A Very Special Prom Night

Today, I joined forces with Miss Westchester 2014, Mayra Avila, and Miss New Jersey USA 2014, Emily Shah, to help some lovely young ladies at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore prepare for their special prom night.

Each year, the Children's Hospital at Montefiore hosts a prom for their patients between the ages of 12-21. Some of the teens who attend are currently inpatients at the hospital, while others come in for treatment while living at home. Some of the teens are past patients who recently finished receiving care. What they all had in common was an incredibly positive outlook, in spite of the challenges life has thrown their way.

Mayra, Emily, and I spent the afternoon admiring the girl's gown choices, painting nails, and serving as makeup artists. Mayra was a whiz on the manicure front, and created a glowing makeup look that multiple girls requested! Emily could win a 'Makeup Survivor' competition, creating an incredible smoky eye with one eyeshadow pallete and medical q-tips! I did my best to create makeup looks that lived up to the dreams of the young girls attending prom. I was told that I did a pretty good job!

You may be wondering why I'm not posting tons of pictures of the lovely young women we interacted with today. Because of HIPPA regulations, we weren't able to take any pictures with our phones or cameras. However, the girls attending prom could take as many pictures with us as they wanted with their phones! We posed for a lot of fun shots, and even did some photo bombing in the prom photo booth!

The prom itself was magnificent--they had transformed the hall where I had my employee orientation into a carnival, complete with acrobats, unicycles, cotton candy, body art, and so much more! I had such a wonderful time supporting Montefiore as an employee and titleholder. Here are a few more fun shots from the afternoon!

I met a sweet young girl, Isabel, who wasn't old enough for prom but was watching us prepare the other girls from the hallway. We all went out to spend some time with her, and a few minutes later she returned and brought me some of her flowers. She was such a sweetheart and I'm so happy that she is preparing to go HOME on Monday!

With the beautiful Miss Westchester 2014, Mayra! I'm so glad to be part of the Westchester sisterhood with this beauty. She is so caring and passionate about giving back to the community. 

Some of the acrobats--and I didn't even catch a picture of their more incredible balances!

My lovely Mama with some of the decorations! She almost always accompanies me to my events and I am so thankful for her support! Today, she was also a huge help to the girls preparing for prom, encouraging them and also serving as a makeup artist. 

March for Babies

My platform may be empowering teens to say "Later Hater!" to dating violence, but I have always enjoyed giving back to multiple organizations that dedicate their time and efforts to addressing other community issues. That's the great thing about volunteerism and advocacy: there's no rule saying that you can only support one cause at a time! One particular cause that is especially dear to me is preventing preterm birth.

Since high school, I knew I wanted to be involved in the world of healthcare as I established my career path. While my vision of just how I would be involved changed, one thing never did: my desire to work with pregnant women and newborns. One of the most valuable internships I was fortunate enough to complete was with the March of Dimes National Office. The March of Dimes was originally created as an organization addressing polio. Once polio was all but eradicated in the United States, rather than shutting down the March of Dimes shifted its focus to preventing preterm births.

Even though I'm no longer an intern at the March of Dimes, I remain close with my mentors and colleagues at the National Office. My current position as a reproductive genetics study supervisor allows me to work on projects focused on ensuring that women have healthy pregnancies. I also continue to support the March of Dimes mission by participating in their annual March for Babies. Each year across the nation hundreds of walks are held to raise money to continue the research, advocacy, and support initiatives the March of Dimes is known for. This year, the Westchester March for Babies took place on Sunday, April 27.

I always have a wonderful time at the walk, which kicks off at Saxon Woods Park in White Plains.

I was so grateful to be a part of the team kicking off the event onstage. This team included White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, WCBS Meteorologist Elise Finch, March for Babies board members, and the absolutely adorable Joy, a micro preemie born to the March for Babies Ambassador family, the Degls. Joy is now a thriving 22-month old. 

With Elise Finch prior to kicking off the March! Yes, I am double-sashing it! 

There were so many people that we didn't even fit behind the banner as we prepared to start the Walk through White Plains!

Off they go! In all, Westchester walkers raised over $800,000!

I happened to spot some of my Montefiore coworkers in the crowd of walkers--how awesome is that?!

Electric City Couture

When you think of high fashion, what cities come to mind? New York City, natch. Paris. Milan. But what about Saratoga Springs? If you're shaking your head and thinking, "No way," I have a surprise for you.

The last stop on my Saturday appearances in the Capital Region was the Electric City Couture Fashion Show. The mission of Electric City Couture is "to create a sustainable, fabulous scene that raises awareness for the art of fashion and fashion related support industries, specifically regionally produced design and services that can help stimulate regional economic development through the fashion based creative economy." This was the 5th major runway show held by Electric City Couture, with the Universal Preservation Hall hosting a fabulous evening of fashion.

I had the opportunity to model for 'e ko logic, a fashion line based out of Troy that recycles post-consumer clothing (particularly cashmere sweaters) into beautiful, unique sweaters, dresses, vests, and more! 

It was also fun to hang out backstage with a pageant sister, Brit Drahos, the reigning Miss Hudson Valley 2014! Here she is modeling for Kristina Collions Clothing, a Saratoga Springs-based label.

All of the designs featured in the show, from stunning hats to sparkling gowns, were absolutely incredible! As all of the models joined for a fabulous final walk down the runway to Pharrell's 'Happy', I couldn't help but be awed by the talent featured. 

The best part of the Electric City Couture show is the accessibility of all of these designs. The designers all work right here in the Capital Region! I highly encourage you to take the time to stop by their storefronts and support local, sustainable fashion. I know I'll be back soon to do some shopping!

Special thanks to Studio di Luce for these photos. To see photos of the entire show, check out their website!

An incredibly thankful shout out to Shapes & Colours Day Spa, the fabulous hair and makeup team. They labored over my crazy hair for at least an hour to make it perfect!

RPI Eco Princess Festival

The second event that I attended this past Saturday was the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Eco Princess Festival!

Miss Syracuse 2014, Adrienne Wilson, spearheaded this event last year on her college campus. It was such a success that she was asked to host it again! She only had a week to prepare for the festival, but did a wonderful job of putting together an event that was entertaining and educational for the children attending. Adrienne's platform, Project Earth: ECO Adventurers Rescuing Their Home, is dedicated to teaching youth the importance of taking care of our planet. This is such an important and relevant topic, and I was delighted to play a small role in empowering the next generation with the tools they need to be ECO Adventurers.

My job as Princess Tiana was to take part in an exercise designed to explain to children where the different ingredients used to create chocolate are sourced from.

First, the children stopped by a world map.

Princess Aurora then explained to them where each of the ingredients used in chocolate comes from, and helped them to identify the countries on the map.

Once they had a better understanding of where their treats came from, the children came and did a traditional beanbag toss!

Each number on the beanbag toss corresponded with a candy that the children could take home with them. Pretty sweet, right?!

Once the children had completed this and other fun learning activities, they could write down the ways they planned to take care of the world we live in.

Thank you, Adrienne, for inviting me to take part in this event and support your platform! 

With my fellow princesses!

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to make my first full day of appearances in the Capital Region! Because I was crowned in Clifton Park, I'm committed to making appearances in the area to give back to the community that has supported the Empire Pageant Organization for years. While it is wonderful to make appearances in my home community of Westchester, I've been having such a great time making connections with Albany-area organizations and getting to know the region.

My first stop of the day on Saturday was to the annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes at Samaritan Hospital in Troy. At Walk A Mile events held nationwide, men literally walk one mile in women's high heeled shoes to protest sexualized violence, educate their communities, and raise money for underfunded rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, and other sexualized violence prevention and recovery services. Samaritan Hospital's walk raised funds for The Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program for Rensselaer County--the only agency in the county that provides comprehensive, specialized services to victims of sexual violence, victims of stalking, older adults, homicide survivors, and other victims of crime (as well as their family members, friends, and significant others).*

The turnout for this event was incredible, and all of the men participating were such great sports about having to rock heels for the morning! Their styles ranged from over-the-knee lace up boots to simple red pumps, but they all looked great supporting this important cause. I helped a sweet hospital intern, Roshaun, man a table where walkers had the chance to write down their reason for walking. Roshaun was also displaying a posterboard and wheel that she had designed that outlined the phases in the cycle of abusive relationships.

These two young women were a startling reminder of how violent abuse can be.

I was so incredibly moved by this woman's story. After murdering a young woman in front of her, her ex-husband attempted to kill her as well. She survived, and now (many years after the attack) was proud to be walking as a sign of her strength. 

Before the official walk kicked off, local mascots took part in a mascot race! 

With the Valleycat's Mascot -- he may not have won the mascot race (the Stewart's cow did), but was still in great spirits while he supported the community.

After the mascot race, we had the chance to hear from two survivors of sexual assault. This was a particularly powerful moment of the day. One of the survivors has participated in this Walk for a few years now, and is a top fundraiser for the cause. She spoke about how she isn't afraid to speak out about what happened to her, and how she will not let anything silence her. The other survivor was a gentleman sharing his story with a crowd for the first time ever. Both survivors came from different walks in life, but were equally inspiring and a reminder that sexual assault can happen to anyone. We also heard from the local police department, and it was announced that the Troy Police Department will be creating a Special Victim's Unit dedicated to addressing sexual assault and domestic violence. 

It is so wonderful to have the local police department dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence!

Then, it was time to walk!

Check out the crowd!

I'm so thankful that I had the chance to be a part of this event. The core of my platform may focus on preventing teen dating violence, but I am dedicated to stopping all forms of domestic violence and sexual assault. Thank you to the Samaritan Hospital team for welcoming me as a volunteer. I'm looking forward to attending next year's Walk A Mile event already!

With Lindsey, Director of the Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program at Samaritan Hospital.

With Roshaun, a talented Samaratin Hospital intern.

I've posted more pictures on my facebook page, and there are also pictures available on the Times Union website!


*Descriptions of Walk A Mile and The Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program are adapted from their websites.

Journey to Miss New York - The Swimsuit Competition

When I first started competing in pageants, the Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit competition freaked me out. I was barely comfortable with wearing a bikini alone in my room, let alone on stage (in heels!) in front of a crowd! I've always been naturally thin, but I have not always had the confidence to strut my stuff in what basically equates to bedazzled underwear in public.

At a Westchester Pageants Photoshoot prior to competition...I think my body language shows that I'm not 100% confident here.

Over the past 3 years, I have become more comfortable in my own skin. A lot of that has to do with the confidence I've gained just by participating in pageants. It also comes from growing up! I feel far removed from the awkward, frizzy-haired teen with braces that I was in high school. Okay, so I still might have frizzy hair some days. But as a woman making her place in this world, I've learned to embrace my flaws and own every bit of who I am.

Taking the stage a few months later...with MUCH more confidence!

Aside from having a higher sense of self-esteem in general, much of my confidence in swimsuit comes from knowing that I've worked hard to ensure that I'm in tip-top shape when I hit the stage. I may have always been naturally thin, but I haven't always been fit. Recognizing this, and working to change it, has made all the difference for me. Here are some of the ways I've worked to become fit and healthy on my journey to Miss New York 2014.

1. Practice wellness year round. I don't only eat well and work out when I'm preparing for a pageant--I do so all the time! Of course, I may indulge in treats more often when competition isn't approaching, but I still strive to move my body once a day and nourish my body with healthy foods. My usual diet already excludes a lot of foods that I find slow me down and leave me sluggish: soda, white bread, processed and fast foods. And while I might not hit the gym as often off-season, I find other ways to stay active, like taking my dog for long walks and doing at-home strength training.
2. Have a plan. One of the best decisions I've made while preparing for pageants is signing up as a member of Complete Physique. Complete Physique is an online fitness program specifically designed for pageant competitors. Founder Nancy Bond creates an individualized workout plan and meal plan for me each month. She's there to answer any questions I have, provide support, and hold me accountable.
3. Have a backup plan. And by this, I mean have your own setup at home where you can workout if you don't have the time or energy to make it to the actual gym. In my room, I keep a BOSU, jump rope, exercise ball, resistance bands, a set of dumbbells, a kettlebell, a workout bench, and a medicine ball. I didn't buy everything at once, but looked for sales and slowly built up this mini home gym (Dick's Sporting Goods is my go-to for great prices). It takes up less space in a room than you'd think, and makes it so simple to squeeze in a workout before bed on a busy day!
4. Make it a habit. It is really, really easy to give up on lifestyle changes when you first begin to implement them. Stick with it. I promise that it gets easier. When I first began to make dietary changes, I thought I would never be able to survive without endless amounts of bread and cheese. But the longer I went without overindulging, the easier it began to resist the temptation. When I realized how much better I felt when I avoided certain foods, it was even easier to maintain my new lifestyle.
5. Be inspired. I don't always have the motivation to workout. I've found that following inspirational accounts on instagram makes me want to workout. I love seeing workout ideas, fresh new fitness fashion, and delicious food pictures posted. Some of my favorite accounts include:

@kayla_itsines

@the_healthy_me

@elle_fit

@laurengleisberg

@_kimberlysnyder
@lornajaneactive

Picking the perfect swimsuit to wear on stage is the final piece of the puzzle. Since 2011, I've worked with Kandice Pelletier for all of my pageant swimsuit needs. A former Miss New York, Kandice knows what it is like to search for a swimsuit that helps you look and feel like a perfect 10 on stage. Her suits make the selection process a breeze! I can't wait to rock my newest selection at Miss New York in May.

I hope this post was helpful--if you enjoyed it, check out my fitness blog, Sweatsational for more fitness tips, workout ideas, and healthy recipes!

An Evening of Inspiration and Hope with Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of connecting with Kristen Paruginog, Founder and Executive Director of Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence. In 2011, Kristen shared her story of experiencing domestic violence on social media to empower victims and survivors of domestic violence. She received an outpouring of support, and an influx of stories from victims and survivors. With over 13,000 followers on Facebook, Break the Silence has grown tremendously since its start and provides education, individual services, and a forum for survivors to begin their healing process.

Kristen recently embarked on a ten-city national tour with Break the Silence, and Staten Island was her final stop. Along the way she has shared her story, connected with survivors of abuse at each location, and raised awareness surrounding domestic violence. As a former pageant competitor, Kristen has also been working to connect with titleholders from across California (her home state), Massachusetts (a tour stop), and New York! It was a pleasure to join Kristen, Lauren Park (the Break the Silence New York Chapter Leader) and supporters from the local community--including Jamie Lynn Macchia, Miss Staten Island 2014.

Jamie, Kristen, and Me -- Isn't this BTS t-shirt awesome?! 

Attendees were treated to a delicious meal at the Oriental Plaza, and there were a ton of incredible raffles taken place. While I didn't win any of the prizes I had my eye on, the raffles were a huge success! Over $900 was raised to support the work that Break the Silence is doing. 

Jamie and I enjoyed dinner with our lovely mothers and Michael, a Miss NY supporter

Kristen and Lauren both took the time to tell us a bit of their stories--and both are incredibly strong women who faced dating abuse while in their late teens. Their stories were a sobering reminder that domestic abuse is an issue that transcends age, race, social status, family life, and all other bounds. Their stories are one of the reasons I remain committed to addressing domestic violence with teens who are just beginning to date. I was able to speak to attendees about my goals as a titleholder promoting a platform related to domestic violence, and about the work I have done in the past. I am looking forward to working with Break the Silence throughout my year of service and beyond.

Speaking about my platform, L8ER H8ER: Saying Goodbye to Teen Dating Violence

Aside from supporting Break the Silence, I was so glad that this evening gave me the chance to get to know Jamie, Miss Staten Island, better! She is such a sweetheart and so incredibly committed to serving her community. While her platform is Pediatric Cancer, she has attended hundreds (seriously!) of events as a local titleholder to support various causes impacting those on Staten Island and beyond. She gave me some great advice about practical preparations for Miss New York, and I am looking forward to spending pageant week with her! 

So glad that being a part of the Miss New York Class of 2014 has introduced me to such fabulous young women like Jamie!

Jamie and I also met Lauren's adorable niece! She thought Jamie and I were princesses, and was absolutely enamored with Jamie's crown and necklace. Jamie made her night when she gave her the chance to wear her crown!

I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to attend this event! I am also really excited to spread the word about Break the Silence with the rest of my Miss New York sisters. Kristen is committed to a future without domestic violence--and she is dedicated enough to make that future a reality (seriously--she attended this event with the flu and still rocked it)! This may be my first blog post about Break the Silence, but it will not be my last! Stay tuned--there are some fun opportunities for collaboration coming up, including the possibility of a trip to California this fall to speak at Break the Silence's Diversity Takes Action Conference.

As my Miss New York sister Courtney Sheridan's platform title states: "Silence Hides Violence." Break the Silence is giving victims of domestic violence and advocates like myself the chance to speak out in a way that is being heard across the nation by way of social media. The best part? People are listening.