Blast from the Past – Miss Clearwater Pageant 1970

The Jaycee-sponsored  Miss Clearwater Pageant was held March 12-14, 1970 at the Clearwater Auditorium with 15 girls vying for the title. The theme was “Moonbeam ’70” with the girls entering the stage from a simulated space capsule. The girls were students from Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin High Schools and SPJC. Most of the girls from CHS came to the attention of the Miss Clearwater Pageant by way of the Dean, Miss Myers. The contestants were Catherine Sorenson representing Miss Florida Fabrics,  Debra Drown representing Miss Dick Mills Heating and Air,  Lauralie Vinson representing Miss Adco Sign Company, Rosemary Leonard representing Miss Dino Diliberti Painting,  Gyla Wood representing Miss Ziebart, Vicki Byerly representing Miss Florida Custom Homes, Cynthia Jones representing Miss Keppie Travel Bureau, Gale Baxter representing Miss Robby’s Pancake House, Vicki Cupp representing Miss Funmate,  Shannon Reed representing Miss Sunshine Mall,  Gina Poletz representing Miss Company A, Florida National Guard, Deborah Green representing Miss Evening Sertoma,  Susan Havel representing Miss Keepsake Bridal Boutique, Susan Knight representing Miss Moose Lodge and the winner was Arlene Dinsmore representing Miss Sweat’s Flower Shop.

I only posted pictures of the ladies I could reach and they all gave permission! Gina Poletz is in Picture 1/ 2, Shannon Reed is in Picture 3/4 , Vicki Cupp is Picture 5 and Lauralie Vinson is in Picture 6.

https://pinellasmemory.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/ . Some of the pictures are courtesy of the Clearwater Public Library System and some came directly from the  program (Thank You Vicki Cupp). In searching the internet I can find a report of a 1971 Miss Clearwater contest but nothing else pops up for Clearwater.

Jean Homan