Fare Thee Well!

It seems a bit cliche to say that I can’t believe it had been a year already, but I truly can’t. So much has changed for me in the past 12 months, personally, professionally, spiritually and emotionally.

When I competed at Miss New York last year, I knew I found “the shoe that fit” in regards to pageant systems. The Miss America Organization felt like home immediately.  There is a different sort of camaraderie within this system that most people on the outside could never possibly understand. On the other hand, I felt ill-prepared and knew I needed help if I was going to continue competing at that level. Watching Allison Carlos compete all week, not only was I envious of her wardrobe, but I knew she must have had an amazing support system behind her. Cue meeting Shelby, Gary, and Sue.  After meeting the Miss TI team, I knew that if I had a shot at winning Miss NY, I would need them in my corner.

This by far has been the most rewarding, but difficult, year of my life. Without the help of my Miss TI team and my family and friends I would not have grown in the way that I have.  I want to thank a few people for making this year so special. Mom, thank you for giving me your honest opinion and many swift kicks in the behind when I needed them.  Gary and Sue, thank you for truly being my home away from home. Thank you for always making me feel comfortable, for gas in my tank, and granola bars in my tummy. You are like another set of parents to me and I love you both dearly. Ran, thank you for being there when I needed you and keeping Mom sane. Thank you to my sister Elle, and my best friends Jesse Ladoue, Katelynn Smith, and Mary Beth. Mallory Hagan, thank you for making me eat Wegmans at an ungodly hour, being an amazing friend and making the concept of being Miss America more attainable to myself and the world. Huge gratitude also goes to Deltra and Stan, my team at the Ritz Salon and Day Spa, Barbara Yerdon, my friend Dave, Mike Folsom, Kristina Blackford, and Priscilla James.  

Kathy Lettiere, thank you firstly for my gorgeous gown and earrings and even more than that for treating me like a daughter. I never felt more like a queen than when working with you.  Julia and Vern, thank you for accompanying me on this journey, and being my comedic relief. You both have so much ahead of you and I can’t wait to see where your lives take you.  Joelle, my sister, I am so blessed to have been paired with you. You are talented, smart, beautiful and mature beyond your years. Thank you for always being an amazing friend and making me smile. Always keep your faith close to you and you will be unstoppable. Stella, thank you for making my experience with the Children’s Miracle Network an unforgettable one.  As the great Taylor Swift would say “If you’re lucky enough to be different, never change.”  Thank you for being you.

Shelby, you have helped me to grow in ways I never could have imagined. Thank you for never giving up on me or asking me to change myself, but instead helping me to flourish and perfect who I already am. My advocate, my friend, I am forever grateful. To my family, thank you for your never-ending support and undying love. Each of you were an integral part of my success at Miss NY, and I love you all so much. Thank you for the things you did on a daily basis that made this year an extraordinary experience. Aaron, thank you for being my 24/7 counselor, for making me eat right and take breaks when I needed them. You make me so incredibly happy and I am so excited to see what the future brings our way.

I spent a large part of my year explaining why Miss Thousand Islabnds lived in Buffalo.  Not being a native of the Watertown area, it was hard for me to explain. Now, I find myself being so excited to show my family and friends my favorite places: Clayton, The River and Boldt Castle. I am so proud and grateful to have spent a year of my life representing this beautiful region. Now, when people ask me if the Thousand Islands is my home, I simply say “yes.”

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

It is hard to sum up my year as Miss Thousand Islands.  I have met so many amazing people who have touched my life forever.

Shelby, you have made my year so memorable and have held my hand every step of the way.  We are two of the most headstrong human beings on the planet and although a strange combination at first, I believe that we were simply unstoppable.  Thank you for always pushing me further than I thought I could go but never asking me for more than I could give.  I love you more than Tory Burch.

Gary and Sue, I have said it once but I will say it again,  you are like another set of parents to me.  Never have I felt more comfortable in someone else's home as I do in yours.  Thank you for always being there for me when I needed you.  For always being understanding of my needs and having a pageant story to make me smile.  I love you guys so much.

Joelle, my teen, my little sister, you are wonderful.  Thank you for always having a kind word to say.  You are SO beyond your years.  When my days were dark you brought them back into the light.  I have never met a 13 year old quite like you.  I am so blessed to have had you by my side this year.  I love you to the moon and back.

There are so many more people that I could thank but I will just leave you with what I have learned this year.  If I could take anything away from this year, just one thing, it would be the concept of putting things in perspective.  I have struggled for the past few years with anxiety, to the point that the littlest things would overwhelm me.  After working with Stella, my favorite miracle child, I realized that I need to appreciate every single day and take things one step at a time.

I am so grateful to everyone who made this year the best of my life, although I know there are many more to come after I get to marry my best friend, you all gave me the confidence to go in the direction of my dreams.  Words cannot explain my deep gratitude.  I am so excited for what my future has in store.  I will continue looking ahead, only because I know you will always be behind me.

So much love,

Miss Thousand Islands 2013

Lonna McCary

Miss Central New York

This past weekend I had the honor of co-emceeing the first Miss New York 2014 local pageant with Miss New York herself, Nina Davuluri.  It was so fun getting to stand on the other side of things for once.  A lot easier to laugh at myself when I messed up, that's for sure! 

The day started off with rehearsals...

Look how stressed we are!

Then we had a wonderful dinner, full of lots of healthy choices (with the option of bread, I opted in) and great conversation with formers and current titleholders.  I am always so happy going to these pageants because you get to have a first look at what is going to be seen at Miss New York this year, and what could be more exciting than that?!?

Then it was time to get ready...

 

There were so many amazing girls but in the end, Courtney Sheridan walked away with the title of Miss Central NY 2014.  Congrats girl!!  I met Courtney last year at Miss NY and was so pleased to see her come back.  What a genuine, talented, and intelligent young woman.  She just so happens to have the same platform as me which is awesome.  I know that Teen Dating Violence is not alway the easiest topic to talk about and I am so proud of you.  Good luck sister!  You will be wonderful.  And congratulations to Amy and Corrie for a successful year at your first local!

 

I had such a blast, not only hosting but getting to spend some extra quality time with Nina.

With her only having one month to prepare for Miss America, I doubted I would even get return texts from this pretty lady.  Here I am though, on her couch for the second weekend in a row.  I have always loved Nina since the moment I saw her compete at Miss Greater Rochester, but the love has continued to grow ever since.  The more I learn about her, the more I respect her and feel so blessed to not only know her but call her my friend.  You will be absolutely amazing, I can't wait to see you work it in Atlantic City!

On that note,  I think it is time for us beauty queens to hit the hay!  Tomorrow is a big day.  My very last appearance as Miss TI (well, besides my appearance at Miss TI) and it will be a Children's Miracle Network hospital visit in Watertown.  With CMN being one of my favorite parts of this year, I couldn't think of a better way to end my year.  I hope I see you all at the Miss Thousand Islands pageant this weekend, as I retire my crown and say goodbye to my MAO family.  As one door closes, another opens....