Western New England: Thank you

Tuesday, October 19th 2010

Today at school I met with my favorite Professor and great friend, Brenda Garton, along with another one of my other great Professors, Brian Zelasko, to go shopping at the Western New England College bookstore to get some new WNEC attire! I really cannot speak more highly of my college. Those who I have met there and the skills I have learned in such a short period of time have helped me to become who I am today. The opportunities I have received and continue to receive are innumerable and have made such a huge impact on my life. I truly appreciate the constant support, especially now on my journey as Miss Connecticut. Professor Garton and her family, along with the president of my school, Dr. Caprio are even coming to support me at Miss America in Las Vegas!! Isn't that amazing!?

Next Tuesday (October 26th) I will have a presentation at my school at 4:30 to speak about my platform and share my videos that I have created in Cambodia and Haiti. It will be also be a celebration for Miss America. Everyone is welcome- on and off campus! Come see my beautiful school!

Western New England College, thank you for all that you do.

Interview Channel 22 News

This morning I had an interview with WWLP Channel 22 News in Chicopee, MA to talk about my trips to Haiti... I was an intern at this station last semester. It was great to talk about my experience and to see everyone again!

NBC Health and Wellness Fair

Sunday, October 17th 2010

Today Logan and I went to the NBC health and Wellness Fair at the Hartford Convention Center. From 12-2:00 we did a Meet & Greet signing autographs with the news anchors. Then we were able to walk around and see all of the exhibits.. I even got a massage! At 3:00 I was a contestant in the Minute to Win It competition! There were three different tasks to choose from... one person had to try to stack five apples in the minute, two others had to pull out two tissue boxes worth of tissues in the minute, and I got the best task of all (HAHA!)... I had to put vaseline on my nose and pick up as many cotton balls as I could, run across the room in my 5-inch heels and drop the cotton balls into a bowl. In order to get them off my nose I had to shake my head rapidly (and remind you, I had my crown on!). .. Honestly it must have been a very funny sight to watch! I'm always up for a fun competition!

Colonials Game/ Pumpkin Festival/ Jocks VS Cops!

Saturday, October 16th, 2010
Today was a very busy day, with three appearances one right after the other.
First I went to the Hartford Colonials Game! Again, I had such a great time! I celebrated before the game at "Fan-Fest" and I even got to hand off the game ball this time! Despite the cold, it was a great day for a football game!

My next stop was the Pumpkin Festival in Forestville. The children paraded down the street in costume and a line of dogs in costume followed along too! There were so many creative pumpkin designs made by a wide range of age groups and different companies in the area. It was a great time to socialize with people that I knew from town and also to meet many new friends! I love the fall season!






And finally my evening ended with the Jocks VS Cops game at Muzzy Field in Bristol. ESPN played against the Bristol Police Department in an intense game of flag football to raise money for the Bristol Boys and Girls Club- an organization I have been close to since a very young age. Before the game I played a little football of my own with Allen. There was a band for entertainment prior to the game and a wonderful band called Amely for the halftime show. The Bristol Eastern cheerleaders were there to cheer on the Jocks and the Bristol Central Cheerleaders supported the cops. I sang the anthem before the game. What an exciting event, and for such a great cause!!

Skookum Award for Excellence

Friday, October 15, 2010

This evening I had an awards dinner at school. It was called the Skookum Award for Excellence. In order to get this award a student had to first be nominated by a professor or faculty member. Then, there were two interviews following to narrow down the candidates. Fifteen senior receive this prestigious award, and I felt honored to be one of the participants! I was able to enjoy a nice dinner with my parents, grandmother, Professor Brenda Garton, and department chair Professor Battema at my table. It was truly a nice evening!

Speaking at Sound School/ Delivering flowers and a Smile :)

Thursday, October 14, 2010


Today I met Marla at her house and we headed to Sound School, where Donna Prete teaches in New Haven. There, I was able to speak to three high school classes of Juniors and Seniors, about myself and my platform “One World: Hope for All Children.” I shared through a PowerPoint and my video creations this inspiring message I have shared with children in Connecticut and America and with children abroad in Cambodia and Haiti. I love sharing stories of what I am so passionate about.




After the school, Marla and I went to her home to prepare a bit for interview and to look over my paperwork.






This evening I was in the mood to make someone smile. At the football game this past Friday, I saw one of my favorite little girls, Brooke Lowe, that I had met about five years ago while having her sing with me at a Christmas event. I had stayed friends with her and her family since then; Brooke is now in the 4th grade. Brooke’s mom sent me a message the next day saying that after the football game Brooke had went to the children’s hospital that night. On her way home, she told her parents that the only thing that would make her feel better is seeing me again. Brooke has been diagnosed with OTC deficiency. (OTC) Ornithine Transcarbamalase, is a life threatening illness in which there is no cure. OTC is a urea cycle disorder in which the the body lacks an enzyme responsible for removing ammonia, a highly toxic substance from the bloodstream. Ammonia can cause damage and or death. Lately, Brooke has been very sick. So tonight I picked up three bouquets of flowers, for Brooke and her two sisters , Zoe and Lilly, and surprised them at their home. They were all beyond excited! I stayed there for a while the girls showed me how to tap dance, play the clarinet, and talk for a while. Brooke showed me on the computer that she was just looking at pictures of me on the computer. Not only did it make their night, but it truly made my whole week. The smallest gestures can mean so much.

Musante Shoes/ Grossman's Seafood/ Dining with Stan and Luis

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Today I met Gail in New London to go to a few places. Our first stop was to meet Mallory Musante. Mallory contacted me because she is a new designer of a beautiful line of shoes. She hand-crafts these shoes. She gave me a pair to wear and share with people that I meet to help get her designs known to the public. They are very unique and beautiful! Her website is: http://mallorymusanteshoes.com/blog/... If you’re interested in a pair of Mallory’s shoes, let me know! She is very hard-working, talented and she is a very genuine person...















Our next stop was to visit our friends at Grossman’s Seafood! I had promised Thomas that I would come visit and sign a picture that we had taken during the Operation Lobster Dinner. It was so great to see Sean, Thomas, and the rest of the crew! Grossman’s Seafood even made a donation for me toward my charities and Miss America. Thank you for your constant support! I know that I will remain great friends with everyone at Grossmans!
For general knowledge, Grossman’s is beginning to cater events- please contact them if you want delicious Seafood!





Before heading home, Gail and I had the pleasure of going to dinner with Stan and Luis! As usual, we enjoyed each other’s company. It was a full day of visiting many great friends- both old and new.

Atlantic City: Miss CT bus trip!

Sunday, October 10, 2010









Bright and early this morning I met in New Haven to catch the bus for a Miss Connecticut fundraiser to Atlantic City. It was great to visit the original home of the Miss America pageant again. We walked the boardwalk, enjoyed the casinos, and had lunch with many of my closest friends from the Miss Connecticut Organization!