Over the weekend I traveled to Staten Island for the Miss New York Workshop. It was a four hour drive but worth every minute! The constructive criticism and preparation I collected throughout the day was amazing and I believe it is really going to help me excel even more than I thought possible! Meeting the girls was probably the best part of the day. Conversation was so comfortable but of course, why would it not be?! We all share the same dream. :)
Janet was so good to us! She drove us all the way down and we then had an empire party in the hotel room! It consisted of chicken ceasar wraps and pizza. A salad for me! :p

During the workshop, one of the most special parts for me was when we had one on one time with the current Miss New York Kaitlin Monte. She is incredible. I do not believe that word is even enough to describe her. She has made me realize so many things that I already knew. She just dragged it out and changed my whole perspective on everything but most importantly myself. While she was talking to us she explained how scared she was the moment she had been crowned. She explained that all throughout the gala in the lobby, she knew she had huge shoes to fill and that a lot would be expected of her as she just earned the biggest job in New York State. She went on to say that there were times she called her mother to vent and cry. That she was scared and overwhelmed. that sometimes she did not feel confident getting ready in the morning, having anxiety that her hair was not done the right way. This meant so much to me because there are so many girls that want something so badly but they struggle very badly with confidence whether it be from an unknown source or something from childhood experience. Saturday April 14th was the first day of my pageant career that I believed in myself 100 percent that I have everything it takes to move past the Miss New York Stage. I am just as capable as every one of those young women onstage. Kaitlin helped me to realize that I am not alone and that I have the opportunity to be the owner of those keys to the car that I will be driving everywhere I possibly can as a human being. I made it a point to find her and thank her but I hope she knows just how much that changed everything for me. :) It is amazing to have someone so real as our Miss New York and I am more than honored to know her!

As the day progressed we worked with Justin Popovich in swimsuit and fitness. As we sat in the audience the music started blaring and there he was in 3 inch platforms and six inch heels! He has the most fierce walk I have ever seen and REALLY knows what he is doing LOL. I enjoyed him very much! As the day ended we were all sooo tired. I am pretty sure all three of us slept on the way home but it was such an amazing experience and I am more excited than I have ever been before for June to arrive! Thank you God, for this opportunity :)

-Miss Empire Star, Danielle Trumbull