PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Gabe Schmidt,who is doing his summer project on obscure pageants of the past, we bring you this wonderfully silly picture of the week. Schmidt found this "groovy" photo in an old TV Guide from October 24, 1965, while researching that TV gem from years gone by..."Queen for a Day."

In the picture we see Carolyn Mignini, Miss Teenage America 1964 showing pageant host Bud ("Beat the Clock") Collyer how to do the Frug. For our youngers students who only think in term of Miss Teen USA, the Miss Teenage America Pageant was a biggie in the 1960's and was televised on CBS in a 90-minute showing.

In 1965, some 3,000 girls between the ages of 13 & 17 competed in the nations major cities before the final 60(!) were selected. All the contestants had to pass a written exam in addition to being judged in personal interviews and talent competition. The winner received a $10,000, four-year scholarship to the university of her choice.

We think this photo is as hokey as they come, and if you look closely you might find the tiny crown hidden in Carolyn's teased hair. Carolyn, incidentally went on to a sucessful career as an actress in Broadway musicals and is still working in New York.

Although Bud Collyer is no longer with us, we can still find traces of his dancing ability in the current Vice President of the United States, Al Gore.