Is Miss New York Really That Close?

                                                                 
     Here we are, the class of 2014! I am so honored to be a part of this amazing group of young women. With just over a month before the next Miss New York is crowned, I can't help being super excited. I find myself daydreaming about the pageant constantly, fortunately I can still focus in school. (Speaking of which, my 4.0 stands strong)
                                                                   

                       This was my first final of the year. If had I been just a little more cautious

                             with my final look at it, I wouldn't have left an answer blank.

     I had a really nice time at the workshop held in Staten Island a few weeks ago. I had already met most of the contestants, but I finally got to meet everyone and spend a little time with them. These girls are so great! Not only are they beautiful and talented, but they're all extremely intelligent and passionate. It's so inspiring to be surrounded by women who know what they want and are not afraid to go for it. I drove to the city the night before with my mom to avoid any issues in transportation the next morning.(Again, she's the best!) The day was spent going over pageant week schedule, wardrobe requirements, and walking patterns. Deb Cantoni, the new state ED, and her family were incredibly welcoming and accommodating. I'm really looking forward to working with them during pageant week. Overall it was a tiring trip, but I had a really good time with the girls and I can't wait to see them again. 

                                                                      

                                                   With Adrienne Wilson, Miss Syracuse!

                                    My mom made the long trip to Staten Island so much better!

        For the second year, the Irish step dancing nurses unite! Caitlin is the best. Period.

       Just a few days before I left for workshop my talent costume came in the mail and I love it! I always get a little nervous ordering costumes or gowns online, but I couldn't be happier with it. It is now in the very talented hands of my mother who will bling it into brilliance. 

With everything falling into place and the days passing by so quickly, I almost can't believe that it's almost time to pack my garment bags and head back to the city. Naturally I'm a little nervous, but with the incredible support of my family (and that includes my pageant family) I know that this is going to be my best year yet. I can't wait to show everyone just how hard I have been working. I have come so far over the past few years, and I feel like it's really paying off.

Sportsmanship

          As most of you know, I've been doing the pageant thing for a long time. I mean, a REALLY long time. The experiences that I've had range from positively life-changing to absolutely awful. I guess that I have always just accepted that bad experiences come with participation in a competitive field. I wonder though, does it have to?

           When I compare my good and bad experiences, the constant factor that jumps out at me is sportsmanship or the lack thereof. And I can simplify it even more than that – BEING NICE OR NOT BEING NICE. Believe it or not it really is just that simple.

The worst experiences that I have had throughout my years competing in pageants always seem to boil down to a lack of sportsmanship and kindness. They have had nothing to do with the outcome of the pageant. I have had incredible experiences at pageants that I didn't even place at, let alone win. And on the contrary, I have left a local with the title that I sought, feeling sad because of the negative environment backstage.

          It's so easy to get caught up in the “competition”.  Each and every contestant works incredibly hard in preparation for a local and the reality is that there's only one title.  (I know there are a few multiple title pageants but there is still only one title.)  So yes, it is frustrating to feel like your hard work didn’t pay off. If the only gage of success you choose to use is whether or not you win the title, then you have placed a lot of pressure on yourself and you will walk away frustrated and angry. I have learned over the years that if you really open yourself up to the entire experience of pageantry, there is so much more to be gained than just the title.

          When I competed in Miss New York 2012 I didn't make the Top 10. I didn't win any non-finalist awards. A lot of people would say that I walked away empty-handed, but that couldn't be less true. That week at Miss New York was incredible. I met some amazing girls, including the young woman that was to ultimately become Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri. My roommate that year, Caitlin, was awesome and we supported each other 100%. I may not have won any official awards, but I had my Miss New York moment that year. 

                                                 (My awesome roommate, Caitlin, and I)

                                           (Misty and I, posing for an awkward prom photo)

                                   (Jessica, Caitlin, and myself after Thursday night prelims)

                                                (The Miss New York class of 2012)

                                 (My Miss New York moment)

          

           It is so important for contestants to reach further than the crown and find something more to strive for during competition. Of course the title is important. If it wasn't there wouldn't be anyone competing. But there is so much more and you are missing out on a lot if your only goal is to win the crown. The connections that can be made are truly one-of-a-kind. I've learned that no one can support me in the same way that another contestant can, someone who is experiencing the same things that I am experiencing. And if you're only there to get a crown, then the odds are really stacked against you. ONE girl will go home with a title. But ALL of the girls can go home with new friends and a positive experience that builds their confidence and broadens their horizons.

          As I'm preparing for my fourth trip to Miss New York, my plan is very simple. I am going to: ignore the negative; embrace the positive; encourage EVERYONE and not let ANYONE put me down. I will stay true to myself and have fun with my friends, both old and new. I am ready for everything that this experience has to offer me, whether or not it sparkles and shines.

A Look at What's Coming Up

     Happy 2014! Just one week into the new year and it’s already shaping up to be amazing. I have a really good feeling about this year, and with so much going on I’m super excited to see the way that things unfold.

     I’m pleased to report that school is going extremely well. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA since the beginning of school, and I am in the top of my class. We have been in the clinical setting for 6 weeks and it’s going really well. I’m learning a lot, and I greatly enjoy working with the residents  

     This month is jam-packed with locals, and I can’t wait! As much as I love being on the stage, it’s really fun to be in the audience and support all of the contestants without the stress of competing. I must admit that my heart still races a bit as the winners are being announced. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend the Miss Flower City pageant this past weekend in Rochester. But I am incredibly excited to announce that Anneliese Trust, my 1^st runner-up at Miss Central New York, was crowned Miss Flower City 2014! I’ve had the pleasure of competing with Anneliese twice, and I’m very proud of her.

     This Saturday I will travel to the Nasser Civic Center in Corning for the Miss Finger Lakes/ Miss Upstate Pageant. It’s a long drive, about 4 hours, but I’m really excited to go as I have a lot of friends competing for these two titles.  Although I have been in this facility before it was never for the pageant. I am looking forward to see who joins Anneliese, Olivia, Jamie, Stephanie and I in the Miss New York Class of 2014.

The next two weekends will find me in attendance at Miss Fulton County and Miss Mohawk Valley. Both of these locals occupy a special place in my heart. I had the pleasure to represent both Fulton County in 2009 and the Mohawk Valley in 2012. Miss Fulton County will be at the Gloversville High School in Gloversville on January 18^th. Miss Mohawk Valley will be held at the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School in Verona on January 25^th. Please check out their websites for details about their upcoming pageants. www.missmohawkvalley.com and  www.missfultoncountyny.org

     I really encourage everyone to come out and support the local pageants and the young women competing in them. These pageants provide such an amazing opportunity, and they are completely volunteer-run. Your support of the locals provides scholarships to many deserving young woman throughout New York State.  This is a program that truly changes lives of the competitors and those who benefit from their work with their personnel platforms. Check out the Miss New York website at: www.missny.org for information on additional upcoming locals. Who knows, you may witness the local crowning of the next Miss America.  A “three-peat” would be great!!