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Yes, it's just a little over a
year away and we want you to go ahead and reserve the
date to join with The Academy of Washington in
celebrating our milestone 50th Annual Gaye Golden Boy
Awards.
The grand celebration will be
held on May 1, 2011 at the Almas Temple. Doors
will open to the public at 4:00 pm and Protocol will
begin at 6:00 pm. Come dressed in your finest as we
recommend black-tie/formal attire. More details will be
released as we get closer to the date .... but don't
miss this event!
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The ten of the twelve signs were
filled, nine individuals competed on Sunday,
January 10, 2010 and the
"women" of the Academy continue the hold on the
Zodiac medallion for another year!
The Zodiac Signs that
competed were:
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Capricorn |
Tammy Taylor Stephyns |
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Aquarius |
Arizona Blake |
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Pisces |
Alexandra B. Childs |
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Taurus |
CoCo Blackwell |
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Gemini |
Anthony Perkins |
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Leo |
Shelby Blake-Stephyns |
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Virgo |
Gucci Renee Blackwell |
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Libra |
Ronita B. Childs |
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Scorpio |
Tiffany Nicole Blackwell |
After a ghoul-ful
entrance and then on-runway transformation into
Miss Gaye Zodiac 2009, Veronica Blake led off a
wonderful evening of talent and self-expression
from the contestants. After an exciting contest, the title was passed on
to yet another female Zodiac contestant. Non-Finalist in
Self-Expression was Anthony Perkins, Non-Finalist in
Talent was Alexandra B. Childs, 2nd Runner-up was
Ronita B. Childs, 1st
Runner-up was Arizona Blake, and the title of
Miss Gaye Zodiac for 2009 was won by Miss
Leo, Shelby Blake-Stephyns.
Congratulations to
Shelby and "Bravo" to all the contestants for
a great Zodiac Finals contest.
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Flanked by Miss Capricorn, Tammy Taylor-Stephyns
(left), Shelby Blake-Stephyns (center) learns
she has just won the title of Miss Gaye Zodiac
2010. |
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The 2009 Miss Gaye
America (DC) Pageant was held at Ziegfeld's on
November 22, 2009. Five Academy members competed in
five categories: State Costume, Swimwear,
Talent, Evening Gown, and On Stage Question.
The Academy members
competing were: Miss Florida, Sylvia Stallone; Miss Georgia,
Mona D. Lotts; Miss
Kansas, Regina Jozet Adams, Miss New Jersey, Gucci Renee
Blackwell, and Miss Pennsylvania, Charity B.
Childs.
The current Miss Gaye
America (DC), Destiny B. Childs, opened the show
with "One Short Day" from the Broadway play
"Wicked" and to entertain the
standing-room only crowd throughout the evening.
Destiny completed the evening as our Miss Gaye
America (DC) melting before our eyes on stage
but then returning for her final walk as Miss
Gaye America (DC).
Finalists in the
Pageant were: Miss Florida, Sylvia Stallone and Miss
New Jersey, Gucci Renee Blackwell. Second
Runner-up was Miss Georgia, Mona D. Lotts. First Runner-up was Miss
Pennsylvania, Charity B. Childs, and our new Miss
Gaye America (DC) for 2009 is Miss Kansas,
Regina Jozet Adams.
Congratulations Regina! |
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Regina Jozet
Adams
Miss Gaye America (DC) 2009 |
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Congratulations to
Anthony Perkins for winning the title of Mr. Gaye USA (DC) and
Sarah Lee Garrett (pictured right) for winning the coveted "silver rose" as
Miss Gaye USA (DC). It was a wonderful evening of
competition and all of the contestants deserve a "bravo"
for their efforts.
Not since Lainie Kazan
in the 1970's has the winner of Miss Gaye USA
(DC) gone on to later take the title of Miss
Gaye Universe (DC). Congratulations to Sarah on
making her mark in Academy history! |
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Tabitha Versace Starr (Mark
Kube), 46, of Washington, DC entered into Eternal Rest
on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. He was born in
Fredericksburg, VA and graduated from Orange Senior High
School in Orange, VA. Mark lived in Washington, DC for
the past 18 years where he worked as a bartender for
Crystal City Marriott, The Kennedy Center and local bars
Badlands and Mr. P's. He enjoyed traveling, making
exotic crafts and jewelry, and spending time with his
family and friends. He dearly loved his 9 year old
Pomeranian, Rustybear. He was a member of the Washington
Academy where he enjoyed performing as Tabitha Versace
Starr, and being a family member of Addison Road. He
also won the title of Miss Northern Virginia Gay Pride,
the first and only winner of that title. He is survived
by his Partner of 21 years, Glenn D. Grove, his parents,
Alvin & Peggy, a brother, Rodney and his sister, Leah
Ann. Services will be private and at the convenience of
the family. Memorial Donations to help with the cost of
funeral services may be sent to his Partner, Glenn
Grove, P O Box 53015, WDC 20009-9015.
Tabitha was a member of Addison
Road and a former Miss Faberge. Her Academy Golden Boy
awards included:
2004 - Addison Road Award of
Merit
2005 - Drag Personality
2006 - Ambassador of Addison Road
2007 - Most Talented Drag
2008 - Academy Pride Award
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The current Miss Gaye Turnabout
(DC), Sierra Dawn Childs, both of our Entertainer of
Turnabout (DC) winners, Lucky Couture and Dirty Martini,
a large crowd, eight Miss Gaye Turnabout (DC)
contestants, and five Entertainer of Turnabout (DC)
contestants added up to an exciting and very
entertaining Turnabout contest at Ziegfelds on Sunday,
October 25th, 2009.
After a wonderful display of
charm and couture by our eight Miss Gaye Turnabout (DC)
contestants and entertainment by the five Entertainer of
Turnabout (DC) contestants, the judges' decisions were
announced.
In the Entertainer of Turnabout
contest, Johnny Bravo as "Ferrera Roche" was second
runner-up, Xavier Bottoms as "Nada Bottoms" was first
runner-up, and Bam Bam Blake as "Pebbles" was awarded
the title of Entertainer for Turnabout for 2010.
In the Miss Gaye Turnabout (DC)
contest, Diego Kane Lovelace as "Lace B. Childs" was second
runner-up, John Kane as "Aurora Garnett Blake" was first
runner-up, and Trace Couture as "Sasha Kennedy-Smith"
was crowned Miss Gaye Turnabout for 2010. This was
Trace's second attempt for the coveted crown. |
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Miss Gaye
Turnabout (DC) 2009 , Sierra Dawn Childs, with
Entertainer of Turnabout (DC) 2009, Lucky
Couture (not pictured, our other Entertainer of
Turnabout (DC) 2009 winner, Dirty Martini). |
Entertainer of
Turnabout (DC) 2010, Pebbles with Miss Gaye
Turnabout (DC) 2010, Sasha Kennedy-Smith after
winning their titles on Sunday evening. |
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Yolanda M. Young (Carolyn "C.J." Davis) died on
Saturday, October 3, 2009 in Bethesda MD, after
a brief illness. She was 60. She was a former
member of Beekman Place as Trina M. Young's
daughter.
Click
here to continue reading her tribute pages. |
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On Sunday, September
20, 2009, the 2008 Mr. and Miss Black and White, Shammy Jaymes and
Shelby Stephyns were presented and presided over
the 2009 Black and White Ball. Our new Academy
Debutantes and Debonairs were introduced to the
Gaye President (DC) of the Academy, Patrick
Turner-Lee and First Lady of the Academy, CeeCee
Leone. After a wonderful evening of
entertainment by Shammy and Shelby as well as
former titleholders, the new Mr. Black and White
Debonair, Xavier Bottoms, and Miss Black and
White Debutante, Shelby Bottoms received their
titles.
Congratulations to
Shammy and Shelby for a wonderful evening and to
Xavier and Shelby on what will a great year for
the two of them. |
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Mr. Black and
White, Xavier Bottoms and Miss Black and White,
Shelby Bottoms at the conclusion of the 2009
Black and White Ball |
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The calendar for the Academy's
2009-2010 season is now available. Click
here
to download the Adobe PDF version of the calendar.
This version of the calendar (dated August 31, 2009) has
the following changes: - Removed
September 2, 2009 meeting (meeting canceled)
- Moves Miss Gaye America (DC) Showcase and Contest to
the Fall Schedule; Zodiac Showcase and Finals are now in
January 2010
- Has all events scheduled through the end of the
season.
For any changes to the calendar, please
email Veronica Blake. |
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As of this week, a new
comprehensive Academy mailing list was created and the
first emails have gone out. This one-way mailing list
will be used to distribute information out to Academy
members and friends on Academy events and newsworthy
activities. It was generated from the
Academy Troop List. If you supplied an email address on
the Troop List, you should have received an email from "AcademyInfo"
at this website address (thewashingtonacademy.com).
If you are a member or friend of the Academy on the
Troop List and you didn't receive the email, please send
an
email to Veronica. Several emails have already been
returned because of non-existent email addresses.
Not a member of the Academy but
would still like to be kept abreast of Academy
happenings, send an
email to Veronica and she will add you to the
"Friends of The Academy" list. |
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The race to fill the
Zodiac wheel for the 2011 Zodiac contest has
begun and so far, the first of the monthly signs
have been taken.
The Zodiac Signs filled
so far are:
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Capricorn |
Ronita B. Childs |
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Aquarius |
* Contest on March 7, 2010 * |
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Pisces |
* Contest on March 7, 2010 * |
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Aries |
* Contest on March 7, 2010 * |
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Taurus |
* Contest on April 18, 2010 * |
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Gemini |
* Contest on April 18, 2010 * |
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Cancer |
* Contest on April 7, 2010 * |
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Leo |
* Contest on May 16, 2010 * |
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Virgo |
* Contest on May 16, 2010 * |
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Libra |
* scheduled for next season * |
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Scorpio |
* scheduled for next season * |
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Sagittarius |
* scheduled for next season * |
Remember that you must
sign up with Veronica Blake at least one week
before the contest if you want to compete. |
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Holding the Academy's
highest titles this year are our new 48th Best
Actor and Best Actress A.J. Turner and Tula.
Congratulations to both for achieving this high
honor In addition
to our new Best Actor and Best Actress, the
Protocol Holders for our 48th Year are:
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Mr. and Miss Gaye Golden
Boy: |
Anthony Perkins and Ophelia Bottoms |
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Mr. and Miss Gaye
Academy: |
Ricky Couture and Ashlee Jozet Adams |
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Most Promising Actor and
Actress: |
Kanili Diamond and Shelby Blake-Stephyns |
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Mr. and Miss Showbusiness: |
Big Daddy and Vickii Vox |
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Emperor and Empress of
the Silver Screen: |
Jimmy Carter and Jessyca Jaymes Colt |
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Supporting Actor and
Actress: |
Carlton Stephens and Ophelia Bottoms |
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NY Drama Critic's Best
Actor and Actress: |
Sting and Kelly Garrett |
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Vice-President and
Vice-Lady: |
Fred McMurray and Veronica Blake |
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President and First Lady: |
Patrick Turner Lee and CeeCee Leone |
Congratulations to all of our Golden Boy
recipients and to our new Best Actor and
Actress. And knowing A.J. and Tula, we are
definitely in for a most enjoyable and
unforgettable year! |
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Congratulations to Kristina
Kelly who won the Miss Gay Dreamgirl Crown on Sunday
June 28, 2009. Kristina was one of 7 wonderful
contestants that evening and all the girls provided the
audience with a wonderfully entertaining show. Our
sincere thanks goes out to Destiny B. Childs who carried
the title of Miss Gay Dreamgirl for us for the past
three years. Thank you Destiny and congratulations to
Kristina! |
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On Sunday April 19, 2009, 26
contestants participated in the 2009 Miss Gaye Universe
DC Ball and Tammy Faye Taylor stepped down from the
title handing it over to Patti Lovelace, Miss Germany.
Blair Michaels, Miss England, was first runner-up
and Destiny B. Childs, Miss India, was second-runner-up. |
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A new Royal Family was crowned
on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at Ziegfelds. After the current
Royal Family (King of Hearts Frank Sinatra, Queen of
Hearts Tula, Prince Charming Kanili Diamond,
and Cinderella (Ashley Jozet Adams) said their farewells, a
new group of Royalty stepped into place.
The Gaye Prince Charming for
2009 is John Denver and Gaye Cinderella for
2009 is Alexandra B. Childs. Pat Garrett was crowned
the King of Hearts for 2009 and Sylvia Stallone is our new Queen of
Hearts for 2009. |
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