The Miss Italia USA event will take place in Chicago on July 13, while the 
Miss Italia Nel Mondo Pageant will be in Salsomaggiore, Italy, August 19-31.

Now how many of you know where Salsomaggiore is??? Answer below!!!  
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Press Release

MISS ITALIA USA

ITALIAN  AMERICAN BEAUTIES BRING THEIR CULTURE TO CHICAGO

The organizers of Miss Italia USA are looking for a repeat of last year's 
triumph, in which pageant winner Valentina Patruno of Miami, Florida went on 
to be crowned Miss Italia Nel Mondo.  Patruno became the first American to be 
crowned Miss Italia Nel Mondo.  Can a representative from the U.S. keep the 
crown?

As in years past, the road to Salsomaggiore leads through Chicago, where the 
Miss Italia USA contest will be held on July 13 at the Hilton Chicago and 
Towers.  An East Coast pageant has already been held in Pennsylvania, with 
six contestants moving on to the finals in Chicago, and applications have 
been coming in from around the country.

"The contest is more exciting this year because we were able to produce the 
international winner last year," says Rene Caputo, chairperson of the Miss 
Italian USA pageant along with her husband, Pasquale.  "We're expecting at 
least 24 contestants in this year's pageant.  To be eligible, contestants 
must be between 17 and 25 years of age, single, 5 ft. 6 inches tall, and have 
Italian ancestry from at least one grandparent.  Contestants don't have to 
speak fluent Italian, but some knowledge and understanding of the language is 
recommended.  The winner of the American competition will compete in Italy 
against the winners of similar pageants around the world.  There will be more 
than 40 countries represented in this year's Miss Italia Nel Mondo Pageant.  

The winner of the Miss Italian USA pageant will receive a monetary prize of 
$2,500 and an all expense paid trip to Italy from August 19 to 31st to 
compete in the Miss Italia Nel Mondo pageant.  The responsibilities of Miss 
Italia USA include making guest appearances and speaking engagements at 
special events throughout the country and maintaining the honor bestowed upon 
her.  The main sponsor of the Miss Italia USA contest is Wiscon Corp., 
manufacturer of Caputo Brand Products.

The winner of the Miss Italia Nel Mondo contest will receive $10,000 in cash, 
a complete Berloni kitchen and jewelry from Miluna Jewelers of Italy, the 
manufacturer of the pageant's crown.  The international champion also 
receives a one-year modeling contract with Sasch, the company that sponsors 
Miss Italia Nel Mondo. Sasch provides clothing for the contestants in the 
pageant, as well as a complete wardrobe to whomever walks away with the 
crown.  Last year's queen, Patruno will be at both the Miss Italia USA and 
the Miss Italia Nel Mondo to relinquish her crowns to the 2002 winner.

"There were girls from China, South Africa, Columbia, Malta and some places I 
had never heard of before," she says.  "Though we came from different parts 
of the world and we spoke different languages, we shared common ancestry, and 
we all felt like we were related."

Contestants are being sought through publications and community organizations 
in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Las Vegas, 
Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin.  The 
deadline for applications is June 21st.  For more information, to receive an 
application, or for tickets to the event, call Rene Caputo at 847-604-844, 
847-615-8085

Miss Italian USA 2002
Rene Caputo, Chairperson
Pasquale Caputo, Co-Chairperson
777 Bank Lane
Lake Forest, IL 60045

Office fax:  847-604-8445
Home tel: 847-615-8085
Home fax: 847-615-9685
Cell tel: 847-917-3178
Wisconrene@aol.com
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Salsomaggiore is 15 miles North West of Parma, in the midst of Renaissance 
Italy. 

The site of natural therapeutic thermal springs led to its founding as a city 
dedicated to Health and Beauty.

http://www.salsomaggiore.it/