AIDS Walk NYC | Impact Red

AIDS Walk NYC is an enormous event that rain or shine, brings together 45,000+ people who all walk for different reasons.  I walk because I constantly fight to destigmatize people and groups who are treated differently or disrespected by society.  I walk for someone special, and he knows who he is. This year, I walked with Impact Red, a team founded by Tyler Helms, who one year ago, disclosed his HIV+ status on his Facebook status.  And his world was turned upside-down.  Since that moment, 355 people have shared their status with him in confidence, admitting that they have not and will not tell anyone else and have not sought medical care for fear of mistreatment, disrespect or denial of service.  Impact Red’s byline is Conversation + Awareness + Change -- a perfect match with what I advocate for – opening dialogue about something that’s sometimes scary and misunderstood and therefore pushed aside in order to create awareness and educate people to affect positive change.  I am honored to be a part of the Impact. Watch Tyler’s story HERE.

Tyler Helms, Founder Impact Red

Impact Red was the AIDS Walk NYC’s featured team this year, who set a goal of $100,000 in fundraising, and surpassed it.  At about $64,000 in online fundraising, Thursday night after my day in Staten Island, I went straight to the Impact Red fundraiser at La Pomme where a huge crowd gathered to support Impact Red.  By the end of the night, they were nearing $100,000 and made a final push that took them over their goal.   It was really fun to spend this evening with Kandice Pelletier (who introduced me to Impact Red), Jackie Swerz, and Katie Berry, a Miss NJ contestant with an AIDS Awareness platform. 

Gossip Girl anyone?  Thanks for your support,  Matt

Sunday, someone even more special joined me for the AIDS Walk – my sister, Sarah!  In town for my birthday weekend, Sarah got to come to the AIDS Walk opening ceremonies with me, experience the crowd of thousands gathered in Central Park, witness the incredible celebrity and corporate support of this fundraiser, and hear a beautiful story of a woman who’s life has literally been saved by the work and support of GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis).  She found out she was HIV+ and spent the next 14 years of her life hiding in her apartment, continuing to abuse drugs and not expose herself to the outside world.  Two years ago, she found GMHC and was seeking treatment when she found out that each of those years she was hiding, her daughter was doing the AIDS Walk in her honor.  Last year, they got to do the walk together, and this year she was on stage alongside the cast of Modern Family, Laura Innes from The Event, Matt Bomer from White Collar, the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Project Runway star Mondo and Audra McDonald.  What an evolution.  She starts college in the fall. 

Modern Family "stretching"

Erik Bottcher, Sarah & me, Matthew Berritt from Impact Red

Sarah and me with Wilson Cruz - she was so excited to meet someone famous :)

After hearing Tyler’s story, he is now another reason why I walk.  We all have different reasons, but this year alone, we came together to raise a total of $6,214,768 .  That’s over six million dollars. Now that’s an Impact.

Could Mr. Vorheesville survive to become Mr. New York?

Two years ago, Leigh-Taylor Smith Miss New York 2008, was invited to Mr. Vorheesville and didn’t exactly know what to expect.  It was a pageant for high school boys as a fundraiser supporting the high school volleyball team and SADD – Students Against Destructive Decisions.  Well, I’m glad she didn’t tell me too much about the event so that I could be as blown away as I was.  I had a blast, let me tell you.  12 guys competed in a Survivor-themed opening number, casual wear, talent, evening wear and on-stage questions.  The emcee was hysterical, constantly badgering Max to my right, Mr. Vorheesville 2009 (good choice Leigh-Taylor!), a clear crowd favorite.  

this photo just captures so much -- this kid was hilarious!

talents as unique as the unicycle

evening wear with their escorts - perhaps this is why JD won

Judging was hard!  I guess it set me up for this summer…  Your Mr. Vorheesville 2010 is JD, a soccer- and baseball-playing, sports-loving gentleman with a cool swagger and heartfelt preparation.  Hey, I announced that he is more than welcome to come on down to compete in Mr. New York on June 13^th as our kick-off event of pageant week!  We’ll see if he comes!  The 7 hours I spent in the car with Linda Carbo were undoubtedly hilarious and awesome – the next girl is really in for a treat with this one J

me with all the Mr. Vorheesvilles - what great guys!

 Here's an update for you -- Max Schuster, Mr. Vorheesville 2009 (far right) is an official contestant in Mr. New York 2011!

Great photos thanks to Mitchell Joyce Photography    Flickr Album: Mr. Vorheesville

Staten Island Filming & Promos

As the 2011 Miss New York State pageant week approaches in our new home of Staten Island, we are drumming up lots of press and media thanks to the Staten Island Advance and our volunteers and board members in community relations there on the Island.  Thursday, following a wonderful lunch at the Staten Island Rotary Club, we had a really great opportunity for eight of the Miss New York contestants to join me, Kenny Mack (Executive Director) and Al Lambert, Staten Island celeb and musician, to record a 30-minute segment to be aired on cable networks in Staten Island, Manhattan and Brooklyn in the month leading up to the pageant.  I believe it’s so important to emphasize the number of women in this organization rather than just focusing on the one representative of Miss America or of the state titleholder.

• ·      Miss NYC, Hannah Wright, spoke about the integration of her talent as a Juilliard dancer into her platform of empowering youth through dance as well as the fact that the Miss America Organization has awarded her over $10,000 in scholarships that afford her the ability to attend such a prestigious school.
• ·      Miss Queens, Nardeen Billan, spoke of bringing her culture and heritage to the Miss NY stage through belly dancing and the excitement of pageantry back to her family. She gave us a little insight on her Mr. New York contestant – her boyfriend!
• ·      Miss Kings County, Carmen Mendoza, talked about her personal platform “Destigmatizing Getting Tested” about HIV/AIDS awareness and knowing your status.  And did you know, Salsa dance, her talent for Miss NY, kind of originated in New York clubs?
• ·      Miss Five Boroughs, Kate Perkins, reflected on the excitement and challenges presented as a first-time competitor and how the organization has already influence her life.  She even sang a little impromptu tune with Al.
• ·      Miss Greater Gotham, Kasey Waters, admittedly discussed something that makes New York unique in the MAO, the fact that we draw contestants from many states, herself from North Carolina originally, because of the amount of young women who come to New York City especially to pursue dreams, careers and school.  Kasey represents New York in addition to North Carolina, two of the nine states represented in this year’s contestants.
• ·      Miss Liberty, Kim Cantoni, one of the three Staten Island girls in the competition this year, shared some of the exciting things we’ll be doing during the Miss New York week
• ·      Miss Richmond County, Amanda Alicea, another Staten Islander, is a former Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen (one of 3 in the competition this year) and shared how the Outstanding Teen program for girls age 13-17 really feeds into the Miss New York Scholarship Program for women 18-24.
• ·      And lastly, Miss Staten Island, Maria DeSantis, an obvious Staten Islander, shared in the excitement of bringing the state pageant to it’s new home in Staten Island at the St. George Theatre and acknowledged the incredible support and family-oriented community involvement of the Island’s residents, businesses, charitable organizations and politicians.

If this media experience was any taste of what the girls will be bringing to interview and the state competition, we’re in for a good year!  I was really impressed by the way the girls stepped up with such enthusiasm on such short notice and represented the organization so well.  Special thanks to Al Lambert and Terry Terrangelo for setting this up, Joel the camera guy from CTV and the Nicotras at the Hilton for allowing us to tape at our host hotel.  I was able to take a tour of the entire Hilton – it’s huge! – and check out Lorenzo’s Cabaret where the Mr. New York Pageant will be held.   So excited!

Equality + Justice Day

Two years ago, I attended my first Equality + Justice Day with the Empire State Pride Agenda, and it marked my very first lobby day. Since, I have grown more involved, understanding political advocacy and my role in it as a constituent and now as a mini-celebrity. It was then that I first met Kate Hathaway and started to get to know some of the heavy hitters in the fight for marriage equality as well as the other bills and legislation necessary to fight for to achieve true equality. In 2009, I was a volunteer, attempting to give directions in the capitol building and the convention center. Since then, I have competed twice in Albany at the Egg Theatre and the University of Albany for Miss New York, spent much time exploring the capitol, meeting with senators and members of the Assembly and feel like I moreso know my way around. But more importantly, I know my way around a legislative meeting. 

I was fortunate to attend some of our most crucial meetings with board members of the Pride Agenda, including Kate and Jerry Hathaway, led by Pride Agenda’s Executive Director, Ross Levi. We met with Senate Minority Leader Sen. Sampson, joined by Sen. Tom Duane, sponsor of the marriage bill in the Senate, Chief Political Officer of the Republican Party, Sen. Tim Libous, and then members of the board were able to meet with the supportive Governor Cuomo. There was much talk about the math and votes required to pass marriage when presented on the floor after a failed vote last January, with a circular finger-pointing and need for strategic development and stealth “attack.” Also a focus was GENDA, the civil rights bills protecting transgender people and gender expression. On both issues, marriage more than GENDA, New York is pretty much divided along party lines. This just means that your voice is even more important. Senators NEED to hear you say you support the right to marriage for ALL people. They NEED to hear you say “Thank you, you are doing the right thing by voting YES.” They NEED to hear you say, “I am your constituent and I urge you to vote on the side of fairness, respect and equality for all people with a YES vote in these next few weeks.” 

 

At the rally in front of the statehouse, I was a featured speaker, opening up the rally. It was so neat to look out and see the amount of people there to lobby, from every walk of life, age, race, etc., under this unified movement for equality, and to see it from a different vantage point of the stage rather than the crowd this time around. You never know exactly how impactful you have been because of the walk-around/talk-around of politics, but I am confident that we are being heard, the pot is being stirred, and New York is closer to full equality than ever before. 

Performers with a Purpose

 

Miss Brooklyn impresses again!  Yet another blog about an event produced by Christina Moore, Miss Brooklyn 2011, to support her platform Performers with a Purpose: Bringing Sarcoma Awareness Center State.  Saturday, Performers with a Purpose was an evening that raised money for Sarcoma, the most rare form of cancer, by featuring hundreds of performers from the Bay Ridge/Brooklyn area.  Before she was even Miss Brooklyn, Christina was teaching dance in public schools to students, kindergarten through middle school.  The show opened with a huge production number of all of the kids Christina taught in their matching t-shirts, all part of the $4,500 of expenses that were donated to the event.  I was brought back to my competition and recital days watching tons of dance studios perform as well as special performances by Miss NYC, Hannah Wright, and her fellow Juilliard dancer, Miss Manhattan, Mallory Hagan, and Miss Five Boroughs, Kate Perkins (singing).  We met so many future Miss NY contestants and were able to promote the Miss New York Star Princess Program so much, even signing a few up, after they got our autographs, of course.  Congrats once again to Christina on a job well done, gaining respect and admiration from your community and your Miss NY family and competitors.

On a total side note, I wasn’t wearing heels that night and was not able to perform my dance for the cause; instead I had my right foot wrapped.  To explain, I have had a few biopsies and mole removals recently, with testing for melanoma. After four procedures, we have now [hopefully] gotten rid of all cancerous and pre-cancerous cells.  This is thanks to my dermatology sponsor, Dr. Virgil Hatcher of Chelsea Dermatology and his referral to Dr. Ariel Ostad, who kindly extended my sponsorship to cover his medical care.  So this sponsorship has been much more than relaxing facials and skincare, but it has helped me catch and hopefully now prevent my chances of developing skin cancer or melanoma.  Seemingly vain or annoyed, I don’t love the two-inch scar on my back or the inconvenience of a healing hole in my foot when I’m trying to walk around and stand (in heels) at appearances, but I’d take it over skin cancer any day.

April 18- April 31

Hello friends!

The middle of April seemed to calm down quite a bit for me. Thank you all for your prayers and support during this time, because at this point I had been really beaten down by the effects of a new medical condition. I was still not permitted to exercise or drive, and after being so independent, for so long- I felt very discouraged. But your love and prayers have helped me to push through and continue making the most of every single day I am blessed with as your Miss Delaware.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (April 18-20) were mostly personal days but I did have a phone conference with the National Alopecia Areata Foundation and also with my Character Counts advisor. Thursday I visited Fredrick Douglas Elementary School in Seaford to give a Character Counts presentation on "Respect". Every moment I spend in an elementary school brightens my day. Kids truly do say the darndest things, but they are also so capable of absorbing all things around them- and therefore we are given an opportunity to truly shape them and make a difference. This presentation was not intended to be about Alopecia at all, but several of the students had heard about me and my story. And because they are at "that age", they wanted to ask about it. I was so thankful they did, and I was able to explain Alopecia Areata to them, and share my story of bullying and accepting others.

I was looking forward to Saturday all week long because that evening I attended my best friend, and 1st Runner Up to Miss Delaware 2008, Julia Fuller Donahue's Woman of the Year Fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Julia held a spectacular event that evening in her mother's honor at the Washington Street Alehouse and made us all so proud. I know Debbie (Julia's mother, who lost her battle with blood cancer a few years ago) was looking down on her with a huge smile on her face and bragging about her daughter up in heaven.

I celebrated Easter the next day with my family (the Martell's and the Gillis') as we attended Kevin's grandfather's final Easter sermon. After the service we all enjoyed brunch together and a blissful day off! Monday and Tuesday I had another appointment with the cardiologist, and quite the to-do list! This was the time when it first set in to me that I will be crowning a new Miss Delaware in just a few weeks. Making plans for the next phase of my life, allowed all of that to become a reality. But then Wednesday rolled around and brought my third test at the cardiologist! We had been praying for answers for two months, and finally- they came! I left the appointment that day feeling overjoyed that we finally had a diagnosis and a treatment plan! Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes during this time. It was certainly not ideal timing, but with all of your love and support, we were able to get through!

That next morning (Thursday, April 28) I was up bright and early to drive myself (a joyous occasion!) to Lincoln to be interviewed by longtime family friend and supporter, Denise Harper, on "The Bridge". The interview went swimingly and viewers were even given the chance to call in and ask me some questions! I cherish every opportunity I am given to talk about my faith in the Lord and the blessings he has bestowed upon my family and I. And after the news from the day before, I had many things to thank Him for! Thank you to "The Bridge" for having me on air!

Saturday (April 30) was one of my favorite days that month. Early that morning, my mother and I drove to Berlin, MD- which I must say, is the cutest little town in the whole world! Oh My Hair Salon was hosting a cutathon for Locks of Love and had invited me to be a part of the event! I had the best time, and the ladies of the salon were so kind and welcoming and were donating their time and offering free hair cuts for anyone who wanted to donate their hair! Men and woman alike came to donate their hair and one woman and one young girl really stood out to me. Everyone there looked beautiful with their new "dus" :)

That afternoon, I was in my hometown again for Milford's Annual Bug and Bud Festival, which is one of my favorite festivals throughout the year! The weather was beautiful and I felt so loved hearing peoples accounts of where they were the night of the Miss America pageant this year. Plus, being a Miss Delaware means you automatically love everything lady bug, so I had to purchase something bug-ish while I was there!

Thank you all for continuing to support me on my journey as your Miss Delaware. As I look back, I realize how special each of these moments are and I feel so blessed to have had such a full and fulfilling year. I hope that I have lived up to my promise of never letting a single moment go to waste.

Stay tuned for my final six weeks as Miss Delaware until we crown the 70th Miss Delaware on June 11th at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino!

God bless you all.

Love,

Kayla

April 10- April 17

Hello friends!

Thank you for checking in with me to be a part of my year as Miss Delaware. I have been having the time of my life and have loved every minute! I cannot believe my year is almost over!

I know I begin every update by letting you know how busy I have been. So I will just let you assume that my schedule has kept up the pace! April 1st I celebrated April Fools Day at the Grande Opening of the World Cafe' Live's The Queen Theatre in Wilmington! If you have not yet visited The Queen, you absolutely must. It is one of the oldest theatres in Delaware and is such a big part of our history. WCL has restored the theatre and revamped everything so it is a beautiful marriage of historic architecture with a modern touch. Be sure to check out their schedule of upcoming concerts.

That Saturday (April 2) I had quite a long day! It began when I sang "God Bless America" at a local ribbon cutting and then rushed over to the Stargate Diner in Harrington to speak to a group of 40 teen girls called "Agape Love" about "Embracing Beauty Within". These girls were so inspiring and so receptive- I knew I had the chance to make a real difference in their lives that day. I signed autographs for everyone, had a bite to eat and after I spoke I was on the road again. By this time it was mid-day and I had to run home and change quickly before driving up to the University of Delaware's campus in Newark to speak at the Odyssey of the Mind Competition's Award Ceremony. I was looking forward to this all week because I had competed in the Odyssey of the Mind Competition from the time I was in 8th grade until I graduated high school. OM was one of my favorite activities and was the perfect venue for me to channel my creative side. My team and I even placed 6th in the World at the International OM Competition in Boulder, CO. Such great memories!

Thankfully, I had the chance to sleep in the next morning and spend the day with my family. Monday and Tuesday were filled with more doctors appointments and another test with disappointing results. But Wednesday morning I woke up with a smile and held my head high as I posed during my photoshoot for the cover of Delaware Today's May Issue, which is on stands now! Bridgette (my bichon maltipoo) tried with all her might to get in the picture. But, unfortunately she didn't meet the criteria ;)

Thursday (April 7) I tried to be productive during the daytime before attending the "10 of the Best" Event hosted by the Milford Chamber of Commerce with MDSO Board Member and my friend, Chuck Ivins. I served as the keynote speaker that evening and chose to speak about the importance of making the commitment to be involved in your community. Thank you Lorna, and to the Milford Chamber for inviting me to speak! I so enjoy every chance I get to be in my hometown!

Friday (April 8) was a special day as my family and I were in Penn's Landing, Philadelphia to celebrate the marriage of my mother's best friend's daughter, Sara to the love of her life, Jake. The wedding was held at Jake's restaurant, the Moshulu. If you've never been, you really must check it out! I suggest trying their brunch- it is my personal favorite! Sara was the most beautiful bride, and I've never met a couple more in love than she and Jake. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Wade! May you have a lifetime filled with love and happiness.

Sunday (April 10) I attended a bowling fundraiser in Wilmington to benefit my platform, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. It is not often that we have NAAF events in Delaware and so I knew I couldn't miss it! I cherish every opportunity to advocate for Alopecia awareness or to just meet others who have this condition as well. My parents were kind enough to ride upstate with me to be a part of this event.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with quite a long to-do list, a rehearsal for the Hocker's Jamboree and another (anxiously awaited) facial at one of my favorite sponsors, the Hockessin Day Spa! Thursday (April 14) I was in Fruitland, MD to speak at 97.5fm CAT Country's event Celebrating Community Heroes at the Black Diamond Lodge. After dinner, I shared my story and my love and commitment to service. Thank you to Delmarva Broadcasting for inviting me to speak and be a part of this incredible event. It is not often that regular community members are honored for their generosity or service and this event was the perfect way to do just that.

Friday (April 15) I was in Wilmington to attend the "Evening with the Masters" to benefit Meals on Wheels of Delaware. As a self-proclaimed "foodie" I was absolutely in my glory as I tested samplings from a plethora of local caterers and restaurants. Love me some food! :) And I loved running into the King of Cakes here in Delaware, Food Network's "The Next Great Baker" winner, Dana, owner of Cakes by Dana. His orange dreamsicle cake is to-die-for. You must try it.

Saturday (April 16) marked the third anniversary of the Virginia Tech massacre which is a day of horrific memories in our family. My fiance', Kevin attended VT and was on campus that day. His mother and I could not get hold of him for hours and we were both in a terrible place until we finally heard from him later that day. Thankfully, he and all of his friends were safe, but many lives were lost that day and on that day I was sure to say a prayer for the families of the victims of that day.

That morning I was glad to be a part of the Miss Delaware Contestant's First Orientation where I was able to speak about the job of Miss Delaware. Letitia Pusey, Miss Delaware 1994's mother, Linda Pusey, who is one of our board members, was asked to speak instead of my own mother, to share what it is like when your daughter becomes Miss Delaware. Thankfully, the parents chose to contact my mother directly and ask for words of wisdom!

It was at orientation that I realized- my year is almost over! It was definitely emotional to hear Debi speak about what June would be like for the next Miss Delaware. The best word that I can describe my feeling is bittersweet! I will truly miss my job, but I know I will continue to be involved in my community and I will forever have the memories of this year. I still have quite a few chapters left in my book :)

I left orientation in Georgetown and headed to Dover to attend the "Power of One" event at the Dover Art League. Thank you to Angela Tilley for inviting my mother and I! From there I left promptly to be able to drive back down to Sussex County to uphold a longstanding tradition of Miss Delaware performing at Representative Gerald Hocker's Jamboree in Dagsboro. I sang "Stand By Your Mine" as per the recommendation of my father! I had the best time and experienced singing with a live band for the very first time!

What a long day that was! I went home that night and slept for a few hours before I had to be up and ready to celebrate at my best friend, and former Miss Delaware, Brittany Dempsey's, Bridal Shower! She loved every part of her shower and I know she was thankful to have a day to celebrate her upcoming nuptials with people who love her. My mother, who is superwoman, made the cake from scratch and decorated it to match the beach theme of her shower!

Thank you all for being a part of this journey. Your support has meant the world to me, and I wouldn't have been able to get this far without all of you behind me!

With much love and gratitude,

Kayla