Queen of the Rosary

Yet another Project Empower BOSS Student Business Competition kicked off today.  I coached students at Queen of the Rosary School through the preliminary development of their new product ideas for NIKE.  They have only a few weeks to flesh things out before presenting to become the top team at their school.  Knock 'em dead, teams!!

'Bowling Against Bullying' with Anthony Gargiula

Today I joined rising pop artist Antony Gargiula for the second annual 'Bowling Against Bullying' fundraiser, held at Spare Time Lanes in Latham, NY.  Families from the Albany area joined for a full day of music, games and surprises (most notably, me learning to bowl.)

This event originated when Anthony was assigned a school project about impacting the world around him.  Anthony is 12 years old and has been seen on the Today Show, Ellen, CBS Early Show, and is a regular national anthem singer at Madison Square Garden.  Of course, the aroma of his success lured envy and soon he was facing all sorts of bullying from peers. But this little man was not going to take it laying down, so he stood up and used his new found fame for good. My little hero.

Yes, Anthony had backup dancers.  They provided incredible entertainment throughout the day.  Best part about Anthony was, amid all the celebrity-status fuss going on, he stayed cool as a cucumber and incredibly humble. Yes ladies, he is single.

However, this guy? Not single. We sort of have a "thing" going now...

Lately I've had great luck with rendezvous.  I found our friend Miss Empire Rose 2012, Katelynn Smith!!  Also joining was Empire Star's Outstanding Teen 2012 and Albany's Outstanding Teen 2012, Madison Manuel and Brittany Rose Egnot.  We had a beauty queen bowling match. The only thing more embarrassing for a girl than not being able to bowl well is doing so in a crown, but when in Rome...

I'm so proud of Anthony.  It is never too early to begin influencing the world around you. Your impact can begin small, but will grow - just like Anthony's event - once others see the good behind your work. They will want to get involved. We can all come together and combine our impact when someone facilitates the conversation. Way to facilitate, Anthony.

Thank you to Anthony and his family for allowing me the chance to participate, and to the entire Albany community for participating. My brachydactylated thumb would like to thank the event security guard who taught me to  throw a bowling ball.

Secret project with ETCB Org...

My friends at End To Cyber-Bullying Organzation got together with me on Long Island for a long day of work on a secret project.

It's a secret, but I offer you this picture and the following clues: animal print pants, ikea, central meeting times, and confusion.

Stay tuned to see the answer revealed!

Westhampton Middle School

The only time I've been to the Hamptons prior to being Miss New York was to pick up used cups during a party for $30 per hour (we actors are creative with our income sources.) The Hamptons are beautiful, and today I thank Westhampton Middle School for a two great assemblies on bullying! 

The students were antsy.  With summer around the corner, it's time for students to be thinking of how to spend their free-time. I always used summers to do theater camp.  No place that felt more natural than in a room of 80 hyper kids like myself.  That is where I learned to express, to accept others, to work in teams...summer is a time to grow your personal skills.  Oh, and to get outside. We NY'ers have plenty of time during the year to sit on our butts in front of a computer. Take advantage of our few good weeks of sunshine and go outdoors. Try taking a walk without your cell phone.  Bet you can't do it!  "Challenge accepted," did you say?

Pine Bush Elementary Schools

Thanks to Pine Bush School District for letting me rock out with your little ones today!  No joke, there was rocking. While I typically plead shyness when asked to sing by students, today I took a different route.  I grabbed three students from the crowd and had them come up to sing with me.  Of course, they pretty much whispered, leaving me to perform a rather rousing rendition of "Twinkle, twinkle."  Nevertheless there was music.

Of course, there was bullying talk, too.  We covered the basics of what to do and the many reasons behind bullying.  The day's theme was bravery.  Even when you are afraid no one likes your voice, you can sing anyway. You aren't hurting anyone. They can always leave the room if it's that bad.  Maybe the wisdom of babes will start to help me overcome my newfound stage fright.

Pictures coming soon!!

Our Lady of Sorrows School

Second BOSS Student Business Competition kick-off of the day!  I went across town to Our Lady of Sorrows Middle School where I got busy helping students begin to form new product ideas for NIKE.

Wanna see behind the scenes? Check out some of the ideas starting to form...

Our Lady of Martyrs School

This morning I was at Our Lady of Martyrs Middle School in Forest Hills, NY to kick-start their BOSS Student Business Competition.  Over 2 hours I guided students as they began to develop the next big product for a national brand.  Our team will be back in about 4 weeks to see them present, looking for the team with the strongest demonstration of innovation, communication and market understanding.  I saw two of my favorite ideas come out of this school, so I've got high hopes for this one!

'Bully' Film Premier and Talk Back in Rochester

I want to marry this film.

This being said, imagine my reaction when WXXI Rochester invited me to be a panel specialist for the talk-back held immediately following the film 'Bully' at it's sold-out Rochester premier at The Little Theater.  The panel was lead by news team reporter and All Things Considered host Helen Biandudi and allowed audience members to share their reactions to the film and seek guidance on issues of bullying within their own communities.

I'll keep this one short, since you'd be best served to watch the entire post-show discussion below!



Thank you to WXXI's Helen Biandudi, Dr. James Colt, Aly Belknap, Karrie Formicola and all the participating audience members for making this such a success. I also want to thank Lee Hirsch, as the film was even better the second time.

St. Rose of Lima Middle School

Yet another Project Empower day for me.  Spent the afternoon at St. Rose of Lima for a coaching kick-off session for the BOSS Student Business Competition!  We spent nearly 2 hours together talking about how to design and market a new product for a major national brand.  The students were on a roll...best of luck to everyone!!

Staten Island United Veterans Organization Gala

I'm a sucker for an American hero.  Tonight I joined the United Staten Island Veterans Organization for their annual "Evening of Honor" Awards Ceremony to honor the men and women who have served in our military from the Staten Island community.

I had the privilege of performing the National Anthem and joining as a guest for the evening. Recognized at the event was executive director of Staten Island Fleet Week, Vito Gioddie, and local businessman Joseph DeMarco for his exceptional fundraising efforts for the USIVO.  Anthony Fanelli was also announced as the 2012 Grand Marshall for the Staten Island Memorial Day Parade, and Miss USIVO Laren Encarnacion was officiated into duty.

The beauty of tonight's awards was matched by the fun of the entertainment and good company.  Staten Island loves its social life.  My friends in the area attend galas almost nightly.  Before you go writing them off as party animals, take note that every night out is a celebration of a cause, organization, etc. As we toil through the difficulties of school, work, bills, family...we could all use more celebration.  Sometimes we fail to even recognize our own accomplishments as they become clouded by to-do's and workloads.  Communities that come together regularly in this way generate safer environments from bullying and harassment by creating a sense of inclusion.  Now that's something worth celebrating.

Oh, and look who I found!  Miss Richmond County 2012 Stephanie Accardo!  She looks lovely, eh?  Always a pleasure to catch up with the girls.

Ave Maria Catholic Academy

Today I was back to see my friends at Ave Maria Catholic Academy (you may remember them as the winners of our OUTREACH competition this year!)  I kicked off another BOSS Student Business Competition series!  Nearly 500 students got started creating team product designs for NIKE shoes, and we will be back to pick a winner soon.  Best of luck everyone!

Miss New York Orientation

I can't believe that it has been a whole year already. It's been the longest year and yet a flash.  Today was Orientation Workshop for the Miss New York contestants. Been waiting for this one for a while!

We started with the usual - pageant details, schedules, wardrobe requirements, yada yada - and then dove into the fun information: First, that we are bringing back the Mr. New York Pageant!!  The ladies will be recruiting fine young gents to represent them in our favorite annual fundraiser!!  Swim trunks, baritone serenades, tuxedos...it'll all be there. Then came a curveball.  Ken Nelson, the Scholarship Director, called me to the front for what seemed to be the sole purpose of making me blush as he explained his pride in what I had accomplished this year.  Stating that there were no material objects the Board of Directors could offer that I needed (I would argue that a rent check would do, but I see his point,) the words that followed brought my hands shooting up to cover my gaping mouth: the Miss New York Organization has created a anti-bullying scholarship in my name.  Cue the water works. I am overwhelmed, humbled, and borderline in shock over this. Every year I will return to select a student from New York who has made an exceptional difference in the field of anti-bullying, able to honor them onstage and award them a scholarship to pursue their education. What can I even say?  I've wanted nothing more than to make a difference this year in the lives of others. To think that impact will be an annual thing trumps all the material wealth I could have imagined. Toss this one up on the list of reasons why I am so wildly indebted to this organization.

Now came an exciting announcement on my end.  This year, Project Empower has been the vehicle for my passion and impact.  It earned me a Quality of Life nomination, got me hands-on with thousands of students, gave me leadership experience as a development strategist and organization leader, and helped me walk the walk when it came to impacting youth. Today I announced that Project Empower has set up a partnership opportunity for the next Miss New York. Pending her interest, we will be offering her the chance to become a leading figure and utilize the platform we have built in order to spread her message into schools state-wide. Best of all, this partnership is not just for Miss New York.  I am inviting all the local titleholders from across the state to become regional advocates. They are welcome to take our programs and use our team to reach schools in their area. My hope is to help women of this organization forever have a way to advocate and lead, as these are the two elements of this role that I find most important.

After the ladies strutted their stuff for a swimsuit work session (brave, right?) I got some one-on-one time with them. Sorry friends, but this girl talk was private! The ladies were incredibly quiet and left me worried (my worst fear is leaving them uninspired or dis-impassioned.)  But as they split off for talent run-through time I had nearly every contestant pull me aside for a private conversation. As if I couldn't be more touched by this day, I found myself having back-to-back conversations in stairwell corners about everything from fears to fiery passions, platform ideas to organizational overhauls, and all the many dreams and emotions in between that these ladies are bringing to their fight for this job.  New York, we are lucky. After every conversation I was thinking, "There she is!" Each so wildly different in what they want to bring to this title! That is what Miss New York is about; not daddy's credit card and expensive dresses, but the opportunity to share the depths of ones impact through a one year job. Thank you to all of this year's titleholders who are seeking this for what you can offer the title, rather than what the title can offer you.

Just like last year, I have basically no pictures from the day.  There was far too much to focus on.  The clock is ticking now. Excuse me while I go pretend that this is never going to end.

Partnering with 'End To Cyberbullying'

It's the start of something great!!  End to Cyber Bullying Organization is an internationally recognized program founded by the below team of Long Island high school students. Yup, international! Pretty impressive group, eh? We will be working together to further our joint mission of providing education and prevention related to online harassment.  Follow them on twitter for tons of useful facts and tips every day on how to prevent cyber bullying!

Dancing With the Stars in California

Well hello, west coast. I've been in Hollywood, California this week for a reunion with my Miss America sisters! Noelle Freeman, Miss California, invited as many girls as she could fit in a van for a family vacation in Hollywood.

Joining on the trip was Miss Arizona Jennifer Sedler, Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson, Miss Washington Brittany Henry, Miss North Carolina Haley Best and Miss Mississippi Mary Margaret Roark.

The featured event was visiting Dancing With the Stars! Mark Ballas invited us to join him and the cast during Rock Week. We chilled with the cast at House of Blues, Executive Chef Francis Dimitrius treated us to a custom lunch at Villa Blanca, received a private tour of The Magic Castle, scarfed down Sprinkles cupcakes, saw the sights, visited the beaches and even went to...wait for it...Disneyland (hope you sang it as you read it) where Noelle booked us a reservation at the exclusive Club 33. Add countless hours of girl talk you've got yourself a dandy vacation.

Hey, we even made the paper!  While this trip was arranged for our personal reasons, being together meant we were representing our state titles and the Miss America Organization the entire week. Just because I don't have my sash on does not mean I'm no longer Miss New York.


The point is that the public needs to see the moments outside of the platforms and crowns: We still eat cupcakes and climb into kiddie rides. We still get nervous when you take our picture. We still turn to one another sheepishly on the way out the door to ask if we look alright.  We're still discovering ourselves and navigating friendships. But we are friends based deeply in respect for one another's commitment to self and community. That's the stuff of sisters. So go find your Miss America sisters; women who inspire and push you to be better, and refuse to see you do anything less than smile along the way. You don't need a crown to be that for someone.

Miss Long Island

The season finale is here!!  Tonight I played producer at the Miss Long Island Metropolis Pageant where 3 women will win the final spots in the Miss New York class of 2012.  In his first year as a director, Matthew Ambrisio brought together an all-star set of contestants and sponsors that made today quite a red carpet event. Sponsors included CoverFX foundation, whose products I utilized at Miss America.

The competition was fierce. Rightfully so, considering this is the last shot to earn a title for 2012. Finally the results came...

Congratulations to Miss Southern New York 2012, Miss Long Island Metropolis 2012 and Miss Westchester 2012...Mikhaila Leinbach, Daphaney Jacquitte and Katie Guevarra!!!

Best of luck to the ladies in their year ahead!  All three women will represent their platforms and soon join me on the Miss New York stage.

It's done. The new Miss New York is somewhere in our Class of 2012.  Think you know who?  We shall see!

Speaker for Brockport's "Keep The Peace" Day

Students in Brockport, NY took half a day to come together in honor of something they wanted so badly to bring alive in their school: peace. I joined as a guest speaker for Brockport High School's "Peace Day" assembly. This event was created and run by students. The effect of anti-bullying events becomes wildly potent when they are developed from the eyes of those who live within the issue. 

I presented to two assemblies alongside Keith Jones of Soul Touchin' Experiences.  The day also included group activities and games which brought students together through discovering one another in new ways. After the events, Keith and I joined the Keep The Peace Committee - organized by and entirely comprised of students - as they shared advise with students from a neighboring school on how to organize an anti-bullying/peace program.

It was a day of trying new things. A day of walking in someone else's shoes (or crown.)  Keith spoke about focusing on what people can do rather than what they cannot. My sister's lack of ability to communicate through written language has made her a gifted artist, able to communicate powerfully through images. We are all more than what can be seen.  

More impressive was the conversation held after the day was done. The students' advice to their neighboring school's peers was nearly verbatim the lessons I've learned launching Project Empower. At this point I was watching proof of my theory that leadership is a muscle that meerly needs to be engaged and grown like any other. Standing around me were young adults - many soon to graduate - already discovering their potential to impact. On my walk home every day I read a quote on a wall, saying, "The world was not built in a day, but rather is built every single day."  There is nothing more exciting than the realization that you are now participating in the ongoing construction of a thing we no longer have to accept as-is.  It can be improved, changed and grown. Congratulations to all those who act upon their potential to make an impact. It is never too early.

West Valley Central School

Great day at West Valley Central School discussing bullying!  I met with 3-5th graders to talk about how to become a leader and write a positive life story, then sat down with the 8th grade ladies for some girl time.

During my talk with the girls we spent time discussing friendship, fitting in, handling negativity and, of course, rumors. Telling lies about someone can certainly bring that person down, but does nothing to move the rumor-initiator upward.  We are often tempted in our youth to damage or bring down someone else in order to make them the "weird" one, therefore allocating ourselves as the "normal" or "right" alternative.  The failure in this is that there is no such thing as "right," only endless difference.  A rumor is also easy to spread but difficult to undo, which we learned once in an episode of The Office...ah, but I digress.  The point is that there is no point to rumors. They accomplish nothing except pain for the victim.  Just remember: no one can talk behind your back unless you are ahead of them.

Calkins Road Middle School

Thank you to students and staff at Calkins Road Middle School for letting me speak with you about bullying and positive choices!  Located in my home town of Pittsford, Calkins is the new middle school where many of my former teachers are now working.

Today we focused on the difference between bullying and leadership.  If bullying is gaining power through negative choices, then the opposite of that - power through positive choices - is leadership.  We discussed ways that students could take on leadership among their peers, including standing up for each other.

Funny story: The older gentleman (and by that, I merely mean non-student) pictured with me earlier in the blog is Principal Reinhart, formerly Assistant Principal at my old school. He has a longstanding tradition of doing a cameo in the school musical.  During my 8th grade year I was playing Winifred in 'Once Upon a Mattress'.  In my initial entrance I was coming out of the castle moat, so each night my dress would soak in a tub and I would hop into it right before my entrance.  A water bottle was poured in my mouth so I could comically spew it across the stage.  Each night, Mr. Reinhart would enter as the "castle janitor" and mop the water up as audience chuckled to see him dressed in medieval garb. No lines, no dance moves, just his presence got them laughing. One night, as he finished wiping the spit-water and went to exit, I grabbed my dress...and wrang it out onto the floor.  Mr. Reinhart turned at the sound of the splash and, upon seeing the newly made puddle, looked quickly at the awaiting audience and then at me.  "You missed a spot," I said with a cocky grin.  The audience roared, as they were all parents and students who knew Mr. Reinhart well.  He gave me a you-little-punk look and shuffled back over to wipe it.  Ever the class clown, I stepped over stage left and gave my dress another wring.  We soon had an act that brought the show to a stand-still as I squeezed my dress for every drop I could as we all laughed.  I guess the moral here is to seize the moment, and never be afraid to go off-script and do a little improv in life.

Dansville School

Thank you to students at Dansville School for a powerful assembly about bullying and leadership! I spoke with students about the impact they can make by taking control of their lives and choices, and how students are already changing our state through the new legislation.

Prior to the assembly, I sat down with the student council to hear about their anti-bullying campaign already underway throughout the school. I was given a "Stop The Hate, Spread The Hope" shirt designed by one of the students. This is a wildly ambitious group!

Dansville administrators showed me their online student concern form, explaining that this allows all students to safely report any problems their experience. Students can even report how it affected their feelings or any behavioral changes they've had in response. Eliminating the word "bullying" from behavior reporting systems brings in higher report rates, which puts Dansville on the cutting edge of digital safety.

Check it! Big thank you to my beautiful new friend who gave me these gorgeous custom bracelets!!  Something about this makes me know that students in Dansville feel safe to share their unique selves. So glad  to be part of this family.