Project Empower Regional Non-Profit Competition!

Today was the first-ever Project Empower Student Non-Profit Regional Competition! Twelve teams of middle school students from across the New York City area presented their own non-profit initiatives at today's finals for the chance to win a one year partnership with Project Empower. The event was held in Manhattan and I had the honor of hosting.

Over 1,200 students participated in our local competitions this fall. Middle schools throughout NYC tasked students with identifying a need in their community, authoring an essay on what they see as a strong solution, and then implementing their plan within the community over the course of four weeks. We had university students serve as coaches for the teams and young professionals from multiple industries helped judge the final results at each school. The 64 students joining us today were the top projects from each school.

Project Empower is the non-profit that I and a group of young friends launched this fall. It aims to develop students for life beyond the classroom, increasing their awareness of opportunities and develop professional and personal skills through hands-on learning. It is what I wrote my Quality of Life application about for Miss America, earning me a spot as one of the eight finalists. This is a program built by and for young leaders that launched just four months ago. It took our blood, sweat, tears, vacation days, hours of lost sleep and more to make this happen...but we believe that students deserve more than to be taught how to pass tests.

We assembled a panel of global leaders to help judge today's competition. Our judges included our own Ashley Zambito (Project Empower, Executive Director of OUTREACH), Tobias Levkovich (Citigroup, Chief Equity Strategist), John Brown (UBS, Group Managing Director), John Collura (UBS, Chief Operating Officer), Anthony Filosa (Rosenberg Fotuna & Laitman LLP, Corporate Attorney) Keith Miller (Citigroup, Global Head of Quantitative Research), Jenny Delany (UBS, Senior Emerging Market Strategist), and Alan Fields (After School All Stars New York, Executive Director).

UBS Wealth Management kindly donated their Executive Board Room for today's event. We made sure to treat the students like stars and provide them the same experience that a corporate sales executive would receive when visiting for a presentation. Many of the schools did the same, providing students with fresh uniforms or even suits to help them feel their best for the big event. Our coaches taught them about presentation skills, using media and working as a team to present their work.

Here's a little bit about the teams we met today:

Nickles for a Cause raised money by collecting and recycling used cans and used that money to purchase toys and supplies for local children's shelters and day cares. The Peace Makersdeveloped a campaign to end animal cruelty in their neighborhood. They hand drew posters of adoptable pets in local shelters and distributed them to community members. Pick It Up was an environmental awareness project that engaged local students in community clean-up efforts after school. Peacemakers fought bullying by creating a school-wide pledge, holding a poster competition and organized visits from notable public speakers to their school to discuss forgiveness and peace. Santa's Helpers collected hundreds of toys and hand delivered them to children in local hospitals, organizing collections and visits by themselves. Community Outreach Program was an project to create after school activities that keep students from getting involved in gangs. Their programs ranged from sports teams to dance classes. Life Savers raised awareness and funds for Susan G Komen to help fight breast cancer by selling hand-made pink ribbon chocolate candies to their peers. Women's Prison Associationcollected toys for children with incarcerated mothers. Helping Heroes collected supplies to send to soldiers overseas, packaging them in shoe boxes and raising funds to ship them directly to the camp where a local community member was serving.

We heard fundraising ideas that ranged from community recycling for change to selling dress-down days at their school. Each team utilized their peers, teachers, parents, community members...they each became part of their community's social fabric.

The winning team was an 8th grade group, Helping Heroes! They have won a one year partnership with Project Empower where they will receive a specialized team to support them in growing and developing, as well as use of all our resources as an organization. Helping Heroes students collected toiletry supplies and built care packages out of shoe boxes. They shipped over 40 packages to a military unit overseas where a local soldier was currently stationed. Helping Heroes demonstrated excellence in resourcefulness, creativity, fundraising, scale, presentation and passion. They documented their work and the video left the room in tears.

Now don't get me wrong...we are not taking over for them; they will be our boss and we will provide every inch of support, knowledge and advice we have as they navigate their project to its maximum impact over the course of a year. If they want a professional branding team, we will get them a meeting with ours. If they want a press release, we'll get our PR rep on it. If they want to ask a global bank for funding, we'll get the meeting. While the outward goal is to create a self-sufficient model that can be passed on to their community and remain for years to come, our internal goal is to teach these students confidence and expose them to professional opportunities that will push them to grow. By the end of this year these students will feel as comfortable in a corporate board room as they do in their own living room. We will provide them with nothing but our utmost respect and support. They are our peers.

So, congratulations to every single student from today's competition! I am in awe of your creativity, fearlessness and energy. Your communities have benefitted, and will continue to do so as you keep growing your initiatives. I hope you now see the ease with which you can impact your neighborhood. You are helping us prove just how powerful young people can be. Age is not the factor that determines someones ability to impact the world around them. Power comes from passion. We aim to help students discover and ignite their passion.

These students have joined our ranks. We are young leaders passionate about our world. We are Project Empower.

"Click, Comment, Create Change" Tour Part II

After my morning at St. Francis I hopped a train to the Bronx where I joined Senator Klein to visit schools and discuss our cyberbullying bill. Speaking with students at three schools, we discussed how students will play a unique role in this legislation through the New York Cyberbully Census.

Our major focus was on how young people need to get involved in order to create change with cyberbullying. Adults who did not grow up with digital communication do not have the experience nor understanding of this issue the way young people do. I spoke with a criminal justice class of seniors and explained why young voices are key in pushing this legislation. It used to be that parents put the computer or TV in the living room so they could monitor what their children were exposed to. Today, with nearly half of elementary school students toting cell phones, kids have access to any media content at any time. When reality show casts treat each other like dirt but call each other friends, how is a child supposed to know that such behavior is not normal? Where are they finding positive behavioral models? Today's young adults are the ones who understand digital media, and therefore the strongest soldiers in this war.

St. Francis of Asissi

Thank you to my new friends at St. Francis of Assisi for two great seminars on anti-bullying and leadership, and for a chance to stop by classrooms to chat!

In both conversations I was asked why telling an adult about a bullying situation is different from tattling on someone. Easy! You tattle when you want to get someone INTO trouble, you tell when you want to get someone OUT of trouble. We discussed how telling an adult helps everyone involved. The person being targeted gets protection and support, and the person doing the bullying gets help in stopping their behavior before it become any more harmful. Often, this will also give them a chance to discuss their feelings and fix the real problem at hand.

It was a message even the little ones could agree upon.

Miss Fulton County

This weekend I joined the Miss Fulton County Scholarship Organization for the selection of its fortieth annual titleholder. The contest, held in Gloversville, NY, provided nearly $10,000 in scholarship opportunity and was viewed by a sold-out crowd of community supporters.

I spent the rehearsal day as well as morning interviews with the contestants. You know how people always ask if pageant girls are catty? Well, behold the most perfect answer to said question:

First, having been on the road for over a week, I had run out of clothes and had nothing to wear! I had mentioned this at rehearsal and when I arrived backstage for the show I found dozens of dresses in my dressing room. My confusion melted into a warm glow as I realized what had happened; contestants and the current Miss Fulton County, Kieren Sheridan, had brought me options from their own closets. After a few safety pins and some finagling, the incredible dressing room crew helped me work out a custom wardrobe entirely sponsored by the ladies! This silent act of sisterhood was topped when in the middle of the show, as girls rushed into their talent costumes, one contestant's talent dress tore open at the zipper. The entire back was split and she was minutes away from performing. Within five minutes someone had put her in one of their extra dresses and she was onstage like a rock star. And therein lies stunning proof of the caliber of women involved in this organization.

After a beautiful show the results finally came. And the winner is...

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Miss Fulton County 2012...Colleen Gagne!!!!

Colleen will be joining us this summer for the opportunity to take over my role, and will spend the coming year serving her local community as an ambassador for the organization. Congratulations and all the best to Colleen in her year ahead!

Congratulations and thank you to all the women of this weekend's pageant. You made my visit incredible! Thank you also to the Miss Fulton County Organization and all of its volunteers for the support you give to these young ladies! I had an absolute blast!

Meet Colleen and all our 2012 Local Titleholders.

Meeting with Senator Ritchie

For my last official stop in Watertown, I sat down with State Senator Patty Ritchie to answer questions about bullying. Citizens throughout Watertown sent in their questions to Senator Ritchie's Facebook page related to bullying, victimization, the role of parents and more.

My responses were transcribed, you can read my answers here! Forgive the grammar; I talk fast and can only imagine how difficult it was for someone to transcribe my words over speaker phone.

I have to congratulate her for keeping you voters involved in her work. It is so important that lawmakers listen to the will of the people. Her social media presence is incredibly impressive, particularly in the way she uses it almost daily to get the community's feedback. The meeting had an exciting end: after our conversation, Senator Ritchie said she will be putting her support behind our cyberbullying bill! Thank you to the Senator for taking the time to meet with me and for becoming part of our efforts! As a woman with strong understanding of the positive power of digital media, I am glad to have her on board to help protect against its negative uses. It was such a pleasure and honor to meet her!

Case Middle School

Thank you to students at Case Middle School for a great conversation today about bullying!

This visit had a particularly special moment: I had talked to students about the many things I am doing to help this issue, particularly my work with Senator Klein on the cyberbullying laws. After the presentation I was greeting students and signing quick autographs when a young lady walked up to me. I turned to her and was struck right away by the way she was looking at me. She had my full attention. After introducing herself she calmy said, "I want to thank you. I was friends with Jamey." Without thinking I threw my arms around her. "You don't have to be doing this, but it means so much that someone is doing something," she said, tears welling in her eyes. I started to cry. She told me she was afraid everyone had forgotten. I assured her that there are people giving everything they have to make sure that never is the case. We hugged again and I gave her my information. It took a minute before I even realized there were other students in the room. My entire year of work just proved its worth in those moments. That she was comforted by my efforts made every minute worthwhile. I only pray that I can accomplish even more in the coming months in order to give this young woman, and every individual effected by the lethal nature of bullying, the assurance that the one they lost will never be forgotten.

My sister beats her bully.

I've shared the story of how my sister lost a college degree in its last semester because of a professor who bullied her for her dyslexia. The emotional damage of that man has haunted her for years. I can never forget how sick to my stomach I was when I heard that she had actually chosen to drop the major because of him. All she needed was one class, but even that was too much to take. He had broken her. For the past years we have been helping her put together the pieces again.

Today, she has triumphed. I am proud to report that she is now halfway through her masters degree in directing at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Today she made her directorial debut at The Globe Theater, directing King Lear. My family is in London and has reported that it was brilliant. I am not surprised, for she is incapable of anything less. While I will never get over not being able to be there, I am so thrilled and proud of her.

Virginia never let her disability stop her. Now, she has chosen not let this one man's ignorance stand in her way any longer. There is no day I could face that would amount to even half of what my sister handles from her disability every minute. Every time I face a challenge and feel afraid, I think of her and know that I can be strong just like she has been. She is my inspiration, my source of strength and motivation.

That picture? That's Virginia on the left and myself on the right. She happens to also be a gifted artist. These are huge charcoal on canvas works she did for my mother this year.

The moral of my sister's story is one we all must remember: the bully does not have to win.

I love you Gina, just as so many do. You have always been my Miss America. Brava.

Reading to Children at Benchmark

Up early, today I read stories to students at Benchmark Family Services in Watertown, NY. I sat down with little ones, ages 18 months to preschool, for a chance to meet and share some reading time. Benchmark is an Early Learning Center in Watertown that offers preschool, early intervention services, daycare and pediatric therapy.

Programs like this are special to me. First, I know how important they are to the families of children living with disabilities. More importantly, I know how important it is to integrate these students together. My brother never had a problem with his differences until he got separated from his "normal" peers, thus making him able to classify himself as "abnormal." He didn't like feeling different or that he was not worthy of other students' time. Also, growing up alongside a brother and sister with disabilities gave me a unique perspective, allowing me to see them as no more different than anyone else. At that at the end of the day they were still just kids. Sometimes you just had to listen harder or have patience. It's often hard to watch my peers - those who did not grow up around disabilities - try to figure out how to interact with someone who has differences. Benchmark is enabling all children to interact better, helping the community's future become stronger.

Thanks to all my new friends for sharing stories with me! A huge thank you to the staff at Benchmark for what you are bringing to the community.

My Return to Clarkson University

Today was a journey back to where it all began. Where my 16 year old self waved goodbye to my parents and hello to adulthood. I returned to my freshman stomping grounds at Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY.

Clarkson was the springboard for the life I have lead. The Clarkson School, a program that accepts students early out of high school and is neither a prep school nor starter program, accepted me during my sophomore year of high school. I submitted my grades, took the SAT's and did my interview. When they said yes I dropped out of high school and became a full fledged freshman. I didn't even have my night license.

I wanted something more. I was ready to be independent, to grow...so why not move on to college? Granted, this was no easy task. Clarkson in one of the top engineering schools in the country and thus no academic walk in the park. My work ethic exploded that year, not only because of classes but also because of the job I landed as assistant to the Head of Media Relations. Every day was a challenge, but I absolutely loved the push I was getting.

As my little brother, who is a Junior at Clarkson (he also went early out of his third year of high school,) drove me onto the campus I instantly wished I had come here before Miss America. A smile crept onto my face and didn't leave the entire time. I discovered the world here...Clarkson University is my Disneyland. I will think of it every time I sing my talent song. Clarkson's motto is Defy Convention. I strive to live by that every day.

So great to see my friends in the Media Dept, and a huge thank you to President Tony Collins for welcoming me back! Oh, and I might call you about the MBA thing...

National Anthem at Cheerleading Competition

Tonight I sang the National Anthem at the Frontier League Cheerleading Competition held at Indian River Middle School in Pittsburg, NY. Teams from schools across Northern New York showed their best work, including my new friends from Lyme and LaFargeville.

I was a cheerleader. For an hour. It's an odd story: I got asked to join the team by a friend in my college dance class. He said that my small frame would make me a good flyer. Oblivious to what that meant, I joined the team for a practice. We started with the dance portion and I started to think that maybe I could do this after all. Plus, we were the Spartans and our colors were red and gold (any Saturday Night Life fans out there?) We got to the cheer portion of practice and I was told to put my foot into someones hand. They shot me into the air and the following moments were a flurry of screams and panic. Once back on the ground I thanked them and promptly exited the gym. Two lessons learned: I have a violent fear of falling, and I am not cut out to be a cheerleader.

Tonight I got to enjoy the cheers from the safety of the viewing stands. Lyme even let me join in for some pre-show pumping up!

Tonight was particularly exciting since Lauren Wagenaar, one of our Miss Thousand Islands 2012 contestants, and Morgan Bocciolot, Miss Thousand Islands 2011, were both coaches! Their teams rocked, and congratulations to all the teams for incredible work!! Thanks for letting me take part!

Superintendent of Sackets Harbor to Talk Bullying

Sat down this afternoon with Fred Hall, Superintendent of Sackets Harbor Central School, and Jennifer Gaffney, Principal of Sackets Harbor High School, to talk about our shared passion for youth development programs. After telling him all about Project Empower and my work discussing bullying across the state, Fred shared details on the countless activities and groups his school has started to offer in order to engage students in character development.

From community anti-bullying campaigns by the Glee Club to community service raffles and events, Fred pushes students to develop their social and civic skills in addition to academics. This school even has students doing midnight video-chat tutoring with students in other countries. Learning to think of others and explore oneself at an early age helps make it second nature in adulthood. That's what we do at Project Empower, and that's what is happening at Sackets Harbor. Thank you to Fred and Jennifer for everything you bring to the lives of your students.

This week the students are celebrating some of their character achievements,

so I left behind a message to congratulate them.

Check out my video message to the students!

La Fargeville and Lyme Middle Schools

Great conversation today with LaFargeville and Lyme Middle Schools about bullying and leadership! After waiting in the wings during a quick viewing of my Miss America talent performance - which I was too excited to actually watch - I was escorted to the stage by a beautiful young woman and good friend Joelle, Miss Thousand Island's Star Princess, who, you will see below, sports the same glamorous crown case as I. Joelle showed off her public speaking skills and introduced me for what proved to be an incredibly interactive conversation.

One student asked what to do if someone blocks them into a corner in the bathroom or stands in your way and refuses to move. We talked about how when someone is using their physical power to control or hurt you, you cannot fight back. No matter how tempted you are to hit or push, doing so will only make matters worse; teachers will have trouble determining who was the instigator, and both parties will likely end up punished. When someone bullies they are trying to get a reaction, so remember to stay calm. Also, don't go anywhere alone. Not only is it safer to have a friend with you, but it's also much more fun. It is always OK to ask a teacher or adult to accompany you in the halls if it makes you more comfortable.

After my conversation I got to visit classrooms and meet with students, including one young woman who asked me questions about pursuing acting in New York City. Rachel had recently starred in the school production of Music Man and we got all sorts of caught up in our conversation about acting.

I had the pleasure of speaking with a number of girls at today's school about the opportunity to be involved with the Miss America program. Met with the usual hesitations related to lack of interest in being categorized as a 'pageant girl', I offered a simple explanation: Every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square. Having a title does not require compliance with any preexisting stereotypes. The opportunity is your own to develop and the success and style of your year is your own to shape. This goes for everything in life.

Thanks to LaFargeville and Lyme students for a great talk today, and to the staff and Joelle for making me feel so welcome! A special thank you to Julie Bocciolatt, a teacher at LeFargeville and the mother of Miss Thousand Islands 2011, for inviting me to visit. It means so much to have the support of those within our Miss New York family.

Honorary Citizenship from Watertown's Mayor Jeff Graham

This morning I stopped by to meet Watertown Mayor Jeff Graham. Mayor Graham is an avid blogger and longstanding leader of the Watertown area. I also had the honor of meeting one of our Congregational candidates, Matt Doheny. Both gentlemen and their teams gave me a warm welcome to the North Country.

Having gone to school at Clarkson University here in the snowy north of New York, I have a special fondness of this region of the state. The Miss New York Pageant was hosted in Watertown for years and the community has a strong affection for the title. In fact, my host for the week is a former Miss New York, Jessica Renzi, who met her current husband during her time as Miss New York here in Watertown. NYC is what comes to mind for most Americans who think of our state, and it has been my goal to expand people's awareness of what New York has to offer. There's no denying the beauty and culture that the North Country brings to our state.

Then I got a surprise...Mayor Graham granted me Honorary First Citizenship of Watertown! Yes, this means I am a certified Watertownian. This adds to an already long list of reasons why I'll be back up here (that is includes fishing, because if you haven't fished in Northern New York you haven't truly fished.)

Thank you to Mayor Graham, Matt, and all their staff for a wonderful morning!!

Watertown's News 7 to Talk Miss America

This morning I woke up in Watertown! I'm in town to speak at several schools but started the trip with an early morning visit to News 7. They got the scoop on Miss America and we touched quickly on some bullying advice for adults, since the issue is a hot one in the area. Thanks to Jeff and Beth for having me on the show!

Miss Niagara

Tonight I took part in the grand return of the Miss Niagara Scholarship Organization. After a nearly ten year hiatus the title is back and women from across the county came to compete for the job of Miss Niagara, a scholarship award, and the opportunity to compete for my title this summer.

Hundreds of guests filled the historic Palace Theater. As I conversed with the crowd I was pleased to hear that many did not know a contestant, telling me they were simply interested in supporting what the program stands for and offers to young women. Nearly 60 baskets were put together and donated by the local community to help raise funds for the scholarship. The theater was abuzz with energy as locals prepared to welcome back a familiar friend, Miss Niagara, from her decade long absence.

And the winner is...

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Miss Niagara 2012...Desiree Wiley!! Desiree will spend the coming year serving her local community and will join me this summer for the chance to take over the job of Miss New York.

The community's support of tonight's event really moved me. I am so glad to see how much this area values the Miss America opportunity. Much of my professional and personal growth happened because of my first local director, Bob Clark. He taught me everything I know about being a business woman during my year as his 19 year old Miss Tampa. Every year he takes a young lady and transforms her into a woman. When local directors take the opportunity to mentor and grow their contestant, the entire community wins. It is clear to me that this will be the case with the Miss Niagara Organization, and I am so thankful to have them in our family once again.

Congratulations to Desiree, and to all of tonight's contestants! You represented yourselves beautifully and made your home town proud. Thank you to the Miss Niagara team. What a beautiful return you have made. Thank you for bringing the Miss America opportunity to the women in your area and for letting me take part!!

Meet Gianna, a Children's Miracle Network Hospital Champion

Earlier this week I got a Facebook message that turned into a dinner date. This doesn't happen often, but the individual who contacted me was well worth taking a night to meet.

Meet Gianna...a Children's Miracle Network Hospital Champion for New Jersey. She is a student, model and actress who comes to New York City almost weekly for auditions and work.

When only a year old, Gianna was in a car accident and suffered head trauma. She had to be placed in a coma in order to survive. When she awoke, she had no motor abilities. For the past thirteen years she has received regular care at CMN Hospitals. When I walked in tonight, Gianna met me at the door and gave me a massive hug. She rushed me to the table to meet her mother and best friend, and we instantly starting to gab about acting and Miss America. I never noticed the limited movement in her right arm and leg. Her wild curls, bright eyes and incredible energy captured all my attention.

Thank you, Children's Miracle Network. You didn't just save this girl

s life physically; Gianna is full of life because if the incredible care CMN Hospitals provide both medically and personally. So glad I got to meet her.

Let's do it again soon, Gianna!! I have to hear how Jonas was in How to Succeed!

Queen of the Rosary Academy

This morning I brought a panel of judges to Queen of the Rosary Academy to judge the finalProject Empower non-profit competition. After developing their own civic project over the past four weeks, 12 teams from two separate academies sought the chance to win the grand prize and a trip to the New York City Regional Competition coming up in February.

Congratulations to Peace Makers and Santa's Helpers for winning top score from their schools!

Peace Makers was an anti-bullying effort that created a pledge bookmark, invited Detective Steven McDonald to speak to at their school and held a poster contest among their peers. Santa's Helpers collected nearly 150 toys then personally delivered them to the local hospital.

While these two teams will have to opportunity to present at our big competition in two weeks, they are not the only winners for today. Check out some of the other projects we saw:

The "Homeless Helpers" campaigned for donations of warm clothes and volunteered their time at local shelters. "Driving Irresponsibly" created an education campaign to end drunk and distracted driving. "Free Shoveling for Senior Citizens" did just that. "All Children are Born Special" collected funds and created a viral awareness video for a local runaways shelter - and even performed a special rendition of Lady Gaga's Born This Way. "Water Resources" had peers take a pledge to participate in a weekly water-conservation day. "Litter" donated their time during recess for several weeks to clean trash from the school block. "Animal Helpers" put up fliers and collected supplies for local animal shelters. "Ugly Tie Contest" had students donate to participate in a contest for the ugliest tie. "Beauty Inside and Out" designed a website to teach students about Locks for Love. "Head Start for the Future Generation" collected books for local day care centers. Other groups collected donations and designed awareness campaigns for St. Jude Children's Hospital, USO, UNICEF, Wounded Warriors, Salvation Army, Good Dog Foundation, as well as local food pantries, day care centers, shelters and hospitals.

Today's judges all hail from the worlds of finance, business, and New York University. Each donated their time to be part of the event.

All we did was give three basic instructions to these students: identify a need, come up with a plan, and implement it. What impresses me most is how creative and bold each group was with their efforts. With youth comes fearlessness and thus the tendency to take greater risk. As years jade the rest of us, it's important we watch these students as they remind us of the payoff that comes with bold action.

Congratulations to all of the students and a huge thanks to our judges and teachers who made this such an incredible experience!