Mrs. Michigan United States® Pageant Staff
The Mrs. Michigan United States® staff consists of a group of professionals who are dedicated to providing you with the ultimate pageant experience!
 Executive Director and Producer - Kristina Austin Scarcelli
Kristina resides in Canton, Michigan with her husband Jason and their menagerie of pets. She has nearly 30 years of experience in pageantry. In addition to being our own Mrs. Michigan United States 2006 and a special award winner at the Mrs. United States Pageant, Kristina was Miss Michigan Hemisphere 1991 and a runner-up to Miss Ohio 1989 (MAO). She held the local Miss America titles of Miss Central Ohio, Miss Northwestern Ohio, and Miss Toledo and was the recipient of the Miss America Quality of Life Award at her state pageant in 1989. She is a dean’s list graduate of the University of Toledo (Ohio) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and a personal minor in music.
Kristina has worked as a professional vocalist and musician since 1992. She sings at upscale venues, corporate functions, and private parties and enjoys performing and recording torch jazz, Americana, and country music. A highlight of Kristina’s vocal performance career is a tour of Asia in 1994 - 1995, performing 86 concerts for American military personnel stationed there. Her original music has received Gavin-reporting FM radio airplay in the U.S. and has appeared on the top 40 country music charts in Europe. Kristina has opened for several national artists and has performed at venues such as the Opryland Hotel and the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Her music is featured on iTunes, Amazon.com Mp3, Napster.com, and Rhapsody.com. Kristina also enjoys her work in photography and graphic art and was was thrilled to have her photography included in the Pure Art of Michigan Art Exhibit at the Plymouth Community Arts Council in April of 2011.
Kristina is committed to her community outreach efforts on behalf of American veterans and enjoys speaking at schools, libraries, museums, and for history-related events. She also enjoys donating her time as a history tutor, especially assisting in student research for Civil War projects and reports. Kristina was recently honored to appear as guest speaker at the Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial "Plowshares to Swords" Exhibit Ribbon Cutting in Lansing on April 12, 2011 - the 150th anniversary of the Confederate firing on Fort Sumter. A sixth-generation Michigander whose ancestors first came to Detroit in the 1840s, Kristina is a member of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the Austin Families Association of America, Austin Families Genealogical Society, and has been a governor-appointed Honorary Kentucky Colonel for 20 years.
 Executive Producer - Jason Scarcelli
Jason works as a booking agent for Lorio-Ross Sterling Entertainment, the Midwest's largest talent agency. Specializing in dueling piano shows, Jason is a familiar face in the entertainment industry in Michigan and across the country. He is also the owner / operator of Dueling Pianos International and LRS College Entertainment. Jason is an all-around musician skilled on bass, piano, guitar, harmonica, and as a songwriter.
He began playing bass for his church's praise and worship team at the age of 13 and, at 16 years of age, Jason began touring as bassist for the national gospel act, The Mamreans. Jason graduated from the prestigious Stamps - Baxter School of Music at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee at 18. During his travels with The Mamreans, Jason had the pleasure of performing alongside J.D. Sumner, Jimmy Blackwood, Doyle Dykes, Perfect Heart, and Big John Hall.
Later, while pursuing his Bachelor's degree at Eastern Michigan University, Jason worked as a session musician, contributing to four full-length recording projects. He played bass with the Tri-City Christian Center Praise and Worship team and for several regional blues bands. Most notably, Jason had a brush with fame and fortune as a member of the college-rock band, Blissfield.
Today, Jason continues playing bass in church whenever possible and is a highly sought-after session bassist. He is a BMI-affiliated songwriter and collaborates with his wife, Kristina, on a variety of original music projects. He is also affectionately known to friends and family as Mr. Michigan United States 2006.
 Master of Ceremonies - Kyla Marcial
Kyla has been married to Michael for almost seven years. They are proud parents of two children, Malayna, five and Michael, three -- and one on the way! Kyla graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She then obtained her Master of Social Work degree from Wayne State University. Kyla has been a school social worker with special needs children for eleven years. Kyla has also co-written and implemented a divorce recovery program for children called “Oasis”. She is also a small business owner of “Lil Fleur Designs,” making custom hair accessories for girls. Kyla has partnered with one of her community organizations and local hospitals to donate these hair accessories to children who have lost their hair to cancer.
Volunteering since the age of ten, Kyla actively promotes her platform that is very dear to her heart, “Every Child Deserves a Better Tomorrow.” She is dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of issues that impact children through Ronald McDonald House, the Pope John XXIII Hospitality House, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, Feed the Children, and Nino Salvaggio Charitable Foundation for Children in Need.
 Assistant Director - Kelly Cicotte
Kelly is a 39-year-old resident of Woodhaven. In July 2008, she married her best friend of 20 years, Edward Cicotte. She is proud mother of Tyler, who is turning 17 in one month.
Kelly has degrees in Science and Dental Hygiene and has been a Registered Dental Hygienist at Parkside Dental Team for ten years. She is a volunteer for Michigan Make-A-Wish Foundation and an advocate for Children’s Dental Health Awareness.
 Assistant Director - Jeannette Greco Pawlowski
Our own Mrs. Michigan United States 2009, Jeannette is married to her best friend Michael and they are raising a lovely eight-year-old daughter named Charlotte. Her family resides in Commerce Township and together they enjoy living off Commerce Lake boating and playing on the beach. Jeannette has two furry children, a Labrador Retriever named Sandy and her baby a Teacup Yorki named Spanky. She loves hiking and walking her dogs. One of her favorite things to do is go shopping with her Yorki and buy him new clothes!
Jeannette graduated from Madonna University with two separate bachelor degrees in Education and in Public Relations / Marketing / Event Planning. She is an active volunteer in the community and donates her time and efforts to help the organizations that are dear to her heart. Jeannette helps and gives to The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Camp Casey (a therapeutic horseback riding camp for kids with cancer) and the Detroit Ronald McDonald House.
Jeannette is also the Executive Director of the Miss Lady of the Lakes Pageant, a local Miss Michigan / Miss America Organization Scholarship Pageant. Her second pageant as director will be held October 8, 2011 at Lakeland High School in White Lake, Michigan. Jeannette is very proud to be the new director of this scholarship program, which gives ladies in Michigan the opportunity to be awarded many college scholarships and pursue their Miss America dreams!
Jeannette has worked as a model for many years and has appeared in ads and at many local promotional events.
Jeannette’s hobbies include gardening, photography, cheering on her daughter in all of her activities, and planning parties and events. She also enjoys horseback riding, working out, decorating her home, and mentoring young ladies in pageants. Her passion for traveling has taken her around the globe to adventures in 27 countries on both sides of the equator. From whitewater rafting to climbing volcanoes, she loves new adventures.
 Assistant Director - Sharolyn Metternich
Sharolyn is the reigning Mrs. Michigan Galaxy 2011. She is a proud mother of three and grandmother of four with a fifth due in July. She is a military mother with two sons-in-law proudly serving our country in the Air Force and Army. Sharolyn and her husband Jeff are celebrating 20 wonderful years of marriage, own Metternich Farms, and together work over 100 acres of farm land.
Sharolyn is passionate about her platform "Stepping Out". She encorages others to step out of their comfort zone and try something new that they have never tried before. "We all have something we think we can't do, and who knows -- it may be that one thing that you were born to do!"
Sharolyn is an avid sportswoman and hunter and works with many different charities and organizations. Those include: Hunt for A Cure, NWTF Women in the Outdoors and Jakes programs, Sportsmen Against Hunger, Go Red for Women, Hookin' Up Heroes and Newaygo County Sportsmen's Club. Sharolyn works with individuals to raise money for cancer benefits and volunteers much of her time to local food banks. She founded "The Queen's Garden Project" which encourages others to plant a garden or just an extra row or two to donate to local food banks. "Everyone should be able to provide fresh produce to their families!"
Sharolyn was elected as an MUCC representative for a two-year term and will be honored in September as an Esteemed Women of Michigan. She will represent Michigan at the International Galaxy Pageant in Chicago, IL and is working towards bringing home the International Crown to Michigan!
 Assistant Director - Khristian Alexander
Khristian Alexander and her husband Tim have been married for 12 1/2 years and together they have three children. She received her education from the University of Michigan, Henry Ford Community College, and the Douglas J. Aveda Institute where she currently works as a Cosmetology Instructor.
Khristian finds time to balance her career and is Co-Founder of Elysian Business Group and the non-profit True Beauty Ministries, which provide interactive programs for women and young ladies throughout Metro Detroit that teach self-esteem, character development, etiquette, & HIV/AIDS Awareness.
She is involved in her community as a Boy Scout parent volunteer, and is a member of the YWCA, an organization devoted to eliminating racism and empowering women. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, reading motivational books, and spending quality time with her family.
 Associate Producer - Jim Montgomery
Jim has resided in the beautiful community of Manchester, Michigan, about 50 miles west of Detroit, for over 20 years. He is a member of several local charitable clubs and is a Legion member. Jim has worked in the printing industry for Malloy, Inc. for over 20 years. His hobbies are working on old classic cars, woodworking, and playing pool.
Jim has six wonderful children: two boys and four girls. His eldest daughter is an engineer, the second-born daughter is an artist, his third daughter is a promising singer and songwriter, and his youngest girl is in college. Jim has one son who recently returned from a tour of duty with the United States Army in Iraq and who enjoys working with electronics and another who works as a singer / songwriter.
 Associate Producer - Jim Conklin
Jim is a 52-year resident of Dexter, Michigan. He is the owner / operator of JPC Plaster and Drywall and specializes in historic restoration, cornices, decorative rings, and Venetian plaster. Jim has recently added to his repertoire of plaster work: mold making and casting of original artwork for sculptors.
Jim enjoys playing guitar and singing as a hobby and performs in nursing homes, coffee houses, and around the campfire.
He recently made his musical theatre debut as an ensemble cast member in the Encore Musical Theatre Company’s February 2009 production of “Evita”. Jim also enjoys boating and spending time with his lovely wife Sveta.
 Production Assistant - Haleigh Fairbanks
Haleigh is a 17-year-old student at Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores, where she is an active participant in many leadership roles. She will be competing in June for the title of Miss Michigan’s Outstanding Teen.
Her personal platform is Teen Skin Cancer Prevention. Her hope is to educate teens on the dangers of what tanning and over exposure to the sun can do. Her ultimate goal is to encourage young woman to feel beautiful in their own skin and find their beauty from within.
 Hospitality Director – Debbie St. Amand
Debbie is a proud mother of two children, Haleigh and Michael, her greatest gifts in life! She is a graduate of The International Academy Of Design in Chicago and works in advertising and continues to freelance as an Interior Designer.
Debbie is a recent Melanoma Skin Cancer survivor after a six-year battle and is dedicated to promoting healthy attitudes toward the sun, an active advocate in skin cancer prevention and education, and encourages the message that pale is pretty! Debbie volunteers with The Pink Fund keeps busy with her children and embraces the simple things in life!
 Judging Director - Shelly Schutt
Shelly is the owner / operator of Chi Maéra by Shelly Schutt, custom dressmaker for pageants, bridal, prom, and dance. She is the state costume sponsor for Mrs. Michigan United States® 2006 and official seamstress for the Mrs. Michigan United States® Pageant.
She also works as a dental hygienist for in Trenton, Michigan and a sales consultant for Trisha Boutique in Woodhaven, Michigan. Shelly been married for 29 years and has three children.
Shelly enjoys staying active with her church. Shelly has served as costumer for the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center for nearly 15 years, providing costumes for numerous productions. She is the curator for the gallery for the Trenton Village Theatre and heads the committee for special events for the theatre, planning balls and fundraisers to further renovate this Downriver gem.
 Choreographer – Theresa Butkovich
Theresa began her ballet training with Rose Marie Floyd at age four and studied with her for over 14 years where she was trained in the Cecchetti Method. As a student, she was awarded numerous scholarships demonstrating outstanding talent and was invited to attend the Royal Danish Ballet School. She continued to study ballet in New York with renowned teachers at the Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, in England and Paris.
Theresa has performed with the Boston Ballet Company and the Contemporary Civic Ballet Company. She has performed many principal roles. On her return to Michigan, she continued her teaching studies in the Cecchetti Method and now holds the Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma. Theresa currently teaches ballet and Pilates at the Floyd School.
 Featured Entertainers - Anna Butkovich, Anna Rose Daugherty, Madeleine Keller, and Audrey Kennedy
Anna Butkovich is a Sophomore at Groves High School, Anna Rose Daugherty attends Holy Name Catholic School, Madeleine Keller is a Freshman at Ferndale High School, and Audrey Kennedy is a Freshman at Groves High School. They all study with Theresa Butkovich at Rose Marie Floyd Studio of Dance.
 Choreographer - Diane Mancinelli
Diane directs the Henry Ford Community College Dance Program and Full Circle Dance Company. She holds B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit. Diane has created and produced three dance concerts for children, ”D is for DANCE”, “Food for Thought,” and “T'was the Night Before Christmas”, for which she has received the Distinguished Service to the Arts award from the State of Michigan and the City of Farmington Hills. In addition to the concerts for young audiences, she has produced and directed 20 Annual Spring Dance Concerts at HFCC. She also received the Dearborn Mayor's Arts Educator Award in 2000.
Diane directs programs off-campus in schools and other venues and brought the college dance company to Italy to perform for the country's biggest summer festival in 2001. Aside from a particular interest in children's dance and theatre and full-time college class teaching, she has choreographed numerous musicals at HFCC.
For further information about the dance curriculum or Full Circle Dance Company at Henry Ford Community College, please contact Diane Mancinelli, Artistic Director, at 313-845-6314 or dmancin@hfcc.edu.
 Featured Entertainers - The Henry Ford Community College Full Circle Dance Company
The mission of the HFCC Full Circle Dance Company is to provide a comprehensive, quality education and a broad spectrum of performance experiences in various genres. Equal emphasis is placed on Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Ballroom and Folk Derivatives. In addition to many performances on and off campus over the last 20 years, the college dance company performed in Italy’s region of Abruzzo in 2001 for one of the country’s most celebrated summer festivals.
Dance company students have attended many American College Regional Dance Festivals over the years, including the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Denison University in Ohio, Southwest Texas State University and many others. Master classes have also been offered at HFCC by professional companies such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Eliot Feld Ballet and Maria del Carmen and students have worked with many resident artists from dance companies and universities all over the state. In 2010, the company traveled to Ohio University in Athens for the American College Dance Festival. In March, 2011, the dance company traveled to the University of Akron for the American College Regional Dance Festival to participate and perform in an adjudication and informal concert.
Appearing for the company will be Justin Alesna, Teresa Alvarez, Monica Brady-Barnard, Emmanuel Daniel, Antonio Hardrick, Latoria Harrison, Donna Hura, Joi Jones, Maria LoPiccolo, Helena Murphy, Dinah Ouano-Perren, D'Andre Reid, Myisha Smiley, Alyssa Thomas and Ira Todman.
 Choreographer - Tonia Deliz
Tonia is the owner of Deliz DanceSport in Wyandotte and has been performing and competing in ballroom dance for the past 23 years. She has won several competitions and top teacher awards throughout the United States and Canada.
Tonia has performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and for many fundraisers such as The Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, the Taylor Community and Cultural Arts, and for autism awareness.
 Featured Entertainers - Chandra (CC) Hall and Myron Thomas
Chandra (CC) Hall is a native of Detroit, She is very devoted to her family. Her contributions to society have been total dedication to the youth in her community as a previous Home Daycare provider of TNG-CC’S Home Day Care for 20 years.
She has instructed many in the art of “Club Ballroom” and is a Member/ Teacher of “The Tampa Soulful Steppers”. She placed in the “Newport Rhythm and Soul” dance Contest, won third place in the “Motor City Ballroom Competition and won 2nd place Original in 2008 local Detroit Steppin' Competition with “Steppin' Across America”.
CC is known in the poetic world for her reading and writings. She is also devoted to the Whistmaster’s Card Playing Club, The Optimist Club of Central Detroit, and The Great Commission Fellowship Church. She is currently presuming her studies at the HFCC in Elementary Education.
Myron Thomas resides in Southfield, MI is Married to Tara Green-Thomas. He received his studies from Trinity College. He enjoys playing basketball and is a big fan of the Detroit Piston, Lions, Tigers and Red Wings. He is active in the Arts and Entertainment World and frequents Chene Park.
Myron can be found at numerous social affairs being creative in many styles of dancing such as Salsa, Bop, Chicago Step and Club Ballroom. He is also knowledgeable in math and computers.
 Television Coordinator and Videographer – Daryl James
Daryl has shot many video events around the metro Detroit area over the past decade, ranging from rock band promos, comedy stand-up routines, training and exercise, and numerous weddings, including the wedding of Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson.
In 2004, Daryl established his own video production company, DJLonS-V.G.A. He graduated from Henry Ford Community College (Phi Theta Kappa - Magna Cum Laude) and went on to Almeda University for a degree in Business Administration.
Currently, Daryl is attending the University of Michigan pursuing a degree in electronic communications, where he is holding a grade point average of 4.0.
 Photographer – Walter Kajder
Walter is a resident of Lincoln Park and has 20 years of photographic experience specializing in wedding, family, modeling, and glamour photography.
Photography will always be his passion, not just his job.
 Hair Stylist – Rita Benno
Rita received her education from Douglas J Aveda Institute in Royal Oak, MI. She is an outgoing, passionate stylist and takes great pride in what she does. Rita loves being creative and learning new styles and techniques.
Rita is a fashion forward stylist that likes to stay up to date with product knowledge, various hair styling techniques for men and women, special event styles, and make-up artistry.
 Hair Stylist – Kristy Lynn Schultz
Kristy received her education at Douglas J. Aveda Institute in Royal Oak, MI. She has worked as a hair and makeup artist for many local fashion shows, photo shoots, volunteer events and independent films.
Inspired by art and fashion, she uses her strong technical skills in combination with her creative imagination to deliver the latest, trendsetting art on hair and faces. She currently works at Redhouse Salon and Spa, in Shelby Township, MI.
 Makeup Artist – Brandi Myree
Brandi Myree is the founder of B. Beautiful Makeup Artistry and has worked as a freelance artist for more than five years. With a keen eye for creativity with color and strength in creating natural beauty looks, her work ranges from commercial to high fashion and her experience encompasses local fashion photo shoots and short film work, as well as weddings and other special events. Contact Brandi at brandiamyree@gmail.com.
Intelligent Lighting Technician – Kirk Rende
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