My friends,
My life was changed the summer of 2003 when I first became a student at the New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA). I spent my entire summer at the school of Choral Studies where my hobby of music and the arts was transformed into my passion. I worked tirelessly in classes, rehearsals, and practice rooms becoming completely enthralled in the genius of a single chord of music. My eyes were opened to various styles, composers, and eras of music I had never known. I cried so hard, my heart hurt, when the summer came to an end and counted down the days until I returned the following summer for Choral Studies 2004. I truly believe NYSSSA helped me become the person I am today as it gave me the opportunity and the tools to realize that I wanted to pursue music for a lifetime.
This amazing program is in serious danger. Two years ago it faced budget cuts that threatened its existence and unfortunately its fate is up for question again. Two years ago New Yorkers rallied together and expressed their love and believe in the performing arts, in the NYSSSA program, and saved cuts from wiping out the program all together. We must let our voices be heard once again!
There were many students at NYSSA who did not go on and study in the arts in college but their experience is not any less valid. NYSSSA, like so many arts programs that are also in danger, provides an opportunity for young boys and girls to find their niche. It is a place to explore passions and talents. It is a chance for self confidence to grow, and knowledge to be learned, and dreams to be met. NYSSSA is a child's chance for success, an opportunity for a young boy or girl to be on their way to meet their God given potential.
Please let your voice be heard for the sake of our children's education and future.
More information on the crisis at hand can be found at http://www.nysaae.org/Support_NYSSSA.htm
It is simple to help! There are predrafted letters on that website that simply need your name added to be sent.
Best yet, go right to the top: Call Governor Andrew Cuomo's office and tell him that you believe in the importance of the performing arts and you want NYSSSA to be saved. (518)-474-8390
SAVE NYSSSA SAVE THE ARTS SAVE OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Miss America 2011
Congratulations to our Miss New York Claire Buffie for winning one of the People's Choice spots in the top 15! Claire went on to finish top 12 and made us all very proud with her strong showing!
And of course huge congratulations to our new Miss America, formerly Miss Nebraska, Theresa Scanlon. Wishing her a wonderful year of service with many opportunities, experiences, and blessings.
Miss America 2011 Theresa Scanlon
And of course huge congratulations to our new Miss America, formerly Miss Nebraska, Theresa Scanlon. Wishing her a wonderful year of service with many opportunities, experiences, and blessings.
Miss America 2011 Theresa Scanlon
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Vote for Miss New York 2010
Vote for Miss New York 2010!
Click here to watch Miss New York's video and to vote for Claire!
GO NEW YORK!
Click here to watch Miss New York's video and to vote for Claire!
GO NEW YORK!
Claire's Send Off!
I had the pleasure of attending Miss New York 2010 Claire Buffie's send off party for Miss America this past weekend. It was a wonderful gathering of friends and family of the Miss New York Organization. Many of the girls and volunteers I have not seen since the state pageant this past summer so it was also a wonderful reunion of sorts!
We all shared how proud we were of Claire and wished her the best of luck in her final month of preparation for Miss America. It was touching to see how grateful she was for the large turn out of supporters.
Claire also gave us all a sneak peak of her Miss America wardrobe (I cannot WAIT to see her in evening gown- it is going to be STUNNING!) as well as her talent selection. She also talked about how hard she has been working since she won her state title to promote her platform, "Straight for Equality." Claire really has done a remarkable job championing for gay rights and I am so proud of how all that she has done thus far representing the Miss New York Organization. She certainly is going to give everyone a run for their money in Vegas next month!
Best of luck Claire!
We all shared how proud we were of Claire and wished her the best of luck in her final month of preparation for Miss America. It was touching to see how grateful she was for the large turn out of supporters.
Claire also gave us all a sneak peak of her Miss America wardrobe (I cannot WAIT to see her in evening gown- it is going to be STUNNING!) as well as her talent selection. She also talked about how hard she has been working since she won her state title to promote her platform, "Straight for Equality." Claire really has done a remarkable job championing for gay rights and I am so proud of how all that she has done thus far representing the Miss New York Organization. She certainly is going to give everyone a run for their money in Vegas next month!
Best of luck Claire!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
turkey day!
Happy Thanksgiving, Rochester! I hope you all enjoy this holiday with your family and friends. I am thankful for each and every one of you and your unconditional support!
Thankful to be your Miss Greater Rochester 2010,
Katie
Thankful to be your Miss Greater Rochester 2010,
Katie
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Women in Business at RIT
I had the honor of being the guest speaker at a recent Women in Business meeting at RIT. Women in Business is an amazing organization designed for women in all phases of their academic careers at Rochester Institute Technology who are interested in gaining tips furthering their business ambitions, networking, and building new friendships. Women in Business is a very active organization at RIT, participating in community service, educational activities, and sponsoring leadership events.
Needless to say, I was thrilled to be asked to speak at their meeting. I was asked to speak about what it means to be a successful woman and leader and how my experiences have led me to where I am today. Seeing as how I am only twenty-four (yes I recently had a birthday!) years old and am still figuring out what it means to me to be a successful woman I took the opportunity to speak about the experiences I have had through the Miss America Organization that have allowed me to achieve effective leadership skills and insight both of which have led me to success in all areas of my life.
The women were very receptive and asked candid questions. It was easy to see what a remarkable group of young ladies Women in Business is and I hope they were able to take a little of what I had to say and apply it to their own lives.
me with just a few of the members of Women in Business
Needless to say, I was thrilled to be asked to speak at their meeting. I was asked to speak about what it means to be a successful woman and leader and how my experiences have led me to where I am today. Seeing as how I am only twenty-four (yes I recently had a birthday!) years old and am still figuring out what it means to me to be a successful woman I took the opportunity to speak about the experiences I have had through the Miss America Organization that have allowed me to achieve effective leadership skills and insight both of which have led me to success in all areas of my life.
The women were very receptive and asked candid questions. It was easy to see what a remarkable group of young ladies Women in Business is and I hope they were able to take a little of what I had to say and apply it to their own lives.
me with just a few of the members of Women in Business
Friday, October 22, 2010
Hello friends!
Boy, it's been a while!
The last time I updated I was on my way to compete for the title of Miss New York 2010. Pageant week was truly a remarkable week and I had a fantastic time making new friends, volunteering in the Albany community, and representing the Greater Rochester area to the best of my ability. I was thrilled to make top 10 and feel as though I really did my absolute best! Huge congratulations to Miss New York 2010 Claire Buffie. She has already done a fantastic time representing our state and is gearing up for the big show come January-Miss America!
The month or so leading up to Miss New York I had put a lot of the rest of my life on hold for a bit and had a lot of catching up to do following the pageant. Right before I went to pageant week I had been cast in my first professional production. Since I did not win Miss New York I was able to take my place in Summerstock NYC, an Equity production performing in two theatre houses in NYC whose mission was to "bring affordable theatre back to New York." Rehearsals started the day after Miss New York-literally! So I had no time to relax! I had an absolute blast and learned a ton! A month and a half later the production ended and I found myself still on the run, on call as I had made it to the final round of auditions in front of the creative team for Legally Blonde for the Elle cover, at a family wedding (I caught the bouquet!), and trying to pick up extra shifts at work to make up for all this time off! WHEW! The summer was an absolute whirl wind!
Anyway I'm back! I absolutely never took the crown off (so to speak) and was still active in staying in touch with the Rochester community obtaining new sponsors, speaking with the higher ups in arts education, and working to find new ways to help the Miss Greater Rochester Organization grow. Now that things have calmed down a bit I am thrilled to be able to be a more visible force once again, crown and sash in tow, making public appearances. And of course, updating my blog :)
Thank you, Rochester, for all of your support thus far. I cannot tell you how honored I am to wear the Greater Rochester name. I may not have won the title of Miss New York as I spoke in my last entry, but to me I think I won something even better-I won the chance to return home and be Miss Greater Rochester for the whole rest of the year!
The last time I updated I was on my way to compete for the title of Miss New York 2010. Pageant week was truly a remarkable week and I had a fantastic time making new friends, volunteering in the Albany community, and representing the Greater Rochester area to the best of my ability. I was thrilled to make top 10 and feel as though I really did my absolute best! Huge congratulations to Miss New York 2010 Claire Buffie. She has already done a fantastic time representing our state and is gearing up for the big show come January-Miss America!
The month or so leading up to Miss New York I had put a lot of the rest of my life on hold for a bit and had a lot of catching up to do following the pageant. Right before I went to pageant week I had been cast in my first professional production. Since I did not win Miss New York I was able to take my place in Summerstock NYC, an Equity production performing in two theatre houses in NYC whose mission was to "bring affordable theatre back to New York." Rehearsals started the day after Miss New York-literally! So I had no time to relax! I had an absolute blast and learned a ton! A month and a half later the production ended and I found myself still on the run, on call as I had made it to the final round of auditions in front of the creative team for Legally Blonde for the Elle cover, at a family wedding (I caught the bouquet!), and trying to pick up extra shifts at work to make up for all this time off! WHEW! The summer was an absolute whirl wind!
Anyway I'm back! I absolutely never took the crown off (so to speak) and was still active in staying in touch with the Rochester community obtaining new sponsors, speaking with the higher ups in arts education, and working to find new ways to help the Miss Greater Rochester Organization grow. Now that things have calmed down a bit I am thrilled to be able to be a more visible force once again, crown and sash in tow, making public appearances. And of course, updating my blog :)
Thank you, Rochester, for all of your support thus far. I cannot tell you how honored I am to wear the Greater Rochester name. I may not have won the title of Miss New York as I spoke in my last entry, but to me I think I won something even better-I won the chance to return home and be Miss Greater Rochester for the whole rest of the year!
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