For the Last Time

In just under two weeks I will be taking the stage for the last time at Miss New York in Staten Island. Whoa. That’s mind-boggling even to type.

As I reach a new and bright point in my life, I wanted to reflect a little on my journey these past years in the Miss America Organization, because no matter what happens on that stage, I am tremendously thankful for what this organization and all the people involved with it have taught me.

For the last time, I will be spending a week with 20+ other young women with whom I can truly say are some of the brightest, wittiest, intelligent, and well-spoken young women I have ever met. Sure, we keep in touch outside of Miss New York week, but the week with these women, bonding over everything from politics to music, platforms to education, is truly life-changing.

For the last time, I will be able to compete for the opportunity to promote my platform at the state and possibly national level. Helping Students Thrive and equal educational opportunities has been a passion of mine for years, but this is the last time I have the ability to possibly earn the honor of being Miss New York and making NYS the second in history to have state titleholder with an LGBT-based platform.

For the last time, I will be gluing a swimsuit to my butt and walking on stage in high heels wearing less than what many women wear to the beach. I have worked my glued-butt off to be in the shape I am in. Weight and body issues have always been something I have struggled with, but through the Miss America Organization, I have grown so determined to live a healthy lifestyle and fitness level.

For the last time, I will be looking out into the crowd at my fiance’, knowing that no matter how hectic, time-consuming, and sometimes expensive pageants can be, that he 100% has my back in this journey. Heck, even if I decide to compete later on in life, chances are I’ll be Mrs. Waszkiewicz by then! [I’ve already ordered my wedding gown!!]

For the last time, I will be competing for the title of Miss New York- a feat that 10 years ago hadn’t even entered my mind, 7 years ago was a dream,and these past 2 years has been something I will never forget.

I have come so far through my years in pageantry, grown so much, and discovered so many things about myself, my goals, and my beliefs.
So, I have a question for you: Can you help me out one last time? I would love to compete during the final night of the Miss New York competition. Two nights of preliminary competitions determine the top 10 placements, who move on to Sunday’s finale, but there’s an 11th spot that isn’t based on your scoring. People’s Choice is based on family and friend support. The contestant with the most votes is guaranteed a spot during the final night of competition.

Vote here!

Will you help me one last time with a vote? You can vote as many times as you would like, and for each and every vote I am exponentially thankful.
Voting: http://missny.org/2016-1-pc/

Warm Regards,

Miss Upstate New York Farewell Speech

Hi Everyone,

Since I know many of you will not be able to attend the pageant tonight- here’s looking at you Mom and Dad. I wanted to post my farewell speech. 🙂

Next Chapter

Hi Everyone!

This year has flown by quicker than I could have ever imagined. In just 2 and a half weeks I will be passing on my sparkly crown to a new sister in the Miss Upstate New York family. I’m quite sad, to be honest. I truly enjoyed acting as Miss Upstate New York this past year.

I was honored with the opportunity to travel all across the state promoting my platform Helping Students Thrive: It’s EASY. I got to speak in many different schools, participate in and attend various fundraisers, and be Upstate NY’s Representative at Miss New York. I walked in a fashion show for the first time, was interviewed at the State Capitol, received a Women of Distinction Award, and rode in quite a few parades. I started working with a new voice coach, who boosted my confidence in my talent ten-fold, and learned the art of the red lip.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

But honestly, that’s only one part of the story. Outside of the appearances and glitter, I was also working on myself. Throughout this past year, I left a job I felt unfulfilled in, started a new career at Utica College, became happily engaged, and adopted a fur-baby. My only sister got married, and gave me my first niece. I fought for what I believe in and stood up for myself against some terrible experiences. I started writing poetry again and began to write short opinion pieces for another website. I joined a new gym to help me learn to love my whole self again.

This past year has been life-changing–and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds.

In 2 1/2 weeks I am giving up my title as Miss Upstate New York, but this is my last year eligible for Miss New York so you best believe I am giving it one more go!

In 4 weeks I will be competing for the title of Miss Copper City, a brand new local based in Rome, NY. I will be giving it my all and am so thrilled to have this amazing opportunity of being a titleholder in the Miss America Organization one last time. I’m not sure what this year will entail, but I am always looking toward the future.

Please consider supporting my endeavors of being your first ever Miss Copper City by donating to my Miss America for Kids fundraising page. Your tax deductible donation goes to help sick and injured children, as well as contributing to the world’s largest scholarship provider of young women.

Please consider making a donation here.

Warm Regards,

October is in the Air: Part 1

For anyone who has followed me for more than this past year, you could probably guess why October is so special to me. It seems as though several of my passions and causes all come together in this special month. This blog post is focused on Domestic Violence Awareness and my plans for this month to help combat interpersonal violence.

Miss Spirit of New York

When Opportunity Knocks…

It’s no surprise to some that I ended up working here at Utica College, but for others, it may seem totally out of the blue. I am so thrilled to be able to speak about why this opportunity means so much to me and why when opportunity knocked I had to answer.

Miss New York 2015 Recap

What a time I have had these past few weeks!

Those close to me have known that after an abrupt and unexpected job search, I ended up interviewing and accepting a new position at Utica College just a few weeks before heading down to Staten Island!  More on why I chose UC in a later post!

Fearfully Wonderfully and Beautifully Made: Alisa Vasquez

Who, you may ask, is this beautiful young woman? Meet Alisa Vasquez, also known as Miss Upstate New York’s Outstanding Teen 2015. My “little sister” this year is such an inspiration for teens across New York. This post is all about Alisa and the amazing young woman she is! A student at Washingtonville High School, Alisa is a 17 year old with a passion for all four points to the crown. A scholar athlete, Miss Upstate New York’s Outstanding teen is a gymnast, track star, National Honor Society member, and is on her school’s High Honor Roll.

Drag Performers, Politicians, and Parades

This past week has been packed full of some pretty green great adventures including seeing two new young women join the Miss New York 2015 Class, attending a Gay Soiree, running the Miss Mohawk Valley 2015 contestant workshop, going gown shopping for Miss New York, connecting with TWO possible gown sponsors, speaking in nine different classes at an elementary school, participating in a St. Paddy’s Day Parade, volunteering at an Irish Festival, meeting new people from across Upstate New York, and welcoming in another three ladies into the Miss New York 2015 class. PHEW! That’s a lot!! Hope this isn’t too long of a post for you to read! 🙂

Whirlwind of a Week!

Hey Folks!

I have had such an amazing and stressful and crazy week! I hope this post isn’t too long and filled with tangents, but I have had a blast!

On a personal health level, my week has been hectic. Sunday night I had a dental emergency which led to me having to take the day off work Monday, have an emergency dental appointment, see a specialist, and schedule periodontal surgery. Not fun. Not fun at all.

Luckily, everything else this week has been great! I have been working toward my physical fitness goals thanks to Christina Phillips, my Beachbody Coach. I have had a few volunteer appearances, been finalizing plans for platform appearances, as well as setting up new events. I have been contacted by and have reached out to numerous news outlets about interviews. My Miss New York preparation has been underway, including talent rehearsals, headshots, gown fittings, shopping for other wardrobe pieces and more! I have also made a conscious effort to educate myself further on my personal platform, developing new workshops, gathering new materials, and compiling resources for others. More on all of this in a bit, but first, I wanted to highlight some other things that have been happening: