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Last-second sponsors save Miss Tucson

Arizona Daily Wildcat Photo by: AARON FARNSWORTH Lauren Hickey, ASUA senator and Miss Tucson U.S.A., lost part of her financial backing for the Miss Arizona Pageant when a sponsor withdrew a contribution. Two local businesses contributed to her chosen charity at the last minute.

All seemed to be in order on Oct. 13 as Miss Tucson USA, Lauren Hickey, drove to pick up the final check from the last of her financial sponsors.

The $1,200 gown was ready, her hair and nail appointments had been scheduled and she was prepared to leave for Phoenix the following morning to participate in the Miss Arizona USA and Miss Teen Arizona USA pageant Saturday night.

She thought she was on her way to a problem free weekend.

She was wrong.

One of her more charitable sponsors pulled the plug at the last minute, leaving her in a mad search for cash just three days before the pageant.

"It wasn't backing out so much on me as much as it was to the charity," said Hickey, an ASUA senator, biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology junior. "The first thought that went through my mind was I could not believe it - how unprofessional."

Hickey represents Big Brothers and Big Sisters and a percentage of her pageant entrance fees support charities.

"It threw me off focus of preparing my interview - I was so disappointed (because) I didn't behave disrespectfully. In all honestly, he flaked out on me," she said.

After the shock hit that she was $500 short, Hickey inquired help from people within her social sphere.

Associated Students President Cisco Aguilar suggested she speak with Gloria Smith, UA director of development in student life.

"What she told me on the phone was so compelling I had to follow though," Smith said.

Smith immediately called Michael Butterbrodt, co-owner of Inglis Florist, 2362 E. Broadway Blvd., and asked if he would donate money. Butterbrodt said he would be willing to give money if another business owner contributed as well.

Smith called Joe Cristiani, president of Joe Cristiani mobile communications, 6802 E. Broadway Blvd., to see if he could donate money to Hickey as well.

"Gloria said (Hickey) needs $500 and two people came to (her) mind and she told me I should challenge Joe," Butterbrodt said. "I said I'll pledge $250 if Joe pledges $250."

Cristiani said he had no problem pledging the second half of the bill.

"It was a challenge by Inglis Florist ... we don't like to be outdone, we're a very competitive bunch over here," Cristiani said. He added that it was a friendly, mock competition between the two companies.

"I like seeing young people get involved in the community in charitable (organizations and involvement) .... If our contribution can help someone through research or contribution, that money couldn't be better spent," he said.

Hickey, who said she believes she came in eighth place in the Miss Arizona USA pageant, received the Miss of Distinction award at the ceremony in Phoenix last weekend.

Heather Keckler, Miss Scottsdale USA, won the pageant.

Neither Butterbrodt, Cristiani or Hickey have met each other but both Butterbrodt and Cristiani each made a $250 contribution to Hickey "out of their hearts," she said.

Smith, who initiated the call for contributions, said "I would sing to their (Butterbrodt and Cristiani) praises ... because they have their favorite causes but they help people outside of their favorite causes."

Butterbrodt's and Cristiani's donations went basically unnoticed.

"They are not really getting anything out of it," Hickey said. "I have a full page ad with all my sponsors on it ... Joe and Inglis came in after the book was published so there was no way I could get their name out there."