First Partnership Meeting with Soundview Academy

A few years ago there was a program called "Principal For a Day" by the Pencil Program. What started as a one-day opportunity for professionals to step into the hot seat at schools across the city has developed into a year-long partnership program.

Today I met with the Pencil team and Principal William Frackelton to begin my partnership with Soundview Academy for Culture and Scholarship. Over the next year, Principal Frackelton and have set a goal to improve the social environment of the school in order to improve issues of bullying, parent involvement, and public image.

Here is the best part of this experience: there is no outline or rules on how we are to accomplish our goal. The entire experience is experimental, meaning we will get to design our own plans and see how they do. This school has previously been listed as one of the twenty 'persistently dangerous schools' in the state. This was hard to believe as I walked the hallways with Frack (the nickname staff and students so adoringly bestowed upon him.) Everything looked positive. Art was hanging everywhere and decorated signs with words like 'respect' and 'dignity' were pasted on every wall. Apparently some bad press has left the community with a sour taste in their mouth. No problem. The PR background in me is squealing with joy at the chance to help this school spread its positive image to community members. The performer in me is thrilled at the chance to work with one of the only middle schools with such a comprehensive arts program (everything from theater to graphic design is included in student curriculum.) The Kaitlin in me cannot wait to help these students find a renewed sense of school identity and decrease student aggression through positive programs and opportunities.

I look forward to the coming year and will certainly keep you updated on our work to bring Soundview to the top. Now, it's time to get my hands dirty...

In the meantime, check out this video made by the 6th grade class. Time to brush up my dance moves.

Staten Island Cabaret

With the Miss Staten Island Pageant just around the corner (November 13th) it was time to take part in the annual Cabaret For The Crown at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn on - where else - Staten Island.

The evening event is a fund raiser for the Miss Staten Island Organization which is one of the largest local scholarships in the country. Former titleholders came out to share their musical talents and contestants vying for this year's crown joined in one of their first formal outings. The Miss Staten Island Organization begins working with contestants over a month before the actual pageant, aiming to enable contestants to learn and practice the skills necessary for competition through events just like this. I met each young woman tonight. Many are first time competitors and all of them impressed me with an undeniable sense of grace. At the same time, they were real girls.

Highlights included performances by Miss Staten Island 2011, Maria DeSantis, and Miss Richmond County 2011, Amanda Alicea. We concluded with my first public performance of "Disneyland" since it's showcase on the Miss New York stage this summer. In between songs I had chats with some of the contestants.

Ok, ok, I'm bad...in the rush of interacting with the contestants I didn't take a single picture all night! My priority was speaking with them and watching them during the night (I'm a habitual people reader.) I wanted to see if anyone in the room was the girl I would crown next summer. Did I find her? Come on...do I ever spoil the surprise?

NYC 67th Annual Columbus Day Parade

In the ultimate showcase of Italian American pride, I hopped on a Ferrari and rode in the New York City Columbus Day Parade. Thousands of New Yorkers lined Fifth Avenue to watch one of the largest Italian Heritage events in the nation.

What can I say except that this was like a scene from a dream. Crowds screamed as if they they had known me for years! At one point, I looked to my right and saw an Italian woman squealing with joy. It was my neighbor, Mrs. DiMaggio. She owns the building next door and has seen me in everything from sweats and no makeup to my Sunday best. Always she will say, "Oh, the model! So gorgeous!" There she was on the sidelines, smacking everyone around her to look as she pointed with the biggest smile across her face!! Had my car not moved onward I might have jumped right out to hug her!

At one point the parade stopped for a minute and a little girl next to my car said, "Oh! Are you a real princess?" Of course I said yes, and we started talking. I turned to wave to a group across the street when I heard, "I LOVE YOU MISS AMERICA! I LOVE YOU!" I turned back and saw my little friend with her arms stretched out to me. Talk about a mental picture to last a lifetime. The car took off but not before I asked where she was from and found out she lives 3 blocks from me! I hope I find her someday on my walk to the train!! If she ever happens to read this: I love you, too!!

Funniest story came at the end of the parade. My purse had gotten into the trunk of another car and disappeared over the course of the day along with my director, Linda. Yes, this means I was cell phone-less for the day (I know, seems impossible in this era!) We got to the end of the route and the head of the Columbus Citizens Foundation told me to come with him to his club. I stopped him and asked that I find my purse and director before going anywhere. He didn't seem to know where to send me, but a police officer offered to take me to, "where the food is," which is all I remember her saying about where she would be. Long story short: it took us over 30 minutes to walk three blocks because every two feet I stopped to snap a picture with guests. He asked, "How do you handle this? Do you ever say no?" My answer: no, I would never tell a New Yorker that Miss New York cannot take a picture with them. I did tell him that he was welcome to pull a 'bodyguard' which he eventually did. So there I was getting rushed through the crowd by an NYPD Officer just like a scene from a movie.

The whole day was cinematic; from the colorful parade participants to the cheers of the onlookers. It was an honor to participate and I thank every single New Yorker and visitor who came out to celebrate!!

Dot429 Brunch

Thank you to Dot429 for letting me join today's brunch mixer. Dot 429 is a professional network for the LGBT community and I had the pleasure of meeting many of the city's movers and shakers this morning at their event.

From Jamey Rodemeyer to Tyler Clementi, young people exploring their sexuality often face major hardships from their peers. The issue of bullying has been all too present in the LGBT community over recent years. The journey to self discovery and happiness is a personal one and it pains me that so many people feel the need to hurt those who are only trying to understand and accept themselves.

By the end of the event, as the guests trickled out, I found myself conversing with an impressive young woman who advocates for the Transsexual community. In the 30 minutes that followed she enlightened me to a side of our culture with which I was admittedly not terribly familiar. Right off the bat she clarified the difference between Transsexual and Transgender: Transsexual is someone who feels they were born in the wrong body/anatomy, while Transgender is one who explores the concept of gender role (think Drag culture.) I had a friend in college who underwent a gender change so have experienced the physical transition that some individuals undergo in order to match their externals to their inner self. This woman continued to explain how the loose and joking use of the word "tranny" in pop LGB culture is offensive and derogatory to those of the Transsexual community, since their gender struggle is hardly a laughing matter. I thought of all the times I heard that term thrown around on shows like Ru Paul's Drag Race and among my friends in the theater world. This seem to be a section of our culture that has not received major recognition or understanding from the mainstream world.

My passion to end bullying comes from a belief that being different is not a bad thing. Learning from those who come from an alternative perspective can leave all of us wiser. I am glad I met a woman who could enlighten me on this issue, as I hope this knowledge will assist me in better helping students throughout New York to navigate their journey to adulthood.

New York took a step forward by legalizing gay marriage this year. Let's hope we continue to create acceptance and support for all people, no matter how "different" their life may seem.

Ben Bay Kiwanis Dinner Gala

Tonight I joined more members of the Brooklyn Kiwanis family when I attended the Ben Bay Kiwanis Dinner Gala. I was invited by Brian Baslin who I met at last week's Kiwanis dinner. Brian is a valued supporter of my Children's Miracle Network fundraising and is personally involved in supporting several major children's health organizations.

This evening honored several members of this chapter for their excellence in generosity and community support, and awarded over $200,000 in charitable support to local organizations.

As we danced and dined (I ate two whole lobsters during happy hour and am praying that heaven uses the same caterers,) I learned about the many philanthropic efforts with which each man is involved. Several I recognized as regular supporters of the USO. During the evening they showed a video of a young boy from Italy who was told he would never walk. In the video, we watched him slowly walk himself down a hallway with a smile splashed wide across his face. This is the kind of magic that these men are facilitating through their generosity, and the whole state can take pride in the work these men do for not only their own community, but children and people around the world.

It was an honor to meet and join them and I wish them all the best in the coming year!

Meeting with Commission on Human Rights

This morning I sat down with the NYC Commission on Human Rights to talk about what they are doing to tackle bullying in the big apple.

The NYC Human Rights law is among the most comprehensive in the country and in addition to protecting against discrimination in employment and city services, now includes protection against bias-related harassment online. Yes, that means cyber bullying. The organization is quickly educating its staff on the issue of cyber bullying and has begun a 6 workshop series that they offer to schools free of charge.

We discussed several possible projects. But you know me, no spoilers! I'm excited to work with them and will keep you posted on our continued efforts to make bullying a focal point in their work over the coming year.

Gracie Mansion for Columbus Day Reception

Always a pleasure to bump elbows with some of New York's finest Italians, and Mayor Bloomberg let me do just that when I attended the Italian Heritage Reception at Gracie Mansion. Joining other fine Italian Americans, we enjoyed treats from some of the cities best Italian eateries and honored the impact that Italians have made on the New York City area.

I'm incredibly impressed with the amount of energy this city puts into Columbus Day festivities; particularly their focus on Italian heritage. As a young person in today's society I think I often take our nation's diversity for granted. We are lucky. Lots of people worked hard to make this place for us in America. When we hold cultural prejudice against a group or culture, we are denying ourselves the opportunity to explore and learn from their world. What is different is not always bad. Whether it is where you are from or how you dress in school...difference is what colors our world. I am so proud of the work my Italian predecessors have done to enrich this nation, and thrilled to celebrate that in one of the most diverse cities in the world! Just hop on any given subway car and you will see proof!

Thank you to Mayor Boomberg, his staff, and all those who came out to show support. I'm excited to continue the party this week at the 67th Annual NYC Columbus Day Parade!!