Welcome home, Mary Kathleen Barber!
As our first Miss Okeechobee County Fair
Queen, who was the first to represent
Okeechobee County
in the Miss Florida Teen USA pageant,
YOU should be as proud of yourself
as WE are proud of you!
 

Mary represented Okeechobee with smiles and style during the final competition!

You may have not taken home the crown, but having family &  friends who love and support you is what makes you a real winner!

 

Miss Florida USA,
Anastagia Pierre, congratulates Mary
on stage after the pageant.

Mary is warmly greeted by family and friends after
the pageant.  Everyone was so proud of her!

Mary congratulates the newly crowned
2009 Miss Florida Teen USA, Kayla Collier.
(Mary & Kayla were roommates in Hollywood.)

Above post-pageant photos were taken by Rafael Pacheco, Creations In Fotografia

Scroll down to see more post-pageant snap-shots taken by friends and family.
 

Many of Mary's family and friends attended the pageant, traveling from Okeechobee and Tennessee!
 

Mary smiles at her family as the
pageant comes to an end.
 

Mary and other contestants look on
as the new Miss Florida Teen USA is crowned.

Rafael joins Mary on stage to
take post-pageant photos.

More post-pageant photos of Mary's proudly representing Okeechobee will be posted.
 

Scrolled down to see photos of her wonderful journey which were posted
when she arrived in Hollywood on Thursday, October 2nd!

Pictured right:
On Thursday evening,
Mary models her interview
outfit,  making sure everything is ready for her interview with the judges on Friday.

  Mary's mother, Susan
and Donny Arnold, Okeechobee County Fair pageant director,
are in Hollywood with Mary
to help her prepare for her
great  weekend!

 

Mary's Schedule
Saturday, October 4th

8:30-9:15 Breakfast
9:30-12:30 Rehearsal

12:30-1:00 Lunch

1:00-5:30 Rehearsal
5:30-6:00 Dinner
6:00-7:00 Prepare for Competition
7:30 Competition Begins
9:15 Bused back to the Hotel

9:30-10:45 Visit with family and friends!
(First time they will get to see her since
dropping her off on Friday morning)

Mary's mom, Susan, and family members
along with Donny Arnold are sending
back great reports on Mary's progress.
Everyone is quite anxious because once Mary registered, she was on her own.
Parents, coaches and pageant directors
are not allowed to see or work with the girls.

Mary (right) is shown with fellow contestants
Morgan Lucas, Miss Florida West Coast Teen,
and Jenna Canfield, Miss Sarasota Teen, waiting for
their personal interview with the Judges on Friday.
 

Mary is doing great and is SO EXCITED
 She can't wait to come out on stage
 and see all of her friends and family in the audience.

After the personal interviews, the contestants met on Friday
for instructions and rehearsal.

Mary is shown with Angel
Bedenbaugh,
Miss Space Coast Teen
 

Mary is shown above having the time
of her life during
the first rehearsal on Friday

Mary Schedule
Sunday, October 5th

8:00 Bused to the Auditorium
8:30-9:00 Breakfast
9:00-11:00 Full Rehearsal

11:00-12:00 Lunch

12:00-1:15 Prepare for Competition
1:30-2:00 Taping for Television
2:00 Final Competition Begins
3:45 All contestants may leave with their family.

More photos will be posted
on Saturday evening.
Please visit back!
 

You can also visit
 www.virb.com/missfloridausa
to see daily pictures of all the
contestants and events!

Snapshots of Mary during and after her Saturday night competition: