Dear Jennifer, John, and Jason,
As the mother of an incredible 17 year old daughter, I just wanted to thank-you for helping her become a Phenominal 17 year old woman. The last two years that she has participated in the Miss Nebraska Teen USA Pageant have helped her become the truly beautiful person she is. Along with Don Baker she learned some important lessons which will help her in the years to come as she prepares to go on to college and med school. You have all made her feel special as I know you do for all the girls and that is so important today. She has been in other pageant systems before and has never felt the genuine concern and compassion that you have shown these girls. You have taught her a valuable lesson in "raising the bar" for herself and I believe it has and will continue to make her a better person. I appreciate everything you have done for her and just wanted to let you know as a parent I am very proud of her accomplishments these last two years. Again ThankYou.
Sincerely, Cheryl Myers
Mother of Danni Myers (3rd runner-Up Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2006)
John,
How can words ever express how much we appreciate and admire the way you have transformed our little girl into a beautiful, confident young woman? I just wanted to write you a brief letter letting you know how much my husbandand I appreciate the opportunity to get to know you and your staff. You have exceeded yourself when you help these girls get out of their comfort zone to try new things. Crystal has dreamed of runway since she was a little girl and a window has opened for her because of you. We realize that an opportunity doesn't come around very often and when it does she needs to be ready. Without your training and confidence in her she wouldn't have been ready. Now, we will wait and see what happens. Dreams do come true. You are a very rare man in that you sincerely love and want to help these girls achieve all that they can. You deserve the best in the world and we will be praying for you. Again, thanks from our hearts.
Jeff and Debra Glidden
Parents of Crystal Glidden (Miss Oklahoma Teen USA 2005)
John, Jason, and Jennifer,
Wow! Where do I begin when reflecting on my amazing experience with the Vannatta family? To simply have the honor to represent not only the state of Missouri, but also to have the added bonus of finding and becoming part of the Vannatta family all in one year’s time is still mind-boggling to me! My heart is filled with such respect and complete gratitude to the Vanbros family for not only becoming my rock of strength and wisdom during my reign as their state titleholder, but also being my #1 fans in preparing me mentally, physically, and emotionally for the national competition. But, the biggest aspect of this opportunity is that they loved ME as a person, not as a delegate, not as a titleholder, not as their second national winner, but simply as a young woman who took a chance at a new challenge!
I remember sitting in John’s office, which can be a bit overwhelming in itself, and seeing Keylee’s national crown and thinking to myself… if only I could make it to top 10, top 5, and then to be the last woman standing on that stage!! You see, for me, to make it that far based on nothing more than who I am and what I have shown these people over the last couple of weeks… it is still such an incredible concept and an even more incredible journey!
To me, the Vannatta’s will and have always been more than state producers and even more than friends. They are a part of who I am, who I have become, and the kind of person I strive to be! It extends far beyond the faces you see on their website. Their success is evident by the number of past titleholders that continue to support their pageants each and every year, along with the parents that give their energy and funds merely for their daughters to return simply for the experience. All of these people are part of my memories when I think of my pageant experience. I am just one out of thousands of girls that have been positively influenced by the Vannatta’s dedication to touching lives.
They have such a wonderful gift of supporting young woman and giving them a vehicle to pursue their personal goals and interests through this competition. Their everlasting friendship, open door, and giving hearts have been the biggest unexpected blessing in my life. I could have never imagined that from this one event in my life, I would be given so much guidance, support, and love! I am a better person for knowing and having been a part of the Vanbros family and thank them for showing me such an astonishing amount of respect, friendship, love and commitment through the years that has extended far beyond my reign as Miss Teen USA and Miss Missouri Teen USA 2001. I will always be grateful for the intangible feelings and memories they have given me, not to mention the photos! But also for enabling the greatest opportunities of my life to unfold and shape my life! I will always love you guys and do what I can to make sure that other women have this once-in-a-lifetime chance to better themselves, meet lifelong friends, and find their full potential through Vanbros!
Marissa Whitley
Miss Missouri Teen USA 2001
MISS TEEN USA 2001
John, Jason, and Jennifer,
We just watched the Teen USA pageant along with everyone else and it brought back some memories. First, congratulations on Kansas and Oklahoma making the top 15 this year! It was great for the Vanbros organization to have two girls up there.
I really just wanted to make sure you knew how much we appreciated the way that you and everyone with your organization treated Carissa during her time as Miss Kansas Teen USA. You could not have been more encouraging and supportive in Palm Springs, and all throughout the year you guys did so many fantastic things that made her feel like you were behind her and believed in her. Her year was an opportunity that very few get to experience, and I know that she is very grateful for it, but I wanted to let you know as her father how special you made the experience. If every girl who has worn a crown with your organization gets the same treatment and I am sure they do, every one of them should be thankful that your organization is the one managing their state. Best of luck to you with all the new state pageants coming up this fall.
Thanks,
Mike Kelley
Father of Miss Kansas Teen USA 2004
Dear John and Jennifer,
I just wanted to write and let you know what a wonderful time we had this past weekend during the Miss Oklahoma USA Pageant. You are to be commended for providing such a gratifying pageant experience for all who participated. Although there could only be two "winners", you succeeded so well in making all the girls feel like winners and gave each one special prizes to take home in the way of new friendships, greater self esteem and confidence. Synthia was very impressed with the Judges and felt she was given a chance to really relate to them on an individual basis and get to know them while they were getting to know her. She feels privileged to have been chosen 2nd runner-up. As a parent, I appreciate your interest in my daughter and the wholesome atmosphere that you provide for the contestants and the high moral standard displayed by your leadership. Both of you have an amazing gift of enthusiasm and motivation that positively affects the parents as well as the girls. There was such a good feeling after the performance on Sunday night among the girls and the parents which is so unusual in other pageant systems. Again, thank you so much for investing your time and effort into Oklahoma.
Sincerely, Phyllis Shaw
(parent of Miss Greater Oklahoma USA)
Dear John, Jennifer and Staff,
I wanted to write a brief note to everyone of the Vanbros Staff. I want to thank all of you for making my 3rd year the best at Miss Kansas USA I've ever had. I not only walked away with friendships that I will have for a lifetime, but all of you did so much to make sure that we had the time of our lives. You helped us all remember we are winners no matter how we place. I have enjoyed being a part of the pageant family and all of you have made sure that I know I always will be. You have helped me to become a more confident individual and to realize that I can whip the world! I cannot express enough my gratitude to you John and Jennifer for being such great, wonderful, and supportive pageant producers. You make a great team and you have made me feel like a Miss Kansas USA. My sincerest thank you again to all of you for making the pageant weekend the best experience and greatest time of my life. I'll see you next year! Thanks for all you do!
Heather Wallard
Miss Miami County Kansas USA
John and Jennifer,
As I have watched Kelsey begin preparing for the upcoming pageant it is amazing to see how much she has changed since last year. I would have never imagined that being in the pageant last fall would have had such a positive impact on Kelsey's life. The pageant has helped her step out of her comfort zone. I learned a lot from last year's pageant too. I realized that I needed to take a back seat and let Kelsey dicover herself through this experience. As a parent it is hard to see. I just wanted to thank you for all you do to make this experience possible for Kelsey and the other delegates. I am confident that every girl that enters the pageant will somehow be changed in a positive way by the experience. Thanks again for everything you do.
Sincerely, Michelle Pitman
Mother of Kelsey Tatro
Dear Jennifer,
Just wanted to say thank you for all your encouragement in the pageant. You were so inspiring to me and I really appreicate your sincerity. I enjoyed being around you. Thank you again for all your support.
Sincerely,
Shannon Walter
Dear Jennifer,
I just want to tell you thank you for a wonderful weekend. I had the best time and I enjoyed meeting all the other delegates. Everyone was so nice. You and your brother do an awesome job. Your parents should be very proud of you. I wanted to take the time and let you know how much everything meant to my family and myself. You are an inspiration to me. Thanks for all your hard work.
Sincerely,
Brooke Watterson
Miss Ava Fox Trot Teen
John,
I wanted to write and thank for letting me share in the festivities with you last week. It was my pleasure. This is a great thing you do for these young people and our city.
Good Luck,
Jack Danforth (1997)
Dear John and Jennifer,
We just wanted to send you a note of thanks for all that you did to make the Miss Kansas Teen USA Pageant such a wonderful and learing experience for our daughter. Because you have taken the time and money to conduct this pageant in such a professional and thorough manner, many young ladies such as our daughter were given the chance to expand their scope of learning, social skills, and talents which will, over time, be invaluable in both their business and personal live. We have witnessed the growth and improvement in our daughter because of all she has learned and strived for, and we cannot say thank-you enough. Again, many thanks for all you do.
Truly,
Thomas and Tamara Jones
(parents)
Jennifer,
I'm glad that I was finally able to meet you at the seminar in Norman. I appreciate you taking the time to put together a workshop for the contestants. It was not only helpful, but it was nice to meet the other contestants before the pageant weekend. I'm looking forward to competing.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Gibson
Miss Moore USA
Jennifer,
I just wanted to thank you for all the wonderful support and encouragement you gave me over the weekend of the pageant. It will be an experience I will never forget. Nebraska is so blessed to have you and John as directors. I look forward to competing next year.
Sincerely,
Mickey Dice
Miss Omaha USA
Dear Jennifer and John,
Thanks so much for everything. You both are awesome. You two made my first pageant a memory I will forever cherish. I just can't thank you enough.
Thanks again,
Ashley Cowan
Miss Watonga Teen USA
Dear Jennifer,
I wanted to write you a brief note to express my gratitude. Your help, motivation, and genuine excitement is refreshing and has not gone unnoticed. I'm ecstatic and thankful for this opportunity. Every experience makes you stronger. Once again thank you for you graciousness.
Sincerely,
Katie Whitney
John, Jennifer and staff,
Thanks you so much for the 4 years with all of you. My pageant experiences with you have been amazing. I have grown so much. I am getting married, so this is my last pageant with you. I love you all so much and I respect you greatly.
Sincerely,
Lesli Sons
Miss Tulsa County USA (Oklahoma)
John and Jennifer,
I have known the Vannatta's for severl years and have been impressed with the professionalism in which they run the USA programs. It has been an honor to judge for John. I have seen contestants grow in such positive ways over the years as a result of them going after their dreams. It truly is a personal development program.
Linda Loveless
Mrs. Kansas America 1999
Jennifer and John,
Staci had more fun at the Miss Missouri Teen USA Pageant than she has ever had at any of her pageants. She made lasting frienships that are priceless. Even though she didn't place, the experience was wonderful. Thanks for the Memories!
Sandy and Staci Holland
Dear John, Jennifer and staff,
Thank you so much for all the support and help you gave to me. I really appreciated it. I had a lot of fun and hope to see you next year.
Sincerely,
Sheena Winther
Miss Midwest USA (Nebraska)
Dear John and Jennifer,
Thanks for all you did for the Miss Nebraska USA/Teen USA Pageant this year. I had so much fun the year, expecially at the elementary schools. Your pageant is an awesome event and you both are such sweet and helpful people. I can't wait until next year.
Thank you,
Meagan Winings
Miss Sandhills Teen USA
Just wanted to say a special thanks for such a great weekend! The pageant was great and I know there was a lot of hard work put into it. I was greatly appreciated. You are great christian people and it was a privilege spending time with you.
Thanks again,
Laine Fish
Miss Douglas County Teen
Dear Jennifer and John,
Thank you so much for all the wonderful work the two of you did for the pageant this year. I really appreciate the way you treated me. It was like I was family. You are both a blessing to the pageant community! I hope to see you soon!
Thanks again,
Rachel Paxton
Dear John, Jennifer and staff,
I wanted to thank you all for making our first trip to Miss Missouri USA such a wonderful experience. My daughter, Carrie Cowgill, Miss Columbia USA, had a fabulous time. Not only was this our first trip to Miss Missouri USA, but it was the first time we participated in a pageant where I was not required to chaperone. Carrie has done nothing but praise the quality of chaperoning, organization, and helpfulness of your staff. GOOD JOB! Thank you so very much for all your hard work, diligence, and dedication to these young ladies. Your organization is truly an example-setter for what a quality pageant should be.
Sincerely,
Kathy Cowgill
Mother of Miss Columbia USA
John and Jennifer and staff,
I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you all for making my first pageant experience a great one! I had so much fun and met so many great people. Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Robyn Watkins
Miss Norman Oklahoma USA
Dear John and Jennifer,
Thank you for making my first Miss Missouri Teen USA experience so wonderful! I had so much fun, I'm already excited for next year. You guys do an awesome job running the pageant and making every girl feel like part of the "pageant family." I really enjoyed spending the week with you and look forward to seeing you again next year.
Sincerely,
Alissa Reitmeier
Miss St. Charles Teen USA
To Everyone that helped with the Miss Missouri Teen USA Pageant -
I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful week in Poplar Bluff. Not only did I make a ton of new friends, I also learned more about myself in those 4 days than I have in a long time. I can honestly say that because of the pageant I am a much stronger person with a lot more ambition. I also wanted to say thank you to the staff. They were all wonderful and I appreciate everthing you did for us. I can't wait until next year.
Meghan Munos
Miss Greater St. Louis Teen USA
Dear John and Jennifer,
Thank you for all the hard work and care you put into the Oklahoma USA/Teen USA pageant. You make each girl feel very special and you help them believe in themself. Robin had a wonderful time participating in the Miss Oklahoma Teen USA Pageant. Thanks again for all you do.
God Bless,
The Davis Family
Jennifer and John,
I want to thank you, so much for encouraging me to stick in there and bending over backwards to help me out. That means so much to me. The show is so wonderful every year and I have so much fun. I'm so glad I got involved with the pageant. I have met so many wonderful people and grown up so much. I may not get the crown, but I have won alot that is just as important. You guys are great.
Love you guys,
Jennifer Larkin
Dear John
I just wanted to say thanks for letting me be in the pageant. I had such an amazing time! Everything was so much fun and all the girls were not just gorgeous, but incredibly nice. I felt bad for the judges because it would have been a tough choice. Both the winners really did deserve it. You and your sister are great people and I'll hopefully see you later in the year. Thanks for everthing.
Sincerely, Kayla Myhre
Miss Millard Teen USA (Nebraska)
John and Jennifer,
Scott and I want to thank you again for your efforts with the Miss Kansas USA/Teen USA Pageant. It was once again a wonderful experience for Kelsey. She had a goal to make it in the finals and she achieved her goal. We are so proud of her. It was amazing to see her shine on stage with such confidence. We can't say enouth good things about Vanbros and the opportunity. We will forever be supporters. Thanks you again for everything. May God continue to use both of you in the lives of young women.
Sincerely, Scott and Michelle Pitman
Just a note of thanks for the well organized, enjoyable Nebraska Pageant. I realize what hard work and patience you must require to complete the production of the pageant. As a parent of a Teen delegate, I was very pleased with security and accomodations provided.
Sincerely, Jean Volker
John Vannatta of VANBROS and Associates Inc. does pageants proud. I first judged the Miss Missouri USA pageant in 2001 and was impressed with the professionalism of his organization. His entire team is well coordinated. Coming from a pageant background, I strongly believe pageants are a great learning tool for young ladies and it is such an added advantage to have a director that cares and helps you in the process. Bravo to John!
Rena Ramiah Stessman
MISS SINGAPORE 1993
I think pageants are a tremendous opportunity for young women, and anyone considering entering should! My first pageant experience was in 1995 when I entered MISS KANSAS TEEN USA. I had such a good time, made so many new friends, and learned exciting new things. I came back the next year and won! Through all of my memorable experiences as MISS KANSAS TEEN USA 1996 I knew that someday I wanted to continue as a titleholder so I set my next goal: to be MISS KANSAS USA! I actually won the title in 1999. Being MISS KANSAS USA was one of the most exciting, rewarding, and memorable years of my life and has greatly contributed to my success today as well as in all facets of my life. Pageants gave me a realm to focus all of my energy towards and goals to meet. I personally gained and benefited from my pageant experiences in ways that are too numerous to name. I have developed so many friendships at both the state and national level. In closing, I would just like to encourage anyone who is considering a pageant produced by VANBROS and Associates, Inc. to go for it...go for your dreams! Only you can make it happen. You will work with the most professional and first-class group of people in the business today, who truly care about you and your success! All the best to you.
Amanda Carraway
MISS KANSAS TEEN USA 1996
MISS KANSAS USA 1999