think “HEY maybe I didn’t win because I’m not GOOD ENOUGH. Maybe the winners were BETTER than ME.” And please, don’t take out your depression on these girls just because you are unfortunate looking. Not everyone is blessed like us. Get use to it hunny, you drew the short straw in life. Hey Casper,why don’t you go to Ireland because clearly you can’t handle America.
As a newspaper editor and neutral third party, I can say this was one of the poorest put together pageants I have ever seen. Ms.’Sophisticated Gal’ and ‘Polish Pride’, it sounds like you are the sore winners of the event. You must not have a lot of experience with classy pageants, as this certainly was not even close to being an event with any class whatsoever. I have written newspaper articles about local and national pageants, and I have always found personality was supposed to be a major factor in determining the winners. If either of you took any place (or- Good heavens- actually won), that is the strongest evidence I see for how bad this pageant was; you present yourself in this public forum as a pair of rotten apples.
The Master of Ceremonies was embarrassing and inappropriate. I found I could not even publish an article about the contestants because when I asked about proving their Irish heritage, I was frequently given the answer “I think I am part Irish somewhere,” and “I found googling ‘Irish surnames’ was helpful.” The pageant was based on who wore the smallest bathing suit and could present the most fake Irish smile, as well as how well the contestants knew the judges.
I am in absolute agreement that even after two years, this pageant was a disgrace for Domenic Mercurio, Jr. and Beverly Ann Kelly. They would be wise to dissociate themselves from it ASAP. As I compose an article about great local pageants in New England, this pageant may earn a special spot in how horrible they can turn out.
the best beauty queens are coming from south america, i really love latinas ‘*`