The District Sends Stephanie Williams Off In Style To The 2011 Miss America Pageant!

NORTHWEST -- With the 2011 Miss America Pageant only a few days away, all 53 contestants will gradually make their way to the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas this week for the preliminary schedule of events leading into the final night of competition, which will be broadcast live on Saturday, January 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

And the Miss District of Columbia Organization was determined to celebrate Miss DC 2010 Stephanie Williams' departure in its signature familial style, with a festive send-off party on Wednesday night for friends, family, and close supporters.

Held inside the Marlatt Mansion at the heart of The Institute of World Politics campus downtown, last night's party was a decidedly intimate affair. Prior Miss DC winners Jen Corey (2009), Kate Marie Grinold (2008), and Kate Michael (2006) were all in attendance, as was Miss DC 1997 Sonya Gavankar who served as the occasion's de facto mistress of ceremonies. Stephanie's sister, parents, and boyfriend, Chris Dekom, were also, of course, present to show their support.

The evening began with the presentation of a special "crown ring" -- designed especially for Miss DC 2010 -- to both Stephanie and Jen by David Boone of Boone & Sons Jewelers.

Guests were then treated to an early preview of the wardrobe Stephanie will be modeling during both the preliminary and final rounds of the Miss America competition next week. A third year medical student at The George Washington University Medical Center, she sought-out a more avant-garde look this year in order to show America that "smart, chic, and trendy can also be classic."

Her outfits will include a Zuhair Murad dress recently worn by Selena Gomez at the 2010 Justin Timberlake and Friends Concert, shoes by Giuseppe Zanottin and Christian Laboutin, an Aquilano.Rimondi dress identical to one worn by Jennifer Hudson on Good Morning America, and an evening gown fashioned by local bridal gown designer Elizabeth St. John.

In between wardrobe changes, attendees enjoyed performances by other members of the Miss DC organization, including Outstanding Teen 2010 Julia Braxton and Miss DC 2009 Jen Corey:

Miss DC 2009 Jen Corey performed Kristin Chenoweth's "Taylor, the Latte Boy" at the send-off party.
Other notables in the audience on Wednesday night included Senator Paul Strauss, the District's non-voting representative to the United States Senate, and Ambassador Lisa Gable.

It's said that victory is sweet, and since it's a given that Stephanie will take the crown at this year's Miss America Pageant, it's quite fitting that Cupcakes Actually provided complimentary cupcakes to all of the party's guests. The Fairfax-based cupcakery even designed a surprise, custom-made red velvet treat (complete with crown on top) for Stephanie, as her immediate post-competition reward.

Good luck in Las Vegas Stephanie! The District couldn't be better represented this year...

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To vote for Stephanie in the "America's Choice" portion of the 2011 Miss America Pageant, please text "MADC" to #24470, cast your vote on MissAmerica.org, "like" her on Facebook, AND "like" her on YouTube.

You can vote once on all four platforms and ALL four of your votes will count.