Cy is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in advertising & public relations and a minor in communications.

His pageant experience covers 24 years as a pageant and fashion show director, producer, emcee, judge, pageant wear consultant, and photographer. The past twelve years he has worked as an individual pageant instructor for Gowns & Crowns, LLC... a pageant preparation service he owns and operates in Columbia, South Carolina.

Currently he is employed by Clear Channel Broadcasting. He has been a radio promotions director for 17 years. In addition to promotions, he serves as Mr. Blacklist, the movie critic and fashion reviewer, for the award winning morning show, the Morning Rush on 104.7 WNOK. Cy  received the South Carolina Broadcasters Star Award (2004 and 2005) for best commercial talent in a large market commercial.

Cy is active in the community serving on many charitable organizations such as the Festival of Trees to Benefit the Children's Hospital (Festival Chair/3 years); a board member for the Children's Hospital of Palmetto Health (Richland); The Animal Mission Board under the direction of Sony from Hootie and the Blowfish; and a Columbia City Ballet Board Member under the Artistic Direction of world famous dancer and choreographer, William Starrett. He and his organization, Clear Channel, are the recipients of the Mayor's Corporate Citizen of the Year for 1999. Cy is recipient of the Key to the City of Columbia by the honorable Mayor Bob Coble in recognition of his charity work, voted a 2002 Hero for Children by Governor Jim Hodges. Cy has been inducted into the Lugoff-Elgin High School Hall of Fame for his continued commitment to his alma mater.

Aside from helping young women achieve their best through pageant instruction, highlights of his career include: working with the stars of the daytime drama, Days of Our Lives, during numerous South Carolina appearances; co-authoring the book, It's a Soap Opera Life; starring in a variety show with film and television star Morgan Fairchild to benefit Aids research; and directing Kimberly Aiken's (Miss America 1993) celebrity wedding of the year in 1998 and baby shower in 2001.
Amanda Helen Pennekamp is a graduate of Newberry College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Speech Communications, and has a scholarship in her name, the Amanda Helen Pennekamp Performing Arts Scholarship.

Amanda was Miss South Carolina USA 2004 and went on to become First Runner-Up in Miss USA 2004. She was crowned Miss Earth United States 2006 and was a Top 16 overall finalist, as well as the Top 15 in the swimsuit competition, among 82 countries! She has also held the titles of Miss Sun Fun, Miss Newberry College, Miss Lake Murray, and was crowned Homecoming Queen at Newberry College.

A professional Model and Actress, Amanda has also modelled since the age of 14 with the Millie Lewis Model and Talent Agency of Columbia, South Carolina where she appeared in Seventeen Magazine, Young Miss, and Cosmopolitan.

Amanda spent 3 years in New York City with Wilhelmina Models, Wilhelmina Creative divisions, as well as Funny Face Model Management where she booked numerous commercials including Bioforce Fitness Equipment, The Zone Diet, The Driving Force, and WWE. She has also appeared on billboards in New York City for ALLURE Magazine, and has appeared in print editorials for Cosmopolitan Magazine, SuperModels Unlimited, Aquafina, La Perla, and GE . Amanda also had an appearance on One Life To Live, The Dr. Keith Ablow Show, films such as Juwanna Mann and Music and Lyrics!

Amanda is currently a V Babe named "Ava Vavoom" for the Vegas Entertainment Network in which she hosts her own internet show, "The V Fixxx", which is all about Las Vegas and airs on www.thev.tv. Amanda travels to Vegas often and has interviewed celebrities on the red carpet such as James Denton, Tony Parker, Carrot Top, Mark Martin and Carl Edwards (she is a HUGE NASCAR fan!), and Michael Clark Duncan to name a few.

While travelling between Vegas and a satellite studio in Charlotte Amanda is beyond thrilled to be at Gowns and Crowns to assist in helping pageant competitors to achieve a hot and fun swimsuit walk and pose, mock interviews, and providing tips in make-up applications!


Crystal A. Garrett (Vocal Coach for Gowns and Crowns) is a senior at the University of South Carolina’s School of Music where she is a voice major and a theater minor. Ms. Garrett has served as Miss Charleston 2007 and Miss South Carolina 2007. In July 2007, not only capturing the crown, Crystal was also blessed to win the Miss South Carolina overall talent award. In January 2008, Crystal placed in the top 15 in the Miss America Live 2008 competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was seen for the entire month of January in 2008, on the Miss America Reality Check reality show on TLC!

Crystal was the 2006 Columbia, South Carolina Palmetto Idol, which allowed her to audition for American Idol producers in Memphis, Tennessee. She sang the nationwide jingle for Harris Teeter grocery store in 2004. She also appeared in a Food Lion commercial and was an extra in the Asylum movie in 2006. Crystal has been in print editorials in SuperModels Unlimited and Four Points Magazine.

Crystal has recently joined thev.tv team as “Crystal…..just Crystal” appearing on Ava Vavoom’s show, the Vfixx. In December 2008, she will perform as a principle singer in the off Broadway, Brad and Jennifer Moranz Christmas show in Charleston, South Carolina. Crystal will also appear as a principle singer in their Valentine’s Day show in February of 2009 as well! Crystal looks forward to many more vocal opportunities in the near future!

Crystal was diagnosed with allergy induced asthma at the age of three. Her childhood doctors told her that she would never be able to sing or participate in sports because of her low lung capacity. Some of Crystal’s doctors did not even expect her to live long enough to turn twenty one years old. But through voice lessons, cardiovascular activities, and taking all medications as directed by her doctors, she has achieved the unexpected. Crystal has built her lung capacity to a higher level, strengthened her vocal abilities and was fortunate to turn twenty-one years old on June 12th of 2007! She has also played sports her entire life and now sings on a daily basis!

Sharing her personal experiences of how she has become a champion of asthma has enabled her to give the gift of hope and song to many. Crystal has been an example of how everyone is more than capable of turning dreams into realities. Her disease has truly proved to be a blessing in disguise! Crystal feels so blessed to continue to empower others to implement dedication and preparation characteristics to their everyday lives through music as the new Gowns and Crowns voice instructor!


Tammy Johns Are you looking for expert Dance Instruction to help you showcase your talent in the next competition? Let me help you bring out your best with provide personalized competition assistance.

Tammy Johns is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. She freelances to provide marketing assistance for local and statewide companies. Tammy is also the owner and director of Dance Station Incorporated featuring the national award-winning dance team, Carolina FreeStyle, in Chapin, South Carolina. Her team has performed all over. They are regular performers at the South Carolina State Fair, Newberry Opera House, Country Tonite Theater in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Walt Disney World in Florida, and New York City where they have performed on the National NBC television program the Today Show. Tammy and her studio are referenced in Debbie Roberts’ book on How to Run a Successful Dance Studio. Tammy has been seen on several television commercials for hospitals, heath care, car dealerships, public service announcements, and more. She also has co-hosted radio and television programs. Tammy has also adorned the pages of local newspapers and magazines and has modeling in fashion shows and charity events. Mrs. Johns also directs, choreographs, emcees, and performs for many types of events all over the United States.

Tammy serves as Chair on the Board of Directors and works with WIS Television to produce the Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade in Columbia. Along with performing with her studio in local nursing homes several times a year, Mrs. Johns is also involved with the American Cancer Society to help support and raise money for the organization. She also has a project that sends food to the Manna House and Harvest Hope Food Bank several times a year. Recently, she is working with the South Carolina Arts Commission to help get the youth of Newberry County involved and active in the arts.

Tammy Johns has held numerous local, state and national pageant titles. She is married to Mr. Paul Brown.


Kyle Taylor Kirchman (Booking Agent). Kyle will be happy to assist you in booking your classes for your next competition. You can reach Kyle our Gowns and Crowns Booking Agent at 803-254-1220.

Kyle originally from Georgia is a student at the University of South Carolina pursuing a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Kyle assists in all aspects of pageant preparation, specializing in costume and dress design.

He is active in may charities such as the Fur Ball to Benefit Project Pet, Dinning with Friends, and the Festival of Trees.