Coppelia

This past weekend was possibly the last time I will perform at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, New York.  My dance company, The New Paltz Ballet Theatre, produced the ballet Coppelia and I performed as a friend in both Act One and Two and as the soloist in Dawn in Act Three. Both the cast and crew did an extraordinary job and I was proud to go out with bang. Congratulations to our Principals Megan Fairchild and Andrew Veyette from New York City Ballet as well as the dancers of New Paltz School of Ballet. Looking forward to our recital in June!

Four Points

Recently, My Four Points magazine article went up on the website and came out in print. It talks about my scholarship at Troy University and what I have been doing as my state representative. Representing New York in a good light has been a wonderful experience and I am proud to have grown up in a state that offers girls experiences like the ones I have been so fortunate to go through!

Meeting the folks of the Lutheran Care Facility

  Today I paid a visit to the ladies and gentlemen that reside at the Lutheran Care Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. We discussed what the world has changed into and the changes between when they were kids and what it is like nowadays.We also had lots of fun playing with their pet Guinea Pig Larry.
      After the latter, I shared with them my future plans and what the Miss America Outstanding Teen system has done for me. We also then planned a day where we will be sharing tea and lunch. I can't wait for this and to visit with the staff, children, and nursing residents in the near future!

Fulton County Pageant

         Yesterday, I drove up to Fulton County to help crown the new Fulton County Teen and to share my thoughts in an onstage interview.
          I met other teens who have already been crowned and were quite anxious to know what it is like to compete at the state level. I look forward to ushering and guiding them on this journey beginning at the state orientation coming up in the middle of April.
          During my onstage interview it was a chance to share yet again the magnificent opportunities the Miss America Outstanding Teen system offers and how much it has changed my future path and my current life for the better. We also had the time to discuss what different parts of New York are like and I was happily surprised by the support Fulton County has to offer.
          Finally, I got to see my Sister Queen Kaitlin and share another experience with her. It is always nice to help each other get ready and share stories about appearances both past and future. So here is a shout out to everyone who came to support Fulton County and the opportunity it gave to both Colleen and the new teen!  Congratulations to both and I look forward to seeing you at the State orientation.

     

Carmel Dance Show and Charity Benefit

     On Friday January 6th, I attended the Carmel High School Dance show. The girls and boys proved to be fabulous athletes and extremely well spoken with goals of accomplishing great achievements. Besides watching the high school dancers perform I sold raffle tickets to all of the audience members and later in the show drew the winning raffle tickets. The money raised was donated to help families starving or without food. Always remember that what you do can inspire others and hope that by living to your full potential  you can help others reach theirs in todays world!  Also, always volunteer to help others throughout your life that don't have as much as you do....it is such a rewarding experience.
    Moreover, I also met a group of young dancers that I had the opportunity to talk with about what it means to dance and why you dance. It was a blessing to pass along lessons I have learned to younger kids and also a moment of deja-vu for when I was that young girl talking to who I thought was a role model.

New Years Eve

   Yesterday was New Years Eve and I participated by being a volunteer at the Millbrook New Year's Eve Celebration Sponsored by the Millbrook Rotary Club. I had many jobs last night one of which was introducing the magic act on every hour. Another job I performed was reading books to the kids waiting in line for balloons or for the magic show. I love children and had such a blast spending most of my night with them as they waited for fireworks and the ball to drop!  I signed tons of autographs and posed for many pictures with children and grownups alike!