Back to School, Back to School

Today is officially a week and a day into classes for the spring semester, and for me, my last semester of undergraduate and Ithaca College! While exciting, it is also bittersweet to know that this is my last semester of undergrad, and my last semester at Ithaca. The next fourteen weeks will be full of first lasts, and I am really looking forward to living this semester to the very fullest! And although it has only been a week, the schoolwork is already beginning to pile up. Because I elected to graduate a year early, I am taking a full load this semester - 18 credits - plus taking 12 credits this summer at Jefferson Community College. I will be graduating in August 2011, but fortunately, I will be able to walk at graduation in May. My decision to graduate early came a little late because, shockingly, schools don't like to broadcast the opportunity to save a year's worth of tuition, especially to students like me who came in with credits from high school. So, as you can imagine, these past few months have been spent realizing the changes ahead for me. I will be attending graduate school, moving out of my parent's house, and finding a "real job"! I'm a little anxious to do all of these things, but at the same time, I am really excited and looking forward to the opportunities that the real world will have for me.

Now, for some updates on Miss TI!

I've started a new workout plan (Thanks Shelby!), in addition to my previous workout. It is imperative that I maintain my fitness and health, plus, the plan helps me to stay on track with my schedule that includes classes, work, homework, and meals. I have found that by staying busy after classes end, I have been much more productive with schoolwork and other things that need to get done! Remember to mix up your workout, fuel your body with wholesome and healthy foods, and find time every day for the gym or a home workout!

Over winter break, I also met with Corri Dartnell, Miss Thousand Islands 2008, who is a music teacher, to work on my song for talent! I'm keeping this a surprise, but I'm really excited about it!

Upcoming Pageants & Events:

February 5 - Miss Fulton County 2011 (Gloversville High School)

I would like to wish all of the girls competing in this pageant good luck! Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend, but I will be thinking of my pageant sisters as they compete! I encourage you all to venture out and support these amazing young women on their journey to the crown! Also, I would like to congratulate Heather Shaffer, Miss Fulton County 2010, on a fabulous year of service!

February 26 - Miss Finger Lakes 2011 (Corning, NY)

I will be attending the Miss Finger Lakes 2011 pageant, and am SO excited! I realized that I have never actually watched a local pageant in the Miss America Organization. Plus, last year I competed in Finger Lakes and met some wonderful new pageant sisters who I hope will be competing! I would like to wish all of these ladies good luck as they prepare for this competition, and encourage you all to join me for this event! Last, but certainly not least, I would like to give a shout out to my pageant sister, Amy Valenti, Miss Finger Lakes 2010, and congratulate her on her amazing year of service. I was there to witness Amy's crowning, and have to say, it was one of the best I've seen!

March 6 - Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Fashion Show sponsored by A Touch of Grace (Watertown, NY)

This is another exciting event that I will be hosting!!! This fashion show holds a special place in my heart, not only because it will raise money for CMNH in a really fun way, but also because I have been a model in this fashion show twice. You can call Kathy or Kristan Lettiere (Miss Thousand Islands 2009) at A Touch of Grace at 315-788-6164 for more information on attending or being a model. The event will be held at the Carriage House at the Best Western in Watertown and begins at 1pm. Tickets are $10, and you can call the above number to purchase. The fashion show will feature this season's hottest prom looks, so come out and support a great cause and find your dream dress for prom!

March 11 - North Country Goes Green Irish Festival - Miss Ireland Pageant

The Miss Ireland pageant is another event that I have looked forward to year after year, and I am excited once again to attend this pageant and festival. Two years ago, one of my closest high school friends won the crown of Miss Ireland, and last year, she was lucky enough to be able to crown her younger sister as Miss Ireland 2010. Must be the luck of the Irish! The phases of competition in this pageant include evening gown, on stage question, and expression of Irish Heritage. Girls express their heritage in many different ways, including storytelling, poetry, music, dance, and comedy. In this phase, the contestants are not judged on their talent, but on how well they are able to express their Irish Heritage and its importance to them. If you happen to be in Watertown or a surrounding area, be sure to stop by the Irish Fest, a tradition in the North Country and Thousand Islands region, and the pageant!


Lastly, I would like to encourage you all to follow the link below and make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. In doing this, you will be helping me compete in Miss New York and reach my fundraising goal of $500 (required, $250).

In the works:

Keep your eyes open for news about my big CMNH fundraising event that will happen in mid-May!

Have a great week everyone!

Clayton, NY @ #3 for Top Ten Coolest Small Towns in USA!

Hey everyone!

I know it's been a long time since I've posted, and I'm just getting back to classes today, so I promise to post with updates and news about my life soon, but I wanted to quickly encourage you all to follow the link below and vote for Clayton, NY to be one of the Coolest Small Towns in America! Clayton is only one of the unique and picturesque towns within the Thousand Islands, but it certainly deserves this great honor!

http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-srv/coolestsmalltowns/CST2011.html

GO CLAYTON! :-)

Miss America!

As I impatiently wait for Miss America to begin (tonight at 9pm on ABC), I thought I would update my blog, something I haven't done in quite a while. Before I start babbling, I want to wish Claire Buffie, our Miss New York 2010, luck at the pageant tonight. Claire has done an AWESOME job in preliminaries this week (view them on the Miss America Facebook or YouTube) and no matter what the results of tonight's pageant are, New York is very proud.

Now, I was supposed to be at a Miss America party with my pageant family, but because of the crazy winter weather, I had to stay home, snowed in. Even so, it will be fun to watch the pageant with my mom, something that I remember doing when I was really young. Anyway, I am beginning the last week of my winter break, and it is pretty bittersweet. It is exciting, and also a little scary, that after this semester and a few summer classes, I will have completed my degree and will be on to graduate school. Much of my vacation has been spent making a plan for the next year. Of course, I compete at Miss New York in June 2011, then will return to my summer job at the Crescent Yacht Club Jr. Division as a Swim Instructor and Head Lifeguard. As the summer comes to an end, I hope I will have found a "real job" and will start taking classes at Jefferson Community College through SUNY Potsdam to pursue a Master's in Childhood Education with a specialty in Special Education. Even though it sometimes seems really overwhelming, everything seems to be falling into place and I'm so lucky to have the support of my family and boyfriend, Tony.

Upcoming Miss NY prep: modeling/walk practice with former Miss NY, Jessica Renzi! I would like to thank her for her ongoing support! It means so much! Thanks, Jess!

That's all for now! Remember to tune into ABC at 9pm EST for the 90th Miss America pageant!!! And again, lots of luck to Claire! I'll be watching in my I <3 Miss NY shirt! (Thanks to Shelby & Sue for that :-))