Ali Ro

Thanks to the team at Ali Ro for bringing me into your showroom today and fitting me into so many incredible dresses to wear this year! You definitely nailed the look I love!!

Ali Ro designs are simple yet energized and can easily transition from corporate board meetings to late night outings with just the change of an accessory. Now that's something that we New York girls embrace. Can't wait to show off the looks, thank you again to my chic new partner in fashion!

Presenting Medals at the New York City ING Marathon

Today I handed out awards at the ING New York City Marathon. As runners completed one of the world's most famous marathons I had the privilege of being the first to congratulate them at the finish line.

Runners came through in every sort of state; from giddily squealing their praises of the Big Apple to silently dragging themselves forward in a seemingly whirling sense of bewilderment at what they had just accomplished. No matter their state, I ran over to each and wrapped my arms around them in a complete disregard for the buckets of sweat I was absorbing. I slipped a medal over their head and got to spend a moment chatting before they were swept away by volunteers. By the time the main group was coming through I was throwing up high fives and snapping pictures left and right.

At one point a runner pointed to me across the crowd and shouted, "Pittsford!!" I screamed back, "WOO!" before realizing how crazy that was. How did he know where I was from? I tweeted about it and received a reply from him saying that I had taken a picture with his daughter this summer at my first ever appearance. Even in the middle of New York City the world can be small.

The volunteer beside me turned to me at one point and said, "Every river contributes to the grandeur of the ocean." If each runner today is a river, then their accomplishment today serves as proof of their powerful ability to contribute to the ocean we call society. If they can master their physical and mental self for this, then imagine what else they can do. Congratulations to all of the participants for their incredible work!! Thank you to the NYC Road Runners for letting me take part!

If I find pictures I will throw them up here, but unfortunately I was focused on the runners and unable to snap shots during the event. Keep tuned for photos!

Coast Guard Ball in Washington DC

I went south with the USO Liberty Bells to Washington DC and joined the USO for the U.S. Coast Guard Ball. The Liberty Bells had the privilege of performing at this annual event which is a black tie evening for our Coast Guard and their guests.

Throughout the night we entertained alongside the Coast Guard Silent Drill Team and watched as our Commander in Chief delivered a video address. We met hundreds of incredible service members and got to relax and hear their stories all evening. Thank you to our new friends and all our Coast Guardsmen for your incredible service and dedication to this country!! SEMPER PERATUS!! The USO loves you!!

New York Women in Law Enforcement Conference

Thank you to the ladies of the New York Women in Law Enforcement for letting me join part of your conference weekend! I was a surprise cast member for The Killing Kompany's show during dinner and had an incredible time.

New York Women in Law Enforcement is a new organization that has been founded to strengthen the law enforcement community by providing women and men with opportunities to enhance their professional and personal lives. Members prepare for career opportunities within the field while celebrating diversity and promoting education in order to develop leaders. It was a privilege to meet members and learn about what they are doing to lead within their field.

We worked hard and played even harder. After dinner we had Women and leadership...it's a mix worth celebrating! I noticed several men in the audience and was told that the organization is co-ed. I love that this women's organization has opened it's door to allow their male peers to also benefit from the incredible work they are doing. It's proof of the true leadership they possess and promote as an organization and a fine model for other programs. There is no need to exclude men from the celebration of women's power!

Thank you to all the members for welcoming me into tonight's program and for all you do to protect and serve our state. Congratulations to the newly elected president and I wish the entire organization a successful year ahead!!

Introducing: Project Empower!!

This morning I went to St. Elizabeth's Catholic Academy to lead a press conference announcing a new and exciting initiative in which I will be taking part. Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to a program that is fueling the intellectual renaissance.

Say hello to Project Empower.

Project Empower is an education revitalization initiative that provides schools with free hands-on learning in leadership, community service, business and relationship skills. Through our four integrated programs and partnerships with top university and corporations, we expose students to world class leadership and skill development. The goal is to enhance classroom learning while preparing students for success in the real world.

Our Project Empower team is entirely comprised of young minds from the business and university world. I am beyond honored to have been appointed by my teammates as Executive Director for IMPACT!, one of the programs four primary branches, as well as Co-Head of Communications for the organization as a whole!

As a state representative for the Miss America Organization, I share in the responsibility to spread the message of educational empowerment, civic involvement, and youth leadership. I am thrilled to introduce a program that allows students of all ages to develop the skills that are fundamental to the Miss America program.

We were joined today by the students and staff as well as Bishop Frank Caggiano, Alan Fields (Executive Director of After School All Stars), as well as many principals and staff members from area schools.

St. Elizabeth's Academy has been selected as the pilot school for Project Empower because of their commitment to excellence in academics. We will be starting up programs in schools throughout New York City throughout the fall and hope to have partnerships in additional states by mid winter. Over time we plan to take our model internationally. We already have schools in Africa that have expressed interest.

Our primary programs within Empower include:

- BOSS, which prepares middle and high school students to be career ready through interactive business competitions, career-path exposure and active mentoring;

- OUTREACH, which facilitates civic engagement of middle and high school students through interactive nonprofit competitions, exposure to charitable causes and active mentoring;

- IMPACT, which will prepare young adults to be leaders in the non-profit word through board/committee placement, social entrepreneurship and other management activities;

- LifeLaunch, our interactive Internet-based life and career simulation games designed to promote passion and awareness of career opportunities and real-world knowledge at a young age, and;

- MERIT, which will provide scholarships to students who have demonstrated excellence in both academic and leadership achievements in Project Empower programs.

As part of today's activity, students did an OUTREACH style workshop with me to design an anti-bullying campaign for their school.

In teams, students designed a poster with a slogan and three ways students can be leaders. The results were astounding. It became clear at this point that by putting the students in charge we succeeded in engaging them beyond anything the staff had seen them do previously. In fact, Principal Ferguson has agreed to implement the campaigns within the school and make them the official stance of St. Elizabeth's.

This program is going to help fight bullying in a unique way. By empowering students to understand and appreciate success both in themselves and their peers while giving them goals and ideas for their future, we are giving them power and therefore reducing their need to seek it through negative behavior. This is about realizing the value in every individual. This project and the teamwork it inspired was a fine testament to this, and the students were all smiles.

We are Project Empower. We are exposing students to community and civic involvement, instilling skills and knowledge relevant to achieving meaningful success in the real world, exposing students to increasingly complex business concepts as well as the idea of non-profit engagement and the ease with which one can impact their community. We can give them the tools to create a stronger future, not only for themselves but for the world in which they live.

Because the job of Miss New York is to be a leader, and every single child has that power within them. All they need is to discover and harness it, and I am thrilled to introduce an incredible tool that will allow them to do so.

To learn more about project empower or request our programs for your school, visit www.proempower.org

Guest at Senator Klein's Dinner

Tonight I was invited by Senator Jeffrey Klein to join him for a dinner at Benjamins Steakhouse in Whiteplanes.

I joined a small crowd of his closest supporters and caught up with Policy Director Dana Carotenuto about developments and plans for the cyberbullying initiative. You will be thrilled to know that her team plans to do more than just work on legislation. I'm glad to say that she and I are on the same page in our belief that to make an impact on this issue we have to put focus on education. Keep your eyes peeled, I will be working with her team and we have exciting ideas in the works!

Among the esteemed guests was the young woman who captured my heart when I met her at the press conference, Miss Jamie Isaacs. Sitting at the Senator's table alongside her and her family, I got to learn more about their work as mediators for families struggling with bullying and advocates for safe school environments. This girl is incredible. Also sitting with me was Senator David Carlucci, who discussed with me his career as a politician that began at age 22. Carlucci is a supporter of the cyberbullying initiative.

Thank you to Senator Klein and his office for having me as a guest, and to Benjamin's Steakhouse for the terrific meal! Thank you also to the many new friends I met this evening!

Soundview Academy

This morning I made my second visit to Soundview Academy and got to shadow staff through a day at the school. Thank you to all the staff and teachers who took time to talk with me about the needs of the students.

We have decided to focus on the 8th grade girls. Since this middle school is new, they are the first 8th grade class to pass through and are leaving just as many of the school's programs and services are kicking off. We wanted to do something special for them. Since they are at the age where body image and self awarness are at their peek, we are going to be developing a workshop series that will help them through this transition. The entire thing will be hands on and candid. I think these girls know what they need and want so why not let them lead and get the things that will best empower them.

Excited to get started! Keep it here for more updates along the way!