Today I made my last appearances as Miss Liberty prior to competing for the title of Miss New York 2011. My day started at my alma mater, Wagner College, for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. I was the Team Captain for Silver Lake Specialized Care Center. The event did face some rain but that didn’t stop the celebration of survivorship.
My second appearance was at Richmond University Medical Center for their sixth annual Kids Against Tobacco Film Festival. This is one of my favorite events to participate in because it shows teens understanding the message of saying no to smoking simultaneously giving them the opportunity to spread that same message to their peers. Kids from various public schools across Staten Island spent an entire year producing, writing, editing, and directing films that promote the anti-tobacco campaign. Every June those films are nominated for Oscar type awards that are presented at the festival. This was my third consecutive year acting as a presenter. Let me tell you…these were probably the best anti-smoking films I have ever seen! These kids truly outdid themselves. The work the produced was absolutely outstanding and I couldn’t be prouder. Joining me as a presenter was Miss Staten Island’s Outstanding Teen, Shreya Jain, and Miss Teen Earth Staten Island, Alexandria Robinson. A special thank you to Dr. Cynthia Wong, the director and founder of this event, for including me in the festival and for spearheading the tobacco prevention campaign at RUMC.
Mom and I
Dr. Cynthia Wong
A few students who participated in Kids Against Tobacco Film Festival
Miss Staten Island’s Outstanding Teen, Shreya Jain, and Miss Teen Earth Staten Island, Alexandria Robinson
Miss New York City Outstanding Teen, Shelley Jain
That's me at the Richmond County Fair with Kristina Ferraro, Miss Staten Island 1994. This is where my journey in the Miss America Organization began. I have had the privilege to grow up in an environment full of service, scholarship, style, and success. I was enamored by every new Miss Staten Island; I looked up to these women as the big sister I never had. Miss New Yorks and Miss Americas also became my role models, traveling every year to Watertown, NY and Atlantic City, NJ to witness the crowning of a new queen. These were my role models as a child. And I always hoped that one day I could also be a role model to the younger generation.
Part one of my dream came true when I was crowned Miss Staten Island 2009. It became clear to me that God had big plans for me as I became Miss Richmond County 2010 and Miss Liberty 2011. These past three years have been a dream come true. It is an honor to say that I have represented my hometown for three years. There were so many opportunities granted to me that without these titles I never would have achieved them. As I reflect on the week ahead, understanding that this will be the last time I compete for Miss New York, I visualize my past three years as successful ones. I am excited to compete in my hometown for the last time, ending the journey where it all began. It has been a privilege to have held three amazing titles and represent the greatest city in the world! I am the woman I am today because of the Miss America Organization. My gratitude extends to everyone who has been a part of my journey. So here's to the continuation of my journey. Because for me this is not the end. It's only the beginning.
