“SUE” SUJOING DRAKEFORD
Executive Director
Sue Drakeford is a graduate of Bellevue University, where she earned a Master in Business Administration in 2004, Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Minor in Marketing Management in 2001; in addition, she graduated from the Community College of the Air Force with an Associate in Applied Science in Services Management in 1999.
She served the country as an active duty member in the United States Air Force from 1995-1999 winning numerous awards such as “Airman of the Quarter”, “Airman of the of the 55th Support Group”, and “Airman of the Year” and was nominated as “Airman of the Air Force” along with the early promotion award “Senior Airman Below the Zone”, and notably the “Air Force Achievement Medal”. During that time she won Miss Teen Omaha in 1996.
Not a stranger to beauty pageants, Sue is Miss Nebraska USA 2001 and was the first African American to represent Nebraska at the annually televised Miss USA Pageant on the CBS television network.
In March of 2009, Sue won 2009/2010 Elegant Ms. Missouri (Missouri Dream Girls USA). Then competed from May 22-25, 2009 in the National Dream Girls Pageant at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri where she was crowned 2009/2010 Elegant Ms (Dream Girls USA) along with winning Best Talent, Best Smile and Photogenic.
Today, Sue is a Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer & Community Reinvestment Officer at Hillcrest Bank in Gladstone, Missouri. She has been in banking since 2001 and enjoys helping business owners meet their objectives.
Her community service includes serving as a board member for the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City and Blue Hills Community Services. She is a member of the Gladstone Chamber of Commerce and the KC Chapter of the National Black MBA.
ESTHER SUME ORTIZ
Director of Art/Contestant Coordinator (TEEN & Mrs. )
Esther Sume Ortiz is of Korean and Puerto Rican descent but was born and raised in Killeen, Texas. This is where her academic excellence started.
Throughout grade school she was in advanced classes called T.A.G (AP level system in TEXAS) and was constantly on the A-Honor Roll. She served as Co-Captain of the dance team, where she helped lead her team to many awards, and was voted Student Council President, where she has recruited sponsors for fund raisers and helped raise money for her school.
Her most achievable moment was in high school, when she graduated, a whole year before her class. Not only did she graduate early, but she was able to become valedictorian of that class. She currently continues her academic career to one day receiver her bachelor’s degree.
“CINDIE" CYNTHIA WATTS
Vice President, Assistant Director/Director of Judging
Cindie is a happily married mother of 7 children. She has lived all over the world while following her husband’s military career. Cindie’s accomplishments are as varied as the places she has lived.
She served as Mayor of Wackernheim, Germany and reported to General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. She as worked with special education students throughout her career, served in the Commercial Banking Field working directly with emerging companies in Omaha. In addition, she was awarded Film Industry Credits.
Cindie has shown her effectiveness many times as she tenaciously tracks down solutions to problems set before her. Cindie’s positive attitude and enthusiasm are as contagious as her bright smile.
JANA MURRELL
Vice President, Director of Operations/Quality Control/Mistress of Ceremonies
Jana earned a full academic scholarship to Creighton University in Omaha, NE, where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and Bachelors of Health Science degrees. She is currently employed as a traveling physical therapist working in a variety of practice settings across the country. This allows her to incorporate her love for traveling into her work. She is currently working in West Palm Beach, Florida.
While attending professional school, Jana worked as a traffic reporter on Omaha’s most watched morning newscast, KETV Channel 7. Though she enjoyed her time in the media, Jana stayed focused and continued to direct her efforts towards health and wellness. She is an aerobics and group fitness instructor, as well as a Power to End Stroke Advocate.
Although a fan of sports and outdoorsy types of activities, Jana has always had an interest in the fashion and modeling industries as well. She won the title of Miss Nebraska USA in 2005 and competed in the nationally televised Miss USA Pageant in Baltimore, Maryland. As Miss Nebraska USA, she devoted her year to influencing as many lives as possible through her extensive involvement in numerous charities, organizations, and events.
Jana is also the current Miss Earth USA and had the distinguished honor of representing her country at the internationally televised Miss Earth pageant in the Philippines where she was a semi-finalist. Eighty-five countries were represented at Miss Earth, and Jana had the unique experience of interacting with girls from all different cultures and backgrounds, making lasting friendships in the process.
It is Jana’s wish that God will shine His light through her in her endeavors to be a positive role model, and as she attempts to do her part in improving the world in which she lives.
KEVIN WADE
Vice President, Director of Production
A Motivator, an Encourager, and a Dreamer! Kevin J. Wade, with nature, is an individual with a purpose in life to help others bring out the best in themselves no matter the challenge! Kevin is a native of Enfield, North Carolina and recently moved from Elizabeth City, NC to Richmond, Virginia .
Kevin is a graduate Elizabeth City State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Public Administration. In 2005, Kevin obtained a Master of Public Administration from Troy University whereas he is currently seeking a second Masters in Human Resources Management and simultaneously pursuing his doctoral studies in Leadership in Higher Education.
Kevin currently works as the Director of Leadership Development at the oldest Historically Black College in the South, Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va. In addition, Kevin serves as the Advisor to Mr. and Miss Virginia Union University and Royal Court. Wade is no stranger to pageantry as he served as the first official Mr. Elizabeth City State University 2001-2002. With over 8 years of experience in pageantry, Kevin has coached, judged and consulted in various pageant systems including Miss Black & Gold, Miss Virginia State University , Miss CIAA, Mr. and Miss Elizabeth City State University . Kevin has also held positions on the national level and is the Founder & Director of his fraternity pageant, the Miss Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Scholarship Pageant which was founded in 2004 at Elizabeth City State University.
Aside from his full-time employment, Wade serves as the Production Manager for the Miss Essence & Mrs. Essence Pageant. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys reading, studying, laughing, networking and spending time with his family and friends. Kevin’s word of inspiration to pageant participants is…”True Kingdom and Queendom, lies not in the wearing of a crown, nor the waving of a scepter, but is exemplified in one’s daily character and persona.” –Cleantha Samuel
LAUREN E. PARKES
Vice President, Director of Contestant Relations/Alumna President/Contestant Coordinator ( Miss )
Lauren Elizabeth Parkes is originally from Baltimore, Maryland. She currently attends the University of Delaware where she majors in Fashion Merchandising. In Lauren’s sophomore year of high school she ventured into the world of pageantry. Since her entry into the pageantry arena, she has competed in such pageants as: Miss Maryland Teen USA 2004, Miss Maryland Teen Coed 2005(Fourth Runner Up), Miss Maryland USA 2007, Miss Black Delaware USA 2007 (Winner), Miss Black USA 2007, Miss Delaware USA 2008 (Top 16), Miss Baltimore Galaxy 2008(Winner), and Miss Maryland Galaxy 2008 (Winner). Lauren has won a variety of awards consisting of: Most Promising Model, Best Sportswear Model, Best Smile, placement in the semi-finals, and two-time Best Interview honors. In addition to pageantry, Lauren is the founder of two non- profit organizations: Project Wish List and Royal Dreams Mentoring and serves as a Goodwill Ambassador with full diplomatic status to The Republic of The Gambia, West Africa. Lauren has had the opportunity of producing and organizing many pageant and entertainment events.
Corporate Information
Drakeford Productions LLC was created in July 2007. The Miss/Teen Essence Pageant system signifies the “Essence” of Today’s Modern Woman, striving to be the most stylish, urban, trend setting pageant around.
Most pageants will not accept delegates if they have had a child, have been divorced, or are over the age of 27 (for Miss divisions). In the spirit of "Celebrating the Essence of Today's Modern Woman," we realize life may have taken you down some of these paths and others that do not allow one to participate in other pageants with some of these arguably outdated requirements. We believe that women who are in their 30's, that are mothers, or who have been married in the past have valuable insight to offer to the modern day women that they would be speaking to and interacting with during their reign. Women with or without these experiences are equally qualified to be role models to today's women, offering valuable insight and advice from personal experience or otherwise. We want to be open to ALL women, allowing ALL women the opportunity to compete for the experience of a lifetime!!
Our goal is INCLUSION for women from all walks of life. We are open to women of all ethnic backgrounds, races, sizes, and encourage women to show off their natural curves and healthy body images. One does NOT have to be a size 0 to score well in our swimsuit competition! (although if you are and that is appropriate for you body type, that's ok too!) We want to promote a healthy body image for each delegates' respective frame, height, build and overall makeup. There is no ideal image; all women possess their own unique beauty, and that uniqueness is what the Essence Pageant System wants to highlight and showcase to the public.
Miss Teen Essence, Miss Essence and Mrs. Essence Pageant® is a registered trademark of Drakeford Productions, LLC No. 77711278
We are in no way affiliated with Essence Communications Inc.
