In 1978, Evelyn DeMeyere paved the way for the first Miss Deaf Michigan Pageant. The Pageant was held biennially to coincide with the Michigan Deaf Association Conference. Due to unforeseen circumstances, 1999 was the last year a pageant for the state of Michigan was held.
UNTIL!
Kenya Lowe (1999 Queen) and April Lindbergh (1995 Queen) in 2004 decided to integrate their dynamic and creative energies to put together a new “team” and establish the New and Improved Miss Deaf Michigan Pageant.
Joining the task force, were:
Jonathan Harucki- Treasurer, Kati Knott- Secretary, Lesley Hopkins-Fundraising Director, Renee Trempe- Social Director, Everett Wilson-Stage Director, and Claudia Lee- Web designer.
New and Improved
The New and Improved Miss Deaf Michigan Pageant Association (MDMPA) is a non-profit organization that will continue the tradition of holding biennial pageants coinciding with the Michigan Deaf Association Conference.
A scholarship and ambassadorial program, the MDMPA’s focus is on building strong Deaf (female) leaders in the state of Michigan while providing young Deaf women with self-awareness and leadership training. Public presentation skills from other Deaf professional women and former Queens and contestants are also provided. The MDMPA’s contestants gain self-confidence and direction while learning to take on community responsibilities.
In September 2006, MDMPA held the first ever Junior Miss Deaf Michigan Pageant for young girls ages 9 to 12 at Michigan School for the Deaf. On July 28, 2007, the first Miss Deaf Teen Michigan Pageant was held in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the Michigan Deaf Association conference. It was an instant success.
MDMPA is raising the bar for Michigan’s Deaf youth. Please! Join us in our quest to build strong Deaf leaders…“One Crown at a Time.”
A Pageant First
The first Miss Deaf Teen Michigan, Karlee Gruetzner and Mr. Deaf Teen Michigan, Ray McCall will compete in the Mr. and Miss Teen Deaf America Pageant at Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington, D.C. on March 5-8th.
New MDMPA Website
On April 6th, 2007 the Miss Deaf Michigan Pageant Association launched their new website design.
On our new site we've made it easy for you to access information. Site features include, color themed categories for Miss, Teen and Junior sections.
We've also added a Flash Image Gallery of all of our previous photo archives.
