Pascal Abi-samra waves to the crowd after being crowned Miss Lebanon Emigrants 2011. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab

DEARBORN – On Thursday May 24 Miss Lebanon Emigrants USA pageant was held at Greenfield Manor in Dearborn. Fourteen female contestants from all over the country participated in the pageant to represent Lebanon, including four from Dearborn and one from Dearborn Heights. The remaining contestants came from states that included New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, and Pennsylvania as well as three from Texas.

Some of the attendees at the event included 1972 Lebanese Miss Universe winner Georgina Rizk, who flew in from Lebanon to be an honorable guest. Alongside Rizk was her husband and singer Walid Toufic, who entertained the crowd of more than 600 by performing during the pageant. Another Lebanese singer in attendance was Ayman Zbib who also performed a few songs during the evening.

Fadi Aboud, the Lebanese Minister of Tourism and Antoine Chedid, the Lebanese Ambassador to the United States, were also in attendance. Joumana Kayrouz who just recently became the President of the Lebanon Emigrant USA pageant said that she was so thankful for all the supporters and organizers who helped make the event a success. 2011 Miss Lebanon Emigrants USA winner Krystelle Khoury was also in attendance, ready to pass her crown on to the next winner. 

Pascal Abi-samra, center, is crowned by Miss Lebanon Emigrants USA 2011 Krystelle Khoury, left, and hostess Rola Khoury at Thursday’s pageant at Greenfield Manor. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab/TAAN

“I want all of these girls to stand proud and represent our beautiful country that is Lebanon,” Khoury said.

The pageant included three different rounds where the contestants competed in swimsuits, evening gowns and caftans (traditional Moroccan attire). 

The winner of the event, which concluded late Thursday evening, was Pascal Abi-samra of Texas. 

Abi-samra will move forward to the next step of the competition where she will compete with other young women from 35 countries on August 11, 2012 in Lebanon. The event will be held in the village of Dhour Shweir at Castle Assouf.