LESS THAN 24 HOURS UNTIL THE ACTUAL COMPETITION BEGINS...

Day 2 has gotten off to a fantastic start! The first session of rehearsals is over (thanks to our super choreographer & reigning Mrs. Earth 2010, Laurye Natale)!! This year our ladies will be looking oh-so stylish for opening number wearing skinny jeans and glitter tanks. While looking fabulous they'll be sure to entertain our audience while dancing to "One Step at a Time" by Jordin Sparks.

Well, rehearsal session 2 is scheduled to begin any minute...stay tuned for more updates.

(ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF OUR OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER, ED IP PHOTOGRAPHY - http://www.edipphotography.com/)

THE ROAD TO CROWNING MRS. & MS. EARTH 2011 HAS BEGUN...

The road to the crowning of Ms. & Mrs. Earth 2011 has begun.

Our first order of business was the contestant orientation. During orientation, the ladies were given lovely canvass tote bags full of amazing gifts including full-size Clarins products, sunscreen, lip balm and much, much more!! Each of our beautiful contestants were dressed "to the nine" in black cocktail wear. One at a time, each lady was pulled to the side to do her introduction video shoot as well as private photo shoot with our official photographer, ED IP (www.edipphotography.com).

Next, it was off to MADAME TUSSAUDS wax museum where the red carpet treatment was certainly offered to our delegates. The ladies received full-color guidebooks and special private guided tour through the museum. It was certainly a lot of fun interacting with all the "celebrities" and one of our own even had the chance to marry George Clooney. Soon after that we were quickly escorted off the green thanks to Mrs. Virginia who accidentally tried to assist as "Tiger Woods'" second-caddy and a very inopportune time. Also, during an American Idol-ish moment, our very own Mrs. Maryland, did a karaoke session in front of "Simon Cowell" and she was FABULOUS!!! The Earth contestants were also treated to a walk through Madame Tussauds version of a haunted house where there were plenty of screams to go around for everyone. At the end of the tour, the contestants had the opportunity to do a meet & greet with "President Obama" and their group photo with him is now on display in the museum. All-in-all, they had a great time and we are so grateful to Madame Tussauds for their generosity and hospitality.

To end the night, our ladies split up and enjoyed Las Vegas with their family and friends.

Stay tuned for more updates and enjoy this sneak peak at some of the photos from yesterday!

Mrs. Virginia Earth helps raise money for heart disease prevention at the Richmond Country Club

Maria manned the booth for registration of a young women's golf tournament to raise money for heart disease prevention with the American Heart Association on August 14, 2010 at the Richmond Country Club.

Mrs. Virginia Earth, Maria Beall bowls for Miss America's charity!

Maria Beall, bowled on Caressa Cameron's bowling team on Saturday, July 31 to raise money for her charity, The Faces Project, which includes raising money to prevent aids. Caressa, Maria and Yolanda Makle, Ms. Galaxy all had a great time helping the community!