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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> Miami Area INDIVIDUALS and GROUPS Historical Photos Gallery - All Years - click on image to view > 1966 - Sylvia Hitchcock (center), future Miss USA 1967 and Miss Universe 1967, with tennis team at MDJC North Campus
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8-FEB-1966 Florida State Archives

1966 - Sylvia Hitchcock (center), future Miss USA 1967 and Miss Universe 1967, with tennis team at MDJC North Campus

Miami-Dade Junior College North Campus, Dade County, Florida


The state archives description: "Sylvia Hitchcock (center) is an alumna of Miami Palmetto High School, she later became Miss Alabama 1967, Miss USA 1967 and Miss Universe 1967."


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Pat29-Mar-2017 11:22
What a beautiful tennis ladies team. V
Chuck Leverich 01-Feb-2011 18:53
Pat O'hara where are you now?
Don Boyd10-Nov-2010 07:30
That's a great story, Ronny, and I thank you for sharing it with us. You must have been the envy of the base for lucking out like that thanks to your buddy, her brother.

Don
Ronny McMackins 09-Nov-2010 21:54
In 1967 I was in the Air Force stationed at Naha Air Base on the island of Okinawa. I arrived on the island in late 1966 and I had a Sponsor/Trainer named Ralph Hitchcock. I was fresh out of Tech School off a cotton farm in West Tennessee. Ralph’s training and influence was very instrumental in the way I have lived my life since. While Sylvia was winning Miss Alabama and Miss USA, Ralph and I was working night shifts on C-130’s. Ralph got notified one day that he was going back to the states where Sylvia was or was going to be, Miss Universe and to be with her. I was very envious but proud for him at the time. Later on that year (1967) I was asleep one morning after working night shift and our unit NCO came to my room and awaken me. I was informed to get dressed in my Dress Blues and report ASAP. He did not tell me what I was getting dressed for but when I arrived I found out I was going to be an escort for Miss Universe, Sylvia Hitchcock. Ralph had told Sylvia about me and I very proud to be part of her escort around Naha Air Base.
Jan Trevett Fernandez- 12-Jul-2010 23:59
I ran into Sylvia and her mother in Tampa several years ago and she was as pretty as ever. I had to confess to her mother that we had soaped the windows of the school bus she drove one Halloween. I lived on 141st Street and walked by her house often.
Betty 20-May-2010 15:05
I remember Sylvia at the University of Alabama. We both were art students and she seemed sweet and nice but unremarkable. She wore sloppy tee shirts and jeans like everybody and had acne. When she went to the Miss Universe contest, a group of us gathered around a tv and shouted for her. I had no idea she was beautiful in that way. She fit right in with the other students while at school but on that tv. We were all so proud of her!
Ron 04-Mar-2010 21:30
Sylvia went to Palmetto as I did. A sweet girl I date a few times.
Tim 08-Oct-2008 23:04
I remember Sylvia very well, beautiful kind and caring. I lived on the next block and she was our "baby sitter" many times, a heavy crush for a young man. Ralph would regularly give me a ride to school, remember many times going shopping at her fathers hardware store, AL' s newstand, , 7- 11 across the street, and of course watching Mr Haast milk the cobras at the Serpentarium on sundays.
LuAnn Bolsinger 02-Sep-2008 00:52
I just received a 1967 Oldsmobil Delta 88 convertible and was told Miss USA 1967 had been given this car so I was trying to get information on this to see if was fact or fiction A letter was sent to the Olds company and they said it was possible but didnt know the vin # for the car she was given only 2400 of these cars were made that year and it was a real possibility this was it if anyone has info on this it would be appreciated THANKS LuAnn
Norman Boyd 25-Feb-2008 19:28
Wow! The memories! Sylvia's mom drove the school bus. Her older sister, Peggy, was a beauty also and her brother was just as good looking. (Ralph maybe) I remember Sylvia mostly from her days playing softball in a Miami City league. I was a de facto assistant coach for the team, which was based at the Bay Glades Youth Center, S. Dixie Highway and SW 128th Street. I believe it is now a county part called Sunniland Park, but back then it was a privately developed and maintained neighborhood project. I can tell a thousand stories about that park, but first about Sylvia. She was an infielder on the 16 and under team and the 18 and under team - which was the same team, but they competed in both leagues. We had no player over 15. Hope somebody recognizes some of these names. Rosie Cohen pitched, Pam Haislip was one of our catchers and also played some first. Ginny Slaughter was the regular first base, Pat Yates, Sylvia, Susan Duckworth and Connie Boyd made up the middle infield in various combinations, with strongarmed Wendy Billington at third. Sharon Frost, like Pam Haislip, was an all around player, great at any position. Laura Murphy was in right field and was one of the fastest flat out runners I have ever seen. Ginny Slaughter was fast also. Patty Baker was on the team, too - not a great athlete, but a real sweet girl. Connie Boyd is my sister and I married Ginny Slaughter. Pat Yates was Ginny's best friend and the sister of my best friend. Laura's dad, Ray, owned the motel next to the Serpentarium which was across the street from the park. Silvia did in fact live at the corner of Howard Drive and Palmetto. 77th Ave and 136th St.
Christi Hitchcock Plaisance 15-Feb-2008 03:29
I saw her about a year ago at my wedding with my grandfather (one of her brothers) and other siblings. She is still as beautiful as her pictures from years ago. My grandpa still has a frame of her winning the Ms. Universe pageant up in his house, and I cannot get over how beautiful she was, and still is!
Rob 05-Feb-2008 20:51
I attended Howard Drive Elementary in 1966-67 for 6th grade and remember the buzz about Silvia. her family lived on the southeast corner of SW 136th Street and 77th Avenue. I saw her brother Ralph not long ago at a rum tasting party.
Bob Flanders 30-Jan-2008 03:33
Sylvia Hitchcock is my second cousin - and since I was attending Miami-Dade Jr. College at the time I got to "represent" my part of the family and attend her wedding reception. Uncle Dan, her father, was so very proud of her and the fact that there were two congressmen and two or three mayors in attendance. I don't blame him, it was a spectacular event. Bob Flanders - Miami
Richie C 23-Jan-2008 17:14
My mistake, I meant the 2nd from the left in my previous comment!
Richie C 23-Jan-2008 17:12
Even though most of the comments are concerning Sylvia, I believe I recognize a young extremely talented lady (2nd from the right) If I am not mistaking I believe she is Arlene Kraczyk from Hialeah High. Is there anyone who can confirm my thoughts.
Guest 16-Jan-2008 17:37
Wooden raquets!!!!!
Pat O'Hara McKinney 15-Jan-2008 15:03
My dad, Bob O'Hara was friends with Sylvia's dad and often shopped at his hardware store. We attended Sylvia's wedding and reception. We were thrilled when she won Miss USA and Miss Universe.
I love this site. I was born and raised in Miami on SW 38th Ave, just off Bird Road, went to Dade Demonstration Elem., Ponce Jr High, and Coral Gables High, class of 1972.
John 13-Jan-2008 01:29
I went to Howard Dr. Elem. and knew her younger brother, Danny I think. 136th and 77th Ave, on the south side of 136th. I remember the Yellow "Donzi" speedboat she won after the pageant. Peanuts Crenshaw, lived across from them. Interesting comment on the hardware store cause I remember going there....maybe for BBs. Anyone remember Al's newstand??
Joanne 14-Dec-2007 15:31
In the mid to late 60's. She used to babysit my best friend who lived across the street. This was when she was in high school. After she won Miss Universe her house was decorated to welcome her home.
miamigrl18-Nov-2007 23:10
Joanne, I don't know when Sylvia lived across the street from Howard Dr. Elem. but when we were in 3rd grade together at Perrine Elem (1954-55) she lived on Old Cutler Rd in a house that later was in front of my church, St. Timothy Lutheran built in about 1960. Her mother drove the school bus in those days.
Joanne 09-Aug-2007 18:24
Sylvia's family attended our church (Kendall Methodist) and she lived across the street from Howard Drive Elem.
Jim Hays 18-Jul-2007 17:50
I believe her dad owned the original Palmetto Hardware just so. of Sunset drive on red road. Best hdw. in town, He also sold bb's and ammo to us kids. We used to huntat the end of sunset dr. (then117 ave) south to Kendall dr. Nothing there then 'cept deer and rabbits, and some for-out rockpits. Best, Jim Hays