Mrs. America contestants take stage tonight

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i governor Linda Lingle, center, poses at Washington Place with tonight's contestants of the 2003 Mrs. America Pageant. Associated Press 27th annual Mrs. America Pageant 6 p.m. today Hilton Hawaiian Village Lagoon Green Tickets: $65 for adults, $55 for children ages 6-12 and free for children under 6 (children under 2 not admitted). Purchase tickets at the door or by calling 949-4321 and ask for Rainbow Tower 412. Jackets required. Mrs. America Pageant broadcast PAX TV network (analog and digital channel 27) Oct. 11 (encore presentation Oct. 18) Check local listings for showtimes.

Hosts Florence Henderson and Hal Linden will present the contestants — title holders representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia — at the black-tie event that will be broadcast nationwide Oct. 11 in a two-hour prime-time television special for the Pax TV network.

"We are a competition with a conscience," said pageant spokesman Bob Mazza. "We're all about family and what the family unit represents."

The women, ranging between 22 and 50 years old, include mothers, dentists, nurses, educators, writers and business executives.

"These women are all incredible," Mazza said. "... They choose to do something like this because they want to give back to their communities."

Representing Hawai'i is Cheryl Moana Marie Morales, 31, of Wai'anae.

Morales has two sons, Joseph, 11, and Joe-Angel, 7, and has been married for eight years to husband Jose. She is an independent contractor for Menehune Water Company and a motivational speaker.

"I'm actually very excited," Morales said before the preliminary competition Wednesday. "I feel that the individual that's going to be crowned Friday will be deserving of the title ... I'm just honored to be a part of this group."

The winner will succeed reigning Mrs. America and former Mrs. Alabama Kristi Phillips, 27.

Along with the title, the new Mrs. America will receive prizes that include more than $10,000 in cash, a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, his-and-her diamond wristwatches from the House of Levian, home decor products, swimwear and cosmetics.

Reach Zenaida Serrano Espanol at zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.