Miss Liberty 2011: Miss America Week

Viva Las Vegas! What a great way to ring in the New Year by going to Las Vegas for the Miss America Pageant! Miss America week took place January 10th-January 15th at the Plant Hollywood Resort and Casino. This year was extra special because the Miss America Organization was celebrating its 90th anniversary. Think about it...90 years of Miss America...it's an honor just to be affiliated with such a respected organization. New York is so proud of our queen, Claire Buffie. Claire finished in the Top 12 and was the America's Choice Winner! She looked stunning in her black velvet evening gown, performed a great jazz routine, looked fierce in swimsuit, and had one of the best onstage answers out of the whole pageant. One moment from that week that I remember vividly was when I saw Claire for the first time. It was at P.F. Chang's restaurant and all the Miss America contestants just finished dinner. My mother and I noticed the girls walking down the stairs as they headed back to rehearsal. We waited patiently until we spotted Claire on the stairs. We cheered: "Yay Miss New York!" When she saw us, she walked in my direction and gave me a huge hug. She looked amazing. Before we parted she said to me, "This is happening." Yes, the experience of a lifetime was a reality. The chance of having a son go to the Super Bowl is greater than having a daughter go to Miss America. Many young women dream of competing for the coveted title, but a handful get that opportunity each year. And you only get to go ONCE. So to see your friend have that "this is happening" moment is truly inspiring. From trade shows to attending rehearsals to attending an invitation only MacDuggal trunk show to cheering at the preliminary competitions, and everything else in between, you can say I had an amazing time in Las Vegas. The following pictures are the best way to summarize the week. Surrounded by the excitement that is Miss America, I hope to one day have my own "this is happening" moment.