FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alexandra DeSantis, from Wyoming, Ohio was just crowned Miss Teen International Saturday night at the Northshore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, IL.

The young women of the Miss Teen International(r) Pageant are between the ages of 13-18, and originate from any part of the world. Each contestant is the crowned winner of their state or country of origin. Alexandra first won the title of Miss Teen Ohio for her state in a pageant held in Toledo on May 19th. “I still can’t believe it!” says DeSantis “I’m just so excited that now I get to travel nationally and internationally to expand Josh Cares and the Ronald McDonald house”. Mom Diana Lara couldn’t be prouder “she’s never done pageants before and the fact that she won in a gown I purchased on sale for $45 from Bella Donna makes it even sweeter! This was equivelant to winning the Miss Universe Pageant for teens!” Of course now Alexandra gets a whole new wardrobe valued at $5000!!

Josh Cares (www.joshcares.org) is a non profit organization here in Cincinnati, that raises money for fellowships, or internships for hospitalized children who are alone a good part of the time at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. These fellows then focus their time solely on the Josh Cares children. A Josh Cares child could have a single mother who needs to work to provide health care for the child, or may have parents that live out of state etc. At times, Josh Cares children stay at the Ronald McDonald House when they are seeking treatment for chemotherapy, or attending their post op followups with their doctors.

“We are extremely proud to have Alexandra DeSantis as our teen spokesperson for Josh Cares” says Lynn Pierce, one of it’s co-founders “she is also chairing our 5k run/walk on October 5th!” Misty Brough of the Ronald McDonald house next to Children’s Hospital adds “the children still can’t stop talking about her last visit here when she brought a group of her cheerleader friends to perform stunts on Family Night. “I’m so humbled and touched when I’m around these children” says Alexandra “before I won this new title, I had my Miss Teen Ohio crown and sash and put it on a girl who had just recently lost her hair. I heard her giggle under her mask! I can’t wait to go back and visit her and put this new crown which is twice the size on her head!!”

The national competition includes a private interview with a panel of esteemed judges. This portion consists of 40% of the score and is the most critical component of the judging process. The Fashion Wear portion, is the presentation of today’s current fashion, and adds another 20% to the score. Fitness Wear lends a further 20% to the score.
Lastly, the evening gown presentation completes the program and contributes an additional 20% to the total score.
The chosen winner for Miss Teen International(r) receives thousands of dollars in scholarship money and prizes, but more importantly the title will allow her the opportunity to help her chosen organization Josh Cares and the Ronald McDonald house, as its international advocate.
The Miss Teen International Pageants are a production of the Mrs. International(r) Pageant Inc. National Executive Director, Mrs. Mary Richardson, herself a former Mrs. Virginia USA. The pageant is recognized for its integrity, high ethical standards, utmost fairness, and consistent application of its rules and regulations. “It is our goal to provide ladies everywhere with the opportunity to compete in a pageant system that maintains the highest moral values,” states Mrs. Richardson. “We are firmly committed to applying these standards to our past, present and future contestants and directors.”

For more information about the Miss Teen International pageant, visit the Miss Teen International Pageant official website, MissTeenInternational.us or call 540/989-5992