Pageants Have Allowed Me To Travel The United States!
Some Fun We've Had!
Here are some of Mr. Chris's favorite photos from his favorite trips!
When I was 18 years old and entered college, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I had an interest in pageants and fashion but didn't want to major in anything along those lines because I wasn't confident enough to choose that as a career. I decided to major in Commerical Design and Advertising. I had started to dabble with pageants on the side for fun at that time to passify my passion for them. I obtained my first job at a gas stationat around the age of 19 to pay my way through school. After graduating college debt free, I went straight to work for my hometown newspaper, The Meteor. I was excited at first to get this job but after about two years I realized I felt like a slave and the excitment was gone. I then opened my own business in Crystal Springs but sold it less than a year at a profit. Then I went to work with the Sears Corporation doing display work in their store and after a few months obtained a second job a Pier One Imports. Shortly after I left Sears and went to work full time at Pier One as an Assistant Manager. An offer shortly came thereafter to go back to work at The Meteor and I for some reason took it. My salary was increased tremendously over time but I still wasn't happy. Knowing I was not following my dream, in the year 2001 at age 30 I decided to leave the newspaper and pursue my own Pageant Production Business full-time. It has turned out to be the best decision I ever made in my life. I was scared to go out on my own at first, but with God's help and guidance, it has been an incredible experience. Through 13 years of different types of pageants, I had built up enough of a name and fair reputation to go for it full-time. I just wanted to share my story to serve as a role model to encourage people to follow their dreams no matter what they are. I remember being around 21 or 22 and heard a woman I respected very much say, Why is HE involved in pageants? It hurt my feelings very much but I think made me more determined than ever to succeed. They always say if you can dream it, you can achieve it. I am very very thankful to God for allowing me to live my dream every day. I feel very lucky and blessed and give Him all the credit. I feel as though I have one of the best jobs in the state of Mississippi. Although it is very stressful sometimes, I love the majority of the business. I have met some of the nicest people in the state.
I have been able to travel a lot throughout the United States because of my involvement in the pageant world. Below are some of my pictures to share with you.
Thank You Guys For Allowing Me
To Live My Dreams Through Pageants!
Mr. Chris
Chris's brain finally explodes from pageant stress LOL. He is actually in front of the Volcano at the Mirage in Las Vegas!
Chris in Las Vegas during the Mrs. United States Pageant. He has gone to Las Vegas several times since then.
Mississippi is a great place to have fun. Here I am with my nephew Hunter in Biloxi, MS.
After one of our pageants in the delta, we visited the Kermit the Frog Museum in Leland, MS.
On a trip to Chicago in 2003 visiting the Taste of Chicago Festival, Navy Pier and the scenic Chicago city skyline.
Trip To New England For the 2003 America's 21st Century Teen Pageant. We visited Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
In Atlantic City, New Jersey, For the 1996 Miss America Pageant. That was a fun experience to watch that pageant live!
2000 Miss Teen USA Pageant in Shreveport, Louisiana
During my Trip to Hawaii for the 2003 Mrs. America Pageant
During the 1997 Miss USA Pageant in Shreveport, Louisiana
Orlando, Florida with Hunter
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Tadpole Pond in Mass.
Salem Witch Museum
With Miss Mass. who was 1st RU to Miss America
Sometimes after a really big pageant we have to take a vacation afterwards to gain our sanity back LOL. In 2002, we took my family to Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida. My nephew, Hunter, had a ball and was SOOOOOO excited to meet Minnie Mouse. He ran up to her and gave her a big hug.
Harvard University
My first winner who won the Miss MS Teen USA title, Jennifer Duke. A group of us went to the national Miss Teen USA in Louisiana to support and cheer her on!
A dream vacation to Hawaii for the Mrs. America Pageant.
Sunset
Beach
Sometimes a simple trip will relieve enough stress to keep you going.
A visit to Ruby Falls, Rock City and the Vaudeville Theatre created a fun trip in Tennessee. The waterfall picture is the famous site called "Lover's Leap"
Miss Teen America 2004 in Nashville, TN
Left: Mr. Chris is pictured in front of the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville where the Miss Teen America Pageant was held. Right: Mr. Ray is pictured INSIDE the beautiful Opryland Hotel in Nashville.
Pensacola, Florida
After the 2004 Southern Magnolia National Pageant, we took my nephew Hunter to Pensacola Beach in Florida for a mini vacation. Pictures are always pretty when you are looking directly into the sun trying to smile!!!
Our Trip to Los Angeles and Palm Springs, California for the 2004 Miss Teen USA Pageant
Chris and Jessica McRaney, Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2004 at the ball after the Miss Teen USA Pageant.
Chris and Tami Farrell, Miss Teen USA 2003 at the Miss Teen USA Pageant ball.
Left: Chris with the adorable Miss Vermont Teen USA. Right: Chris and newly crowned Miss Teen USA 2004, Shelley Hennig of Louisiana
Ray Trinanes congratulates the new Miss Teen USA during the ball in Palm Springs, CA.
Friends make signs to support Jessica in California
Chris at the Palm Springs welcome sign. Palm Springs is a beautiful city but it was HOT! Temps reached 110 degrees there. Ouch!
In Los Angeles at Chinatown
Palm trees and mountains created breath taking views in Palm Springs.
Is that Jed Clampet?
No- it's Chris at the
world famous
Beverly Hills Hotel
At Mann's Chinese Theatre in LA. This is where the handprints and footprints are in cement.
Palm Springs has hundreds of these giant windmills throughout the area. These windmills help produce some of the city's electricity.
Some of our group at the foot of the moutains by one of the old tram cars that takes you to the top of the mountain. We went to the top but on one of the new trams that rotates 360 degrees as you are traveling up.
Chris finds his name on a star on the streets of Los Angeles. His foot is covering up the last name Shannon of course. Yeah right!
CHRIS
Left: Jackie and Olivia McRaney and Chris prepare to walk down the world famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. Needless to say, they didn't buy anything! LOL!
Ray, Chip, Jessica, Dale, and Chris at Disneyland the day after Miss Teen USA in Palm Springs to unwind.
Relaxful vacation to Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Arkansas
Las Vegas - New Year's 2005-2006
Las Vegas and is the place to visit for vacation. We had a blast and look forward to going back again, again and again. If you have not been there, what are you waiting for?
Biltmore Estates In North Carolina
Coming soon
Cruise to Cozumel
Cruise to Bahamas
Cruise to Cozumel/Coasta Maya
