Bullied Teen Crowned Homecoming Princess

I preach about communities taking the issue of bullying into their own hands. I give you proof of it's power. Talk about winning a crown for a cause!

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Brooklyn Kiwanis Dinner Gala

Tonight I was invited as a special guest for the Brooklyn Kiwanis Dinner Gala. This evening honored a number of community members for their outstanding work in community development and support.

I was joined by a local celebrity and a dear friend of my own, Christina Moore, Miss Brooklyn 2011. When I say local celebrity I truly mean it. Christina's work to bring Sarcoma awareness to Brooklyn has engaged the entire community.

Tonight was a celebration of all the wonderful work the Kiwanis and their friends are doing in the community. Supporters came from all over Brooklyn to be part of the festivities.

Here is the best news of the night. As I mentioned in my last post, Senator Klien has introduced a bill to tackle cyber bullying in Albany. Among the many esteemed guests at this evening's event was newly elected Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis. Right off the bat I liked this woman; she was incredibly down to earth and paid honest attention to those with whom she spoke and interacted. I took a moment to ask her what she knew about the new bill, and she said she would be happy to get me together with some of its major supporters to learn more and get involved. Senator Marty Golden, who I recognized from our introduction at the Children of the City Gala earlier this year, was also in attendance. I mentioned to him my work with bullying and am thrilled to say that he has committed to supporting our efforts from the Republican end. There you have it, New York: our local representatives are actively involving their community members in the fight. And thus the battle against bullying in New York continues to move forward!!

More wonderful news: I was given an opportunity to speak briefly with the crowd about my work with bullying, and also with Children's Miracle Network. Within minutes of making my speech, I was approached by several individuals and reached my CMN fundraising goal! We have broken the $1000 mark, thank you New York!

This night was full of wonderful new friends, great entertainment, but most of all it was full of goodwill. The Kiwanis truly care about the development of their community and that was perfectly clear tonight. Thank you to the Kiwanis for having me join you, for your incredible support, and for all that you do for the Brooklyn community!

The Bill is Here!

Ladies and Gents: I have news that will set your heart a-glow.

This morning, New York Senator Jeffery Klein introduced a bill to combat the issue of cyber bullying in the State of New York!! That's right, we are already seeing progress in Albany! Also on the project is Senator Savino, who has been a longtime supporter of cyber bullying legislation.

This issue has become a fast priority for our lawmakers. We must continue to use our petition to add our voice to the conversation. Sign and share with others so we can make sure we are heard.

Ok let's pause for a moment. When I first started as Miss New York, I did not have an interest in pursuing bullying from a legal angle. I thought laws would make no difference, as they are only a reactionary tool with a slight possibility of deterrence. Yet after the loss of Jamey, I realize the importance of creating formal grounds on which to stand against online attacks. This family experienced a loss that is directly related to the actions of others, yet the accountable party is in fact not accountable according to current law. Is that truly how we feel? I think we would be wrong not to seriously reconsider and update our legal language in relation to modernized cyber attacks made between minors.

However, I stand by my original commitment...I do not think legislation is the sole solution. If we want to see less bullying - be it online or otherwise - we need to start teaching children what bullying is and how to handle it in their lives and among peers. We need to educate teachers and staff on how to help a child being bullied as well as how to help the bullies themselves. We need to teach parents the necessary steps for handling a child who is being bullied, or is acting as a bully.

Without efforts on the local level, we cannot make change. Bystander intervention has an 80% rate of stopping a bully. That's a powerful piece of knowledge, and proof that each of us has the power to fight this battle. I will be traveling this fall to schools throughout the state to share action plans and educational tools to help communities strengthen their stance against bullying. We must educate ourselves and others so we can all join the battle and bring change.

To add your school or community to my Fall Bullying Tour,

email judy@missny.org.

Add your signature to the my New York Petition Against Cyberbullying.

Howard Beach Columbus Day Parade

This afternoon I helped kick off this week's Columbus Day festivities by participating in the Howard Beach Columbus Day Parade. The parade is among the largest in the New York City, featuring three hours of floats and musical entertainment - including a main stage musical number by yours truly!

Yes, Sicilian blood surges through my veins. I may have a splash of Polish in there, but the Italian side was most present in my upbringing. That means lots of food and lots of family. I grew up in what my friends like to call the Everbody-Loves-Raymond style: Grandparents lived on the same street. Family always came first and we were best friends above all else. I learned to appreciate the concept of family for the support structure it offers, and its ability to teach respect and how to overcome differences.

So naturally I felt right at home chatting with the crowd while stuffing down sausages and homemade cheesecake (what? swimsuit competition in four months?)

A three hour parade takes serious work to organize, yet members of the community gladly volunteer to make it happen year after year. I have such respect for any neighborhood that puts forth this kind of effort to maintain community-building traditions. Sometimes I worry that modern culture is turning so drastically towards individualism that we risk losing the things that keep us connected. As I stood among the packed sidewalks I was warmly reminded that human connection is still entirely alive and incredibly valued. It may have been about Christopher Columbus, but was truly about celebrating the neighborhood's commitment to maintaining a unique and colorful culture.

Oh and guess who else was there! My beautiful USO sisters! Kirbi, Heidi and Melissa!

Thank you to Howard Beach for letting me join you today! Thanks to all the volunteers and supporters who make this parade such a beautiful part of New York's Italian culture!

Petition for Cyberbullying Law in New York!

We've made the petition, now it's your turn.

Sign the petition to bring Cyberbullying legislation to Albany.

The death of New York teen Jamey Rodemeyer has left the nation in outrage. We can turn this pain into progress. Currently, there are no laws in New York protecting children, teens, and families from online attacks by their peers. Just as libel and slander are laws created to protect us from the abuse of freedom of speech, we must create similar legislation to protect young internet users from the potentially lethal and abusive power of the internet.

Social media and digital communication technology grows every day. We must keep up with the proper legal tools to protect the health and well being of young users.

What happened to Jamey is EXACTLY what my platform is fighting to prevent. No one has the right to impede on anyone else's ability to be happy. Happiness is your own journey. The loss of Jamey is a grave reminder of the potentially dangerous nature of the internet, and yet we cannot deny its permanent and significant place in our present and future culture. We can't stop it, but we can help.

The link to the petition: www.tinyurl.com/jameyslawny

Post it on Facebook. Tweet it with the hashtag #makealawforjamey. Email it to your friends, co-workers, classmates, family...

Let your voice be heard. Join the movement, sign and share the petition today.

Guest Speaker at the South Shore Rotary

I want to thank the South Shore Rotary of Staten Island for welcoming me to their meeting today as the club guest. It was wonderful to have your support and share with you all the wonderful projects and efforts I have underway.

There is no question why Staten Island has made such a wonderful home for the Miss New York Organization. Their community-minded energy is among the best in the state, and they have a keen understanding of how valuable the Miss New York program is for the young women of this state. Many of them took part in growing the organization, leading locals and generating support that remains critical in our organization today. I look forward to partnering with several of you and thank you all for your support and kind words.

Buffalo teen lost to bullying.

In May, 14 year old Jamey Rodemeyer posted this:

Somehow, despite his work to embrace himself and help others find hope, someone felt the need to take that away.

Last night, this Buffalo native took his own life. He had been a longtime victim of online harassment for being gay. New York is suffering the loss of a child because of the horrors of bullying.

I feel like nothing I could say would come close to expressing my reaction to this news.

What baffles me is that somewhere there was a kid on the other side of the computer who was capable of posting such hurtful material. Do we live in a culture where something wrong becomes acceptable when you know you won't be caught? I can't stand to believe that. I suspect the anonymity of the internet swells users with a false sense of power and reality. As face-to-face interaction continues to be replaced by digital media (I cannot believe some college classes are taught by video now) I worry that we are losing our sense of human value.

My heart weaps for Jamey, his family, and everyone who loved him. Among the most tragic aspects of this situation is that Jamey was apparently actively working with therapists and social workers to handle the pain of being bullied. His friends reported the bullying and supported him. Despite all the right moves, his attackers won.

Jamey: I wish I could have talked to you. I wish I could have told you to take down your Tumblr account or sat and listened to Lady Gaga with you for hours. To anyone considering suicide: the bullies are wrong. My email is missny2011@missny.org and if you have no one else, know that you have me. I am fighting a war in your honor and will use every resource I have to help you remember just how wonderful you are. Whether those around us see it yet or not, we are all on our way to being something amazing. No one has the right to take that away from you.

RIP Jamey. You did not deserve the hurt you felt. As I continue my fight to improve resources for victims of cyberbullying and create a safer internet, I will forever keep you in my heart.

Planete Chic Fashion Show

Today I was invited to join Planete Chic for their Fashion Week Runway Show. Planete Chic brings international designers to the New York fashion scene to help promote them in increasingly competitive international markets. It was an honor to attend as this evening special guest!

I sat front and center to view work by designers Adraina Cobo, Alberto Rodriguez, and Sarly Couture. It was an honor to get so close to such beautiful work. I am so wildly intrigued by the world of high fashion. I always wished I was one inch taller so I could hit the runway (5'7" is that magic number!)

Thank you to Planete Chic for inviting me to be part of tonight's event, and to all the designers for sharing their beautiful work!

Meeting with YAI

Remember this summer when you all helped me take part in the Central Park Challenge? They were one of the first organizations I supported with my local title.

Today I sat back down with the team at YAI to talk about opportunities for the coming year. I won't spoil the surprises, but will say that I am absolutely thrilled that YAI will be part of my coming year!! This partnership is in honor of my brother, Peter, and sister, Virginia.

For those of you who don't know, YAI is a network of programs and services for people living with autism. YAI covers the entire range of needs, offering everything from job training to medical services and kindergarten. There are two things I love about them. First, that they are easing the burden that a disability may have on a person and family by providing such expansive support. My mother had to work hard to find the right programs for my brother because Rochester does not have a network like this. NYC is incredibly fortunate to have one place with all the answers. Second, YAI helps our neighbors who live with disabilities to become productive, confident members of our communities. By helping to find and develop skills and abilities, these individuals are going from a world of "can't" to a place of "can." What an empowering transition (one we are working on with my brother.)

Check out more on YAI at their website. I can't say it enough: I am absolutely thrilled to be working with them this year!!!

Local Celebrity for Artistry Cosmetics

Artistry Cosmetics is the official makeup sponsor for Miss America. During our recent trip to Orlando, Artistry gave each contestant a kit of products to try out. My half empty lipgloss is a testament to my love for their stuff, so you can imagine my excitement when they asked me to be the local celebrity during their Amway Mobile Experience this weekend.

This bad boy, equipt with products and specialists for Artistry and Nutrilite brands, tours the country to visit business owners who work with Amway products. With Amway being such a large company, it's incredible that they still keep communication such an obvious priority between the corporate and local business level.

The inside of this bus was almost the size of my entire apartment (I know, NYC apartments are an odd and rather non-universal form of measurement.) I fell in love with the Fruit and Veggies 2 Go drink mix. Probably consumed a lifetime of nutrition over those two days. Between sips of juice I snapped pictures and chatted with guests from all over the Long Island area.

The best part was getting a chance to sit down and chat with local NY'ers about what I do as Miss New York. I shared stories about my CMN work, my efforts with bullying, and dropped some scholarship statistics that won the heart of even the most skeptical guest. Alas, even I at one point did not know what it meant to be a Miss America contestant. I am always glad when I can give someone a real idea of what these crowns mean and who these women are.

Ok wait...before you think I'm some goober who wears the same outfit for two entire days while getting close to people, I must let you know that my camera decided to take all my first day pictures as video clips instead of stills. So these are my friends from day 2. Yes, I know how hilarious it would be to upload the awkward two second clips from the first day. I'm hoping some of my day 1 friends will email me their pictures so I can share them with you! Haha phew, just had to defend my hygiene for a moment.

Thank you to my friends with Amway for letting me be part of this weekend and teaching me so much about the products. Thank you to the many new friends I made for spending the day with me! I hope to keep in touch, and look forward to possibly visiting a few of your schools and organizations soon!

Until next time...this is Miss New York signing off. Over and out.

Well Done! NYC Awards

Tonight we came out to celebrate those in the non profit and community action area who are making an impact in the Big Apple. I had the honor of being a presenter for the first annual Well Done! NYC Awards. Held at Libations Lounge in Soho, the evening celebrated the individuals and organizations that give so much to the New York City community.

Honored at tonight's event was Uptown Girl Power, New York Cares, Mamma Foundation for the Arts, and National Action Network. All of this evenings proceeds will benefit these organizations in support of their incredible work.

Several speakers joined us for the evening, including good friend and author Lucinda Cross! I met Lucinda this summer when I emceed for the NYC Women's Empowerment Conference (check out that blog post.) She spoke about the power of "yes". We so often tell ourselves no in life: no I shouldn't go blonde, no I'm not good enough to apply for that school, no I shouldn't compete for Miss New York. But Lucinda believes in saying "yes". Why not? Why not allow yourself to hit go and find out what happens? I said yes to my dream of acting and, though a scary road to travel, am so glad that I will never have to look back and ponder upon the ever haunting "what if?" I recommend checking out Lucinda's book. Huge fan of her vision and work.

Also speaking tonight was Rebecca King Crews (brilliant speaker and star of BET's The Family Crews) and Helen Troncoso (reigning Miss New York Belleza Latina). Entertainment was provided by DJ Laa Choc, Clarisa Rose, and Notorious (house band on 106 & Park) and our host was Fresh 102.7's Jasmine Sanders. I was thrilled when the ever beautiful, ever incredible Mallory Hagan (Miss Manhattan 2011) joined us for the night!

Congratulations to all of tonight's honorees. It is so important that people take the issue of improving our world into their own hands, and your organizations are doing just that. You provide opportunities for others to help their neighbors, and for many to find help and support in improving their future. Thank you to the guests who came out to support tonight's cause!

Also, thank you to the creator of tonight's event, Tawana Sharee Butler (founder of La Frai DS.) I am so glad to be able to support this inaugural event, and look forward to watching it grow in the years to come! You have brought a wonderful thing to the city of New York!

Happy 90th, Miss America Pageant

This year marks 90 years for the Miss America Pageant. The 2012 contestants were asked to film a birthday message for what is now the leading provider of scholarships for women in the world. Now that, my friends, is inarguably worth celebrating.

Miss Buffalo 2012

Tonight in Buffalo, a young woman was crowned.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome your new Miss Buffalo 2012...Lonna McCary!!!

Lonna is a native of Silver Creek and was crowned Miss Buffalo 2012 at today's pageant held in Buffalo, NY.

The Miss Buffalo title went all the way to third runner up this summer thanks to outgoing titleholder, Desiree Wiley. Thank you to Desiree for a wonderful year of service, and I wish Lonna just as much success with her year ahead!

Pictured here is Lonna with her mother and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

Congratulations, Lonna!!!

Congratulations, KE!!

Look who's Achilles International Member of the Month! Remember my workout with Achilles Kids???

CONGRATULATIONS, KE!!!!! So proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KE is eight years old and on a feeding tube. He is an advocate for the American Partnership For Eosinophilic Disorders. You can check him out his Facebook page (K.E.'s EOS Fight) to hear about his journey and help him raise awareness.

While you are there, "like" his page. He's the kind of guy for whom the "like" button was made.