Cycle of Life the benefit Reach for the STARS Survivorship Program

From Cycle of Life to benefit Reach for the STARS Survivorship Program

Yesterday I had the honor of attending the Cycle of Life benefit in Hartford. The event was open to survivors of childhood cancer and their friends and families. The theme of the event was healthy eating and exercise and there were different games to help kids make healthy choices, which is important for anyone but definitely cancer survivors. Each child who was a survivor got a tee-shirt with stars on the back, signifying the number of years they have been surviving since their first diagnosis of cancer. These kids are so strong! From now on, whenever I am in pain, uncomfortable, sick, or miserable, I am going to think of how strong these kids are! They are way tougher then I could ever be.

From Cycle of Life to benefit Reach for the STARS Survivorship Program

One of my favorite responsibilities when it comes to my platform, Serving Americans in Uniform and Public Service, is when I get to work with my favorite non-profit, the USO. They held a private screening of the movie "UP" in 3-D for military families in Connecticut and in particular the Hartford area on May 30.

From USO private showing of "UP" for Military Families

From USO private showing of "UP" for Military Families

From USO private showing of "UP" for Military Families

Hamden Memorial Day Parade

On May 24, I got to ride in the Hamden Memorial Day Parade in the back of a truck! Now that's the only way to ride!

From Hamden Memorial Day Parade

St. Jude's Children's Hospital Annual Variety Show

From St. Jude's Children's Hospital Annual Variety Show

On May 2, I attended a variety show at East Haven High School in East Haven, Connecticut. All proceeds went to benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospitals.

Fashion Show for Whitney Manor

From Whitney Manor Fashion Show

I participated in a fashion show for Whitney Manor on April 30. I always wanted to be a model when I was little so I got to live out a little bit of a dream! A big thank you to the Dress Barn in Hamden for supplying all of our outfits! I also sang the national anthem.

Pageant School!

From Pageant School

April 25 was the second annual Pageant School, hosted by the Miss Connecticut board. The day was full of great advice and it was fun to see all of the girls together again, misses and teens alike. Poor Candace Dodge, Miss Greater Hamden, ended up sitting in gum! But in general the day was very successful.

From Pageant School

Curry Lunch Fundraiser for British Veterans in Darien

From Curry Lunch Fundraiser for British Veterans

I helped out at another curry lunch fundraiser to benefit British veterans at Coromandel in Darien on April 19. The restaurant was absolutely amazing and I recommend that if you are looking for some good Indian food you check out Coromandel in Darien (I believe they also have additional locations across southern Connecticut). In this picture you can see another helper (and future Miss Outstanding Teen in my opinion) Felicity, with raffle tickets.

MACR Convention

On April 17, I spoke at the MACR (Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans) Convention at Mount Holyoke College, MA. We had many special guests who currently serve in local and state office. The general theme of the convention was encouraging young people to get involved in running for office. I am a strong believer in getting more young people elected, and everyone that attended the convention is well on their way!

From MACR Convention

Children's Miracle Network Debrief and Tour

On April 11, I had the privilege of attending an info session on the Children's Miracle Network (CMN), the official platform of Miss America, as well as go on a tour of the only children's hospital in Connecticut, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, in Hartford. It was an amazing experience. I'll admit I knew very little about CMN or the children's hospital before we spent the day there. We got a tour from Scott, our official contact, of the entire hospital. What a wonderful place! It is completely kid-oriented, right down to the way the filter the air in the hospital (it is filtered extra during the day to take out that "hospital smell"). Everything in the hospital is arranged to make sure kids are comfortable and as pain-free and stress-free as they can possibly be.
Children's hospitals have saved me and my two brothers numerous times, and I owe them my life. Without CMN, these hospitals would cease to exist.
Please remember that you can make a donation to CMN on my website. I have a goal to raise $500 for the state pageant, and every little bit helps!
Link to my CMN fundraising website: http://www.missamerica4kids.org/m.aspx?i=11362267D8A88DA79

From Children's Miracle Network Debrief and Tour

Curry Lunch Fundraiser for British Veterans

From Curry Lunch Benefit for British Veterans

On April 4 I helped out at a curry lunch fundraiser for British military veterans at the Redding Roadhouse in Redding Connecticut. There was even a bagpiper! In this picture, you can see me and my little helper calling out the raffle tickets.

Miss Nutmeg/Miss Constitution/Miss Mountain Laurel

Congratulations to our new winners! On March 29, the last pageant of the season, we crowned... Miss Nutmeg: Christina Sciongay, Miss Constitution: Sharalynn Kuziak, Miss Mountain Laurel: Corrina Pysa. We also had a trunk show by our official wardrobe sponsor, The Crowning Touch, and we were fitted for our matching white swimsuits for the state competition.

From Miss Nutmeg/Constitution