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28/09/2022
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Don Maines Correspondent Sep. 28, 2022 5 p.m.
Lauren Lanning makes her way down the walkway after being crowned Miss Texas USA in Laredo in 2005. She is one of four women representing Friendswood who have won the state title. RICARDO SEGOVIA/AP
Representing Friendswood last summer, R’Bonney Gabriel was the first Filipina American to win Miss Texas USA and will represent the Lone Star State at Miss USA on Oct. 3. But she is not the first woman from Friendswood to win the Texas title.
Three residents of that community preceded her in winning the state crown between 2003 and 2012.
Each took noticeably different paths.
As Miss Texas USA, Brittany Booker attends a gala of the Houston Symphony Society and the Houston Symphony League in 2011. Shown with her is Jon Hood. Gary Fountain/For the Chronicle
Nicole O'Brian of Friendswood won Miss Texas USA in 2003. MIss Texas USA pageant
In 2003, Nicole O’Brian won Miss Texas USA after her pageant journey began when she stepped into Jill’s Bridals and Fashions in League City and was invited to compete in Miss Teen Bay Area USA.
“I was looking for a homecoming dress,” said O’Brian, the daughter of Dan and Denise O’Brian of Friendswood.
In 1999, Nicole O’Brian placed third out of five contestants at Miss Teen Bay Area USA, but then she competed at-large as Miss Teen Galveston USA at the state pageant, where she placed fourth out of 150 contestants.
The next year, O’Brian won both Miss Teen Bay Area USA and Miss Teen Texas USA and was first runner-up at Miss Teen USA.
Next, she competed for the Miss title in 2002. She didn’t make the Top 15 but returned the next year as Miss Bay Area and won Miss Photogenic and Miss Texas USA.
The national pageant was held in San Antonio, where O’Brian won the swimsuit competition and placed as second runner-up.
“I did everything quickly,” she said.
Pasadena Rodeo Pageant was launching pad
In contrast, Lauren Lanning competed four times before winning the title of Miss Texas USA 2006.
She and younger sister Taylor didn’t want to enter their first competition, the Pasadena Rodeo Pageant at the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo, but did so because their mother’s employer wanted to sponsor them.
Once the daughters of Rod and Dianne Lanning won their age groups at that pageant, their family was hooked.
“We got caught up in it,” said Dianne Lanning. “It was totally by accident. It became so much fun, like finding the perfect dress. It was our family sport.”
In 2005, Taylor won Miss Teen Bay Area on the same night that Lauren won Miss Bay Area, then placed as second runner-up at Miss Texas USA.
“They were called ‘the sister act,’” said their mother.
Lauren Lanning competed four times before winning the title of Miss Texas USA. Miss Texas USA
In 2006, Taylor won Miss Teen USA and Lauren won Miss Houston USA at the biggest preliminary in the country in regard to its number of contestants.
“What can top that?” said their mother. “What a ride we had that night. Taylor won first. When Lauren won, we were just stunned.”
At Miss USA, which was owned at the time by former President Donald Trump, Lauren placed in the Top 10.
In 2001, Taylor won Miss Houston USA and was featured on a magazine cover as one of the 10 most beautiful people in Houston.
“I met so many amazing people from our city,” said Taylor, now Taylor Lanning Minter. “I was passionate about anti-bullying and childhood obesity that had no become big issues yet.”
Râ Bonney Gabriel, who represented Friendswood when she won Miss Texas USA, is set to compete in the finals of Miss USA on Oct. 3.
Miss Texas USA pageant
Something in the water?
Asked why so many Miss Texas USAs have come from Friendswood, Minter said, “I don’t know if it is something in the water so much as something in the community.
"Friendswood is such a special place. Wonderful schools are the draw for most, but this small town is not only beautiful — it truly represents its name so well as being a truly friendly close-knit community. It is no surprise to me that there are many beauty queens from Friendswood but there are so, so many other success stories that come from Friendswood."
She mentioned current and former astronauts and professional athletes who live in the town.
"I graduated from Friendswood High School in 2006, I married my high school sweetheart, and we still live in Friendswood with our four boys, three dogs and a cat,” Minter said.
In 2012, Brittany Booker of Friendswood won Miss Texas USA on her very first try.
At age 20, she placed in the Top 10 at Miss USA.
Back home, the 2009 graduate of Bay Area Christian School volunteered at Hope Village, where, she said, "I have a special buddy. His name is Bill. He's a Down syndrome boy and he doesn't have a family; so he's kind of like my little adopted brother.”
In a video that Booker filmed for the "Road to the Crown" segment that introduced contestants at missusa.com, she explained her interest in Hope Village. Before her birth, a test indicated that she might have Down syndrome, she said.
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