Miss Mohawk Valley

Today I emceed the Miss Mohawk Valley 2012 competition in Utica, NY.  Run by Laura Jean Britton, the Miss New York Organization Volunteer of the Year, this pageant consistently packs the house with community members eager to meet their new queen.

Prior to the competition I spent the day with Lynn Tryon, the outgoing Miss Mohawk Valley and one of the funniest girls I've met in competition, participating in the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade and a Family Fun Day autograph signing.

Utica really came out to show their spirit.  I couldn't get over the energy all over town, which the unseasonably warm weather was surely instigating.  The streets were packed and children flooded the carnival with their parents in tow.  No matter how long I live in the big apple, it will never erase my passion for the community feel that Upstate provides.

Then came the competition.  When I arrived at rehearsal I saw many familiar faces of young women who had competed in other local competitions this year.  Win or lose, women return to this system because of the growth they undergo in their preparation and competition process.

And the winner is...

Please welcome Miss Mohawk Valley 2012...Courtney Sheridan!!

Courtney will be with us this summer to compete for the chance of becoming Miss New York, but will more importantly be spending the year serving the Utica area with her platform.  She has a wonderful organization supporting her and I cannot wait to see all the she accomplishes!  Congratulations to all the contestants, it was an honor to join you on stage and I am completely moved by your dedication to yourselves. 

By the end of the competition I felt like I had been there for ages, and in the good way.  The show is set up in a way that truly gets the audience close to the women onstage.  It's like reading a great book; you feel as if you've known the characters forever by the time the story ends.  Thank you to the Miss Mohawk Valley Organization for such hospitality and for letting me be part of this incredible day of celebration!!

And thus another upstate New York'er joined the ranks of sisterhood.