The Big Show

Well it took me a week and a half to recover but I think I am now ready to share with you my experiences at my last Miss America preliminary pageant.  Miss New York 2013 was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.  The people who got me there; my mom, dad, Randy, Elle, Remy, Nick, Shelby, Gary, Sue, Kathy, Priscilla, Deltra, Stan and Aaron made the experience even better.  Before I share my feelings, let me first share with you how the week went.

Day one, Tuesday, July 9th:

My mom and I hit the road early in the morning from Binghamton.  I wore this ensemble:

The contestants checked into the hotel at the Hampton Inn in Staten Island, changed and hopped on the bus with our soon-to-be favorite bus driver ever, Gary

 Katelynn Smith, Myself and Jamie Lynn Macchia

Myself, Desiree Wiley and Katelynn

My roommate and one of my best friends in the world, Katelynn <3

Our first stop was the Common's Cafe, a very delicious lunch sponsored by Mr. Nicotras.  The Common's Cafe is a restaurant that donates every dollar to local charities which is pretty cool.

Nina Davuluri, myself and Katelynn

We then visited the 9/11 memorial.  This was my third time visiting the memorial but it never ceases to touch my heart.  It makes me feel even more patriotic than I already am on a daily basis, I felt honored to be in love with a Marine.  After viewing the memorial,  we had attracted some attention from a man working in 2 World Trade Center tower.  He invited all of us up to a viewing of the architects' floor to view what the new New York skyline will look like.  It was a surreal moment viewing the models of the buildings that will inevitably become a part of the history of not only our state but our country.  

 A pretty awesome picture of what the new skyline will look like; iconic.

 

Standing next to the LARGE models of the new World Trade Center buildings.

After a long walk around the city in my Pink and Pepper heels, I was SO excited to take a look around the actual showroom!

 How awesome are the people at Pink and Pepper?

 They not only gave us all a pair of gorgeous flip flops...

 They also gave us a goodie bag full fun stuff like, an umbrella, sunglasses, a water bottle and more!

Thank you so much Pink and Pepper !

Then...drumroll.....MR NEW YORK!  Mr. New York was sooo much fun.  I had a great time watching my contestant, Corey Cruppi, werk the stage.

 The Cutting Room had some amazing food and treated us like royalty.  Katelynn and me :-)

The very talented Mr Thousand Islands, Corey Cruppi and myself.  The ladies were in love!

Then we headed back to the hotel for some much needed sleep, a little of it anyway.

Day Two, Wednesday, July 10th:

We loaded onto the bus in the morning and headed toward the Tunnel to Towers office.  Tunnel to Towers is a local charity that started after September 11th and has raised money and provided volunteers for state-side disasters ever since.  They also build homes for disabled veterans which really hit close to home for me as well.  It was not only fun to work with this organization, but an honor.

 Paint in the weave!

 Totally normal face; me, Jamie Lynn and Katelynn

Amanda Abdagic, Shannon Oliver (Miss NY 2012), me and Delesia Watson, puttin' in work.

 A fun group shot outside the home of the elementary teacher's home we helped to rebuild.

It was really great working on this home that was effected by Hurricane Sandy.  After that disaster, I knew I wanted to do something but I wasn't sure how.  I feel so blessed that God found a way to let me help with my sisters.

After that we headed over to the Eger Harbor House.  I am so sad that I have misplaced my pictures from this event but I will explain it to you.  Eger house is a retirement home that is filled with some of the most splendid human beings I have ever met.  We are treated like royalty and the beautiful people who live there welcome us with open arms.  You truly feel like you made someone's day.  This was possibly my favorite appearance of the week.  You could really relax and just have a conversation with someone who truly respects what you do.  To the staff and residents of the Eger Harbor house, thank you so much for a delicious lunch and even better company.

After that we headed to Charlie Browns for a very yummy dinner.

Thank you to the staff of Charlie Browns for being so understanding of our very specific diet needs.

As if the day wasn't long enough, we headed to our first four hour long rehearsal with Kent Parham.

Finally, after our rehearsal, Taylor Swift and I headed to bed for some well needed rest.

But we were surprised by a beautiful bouquet of flowers!

The love of my life, Aaron, sent me these flowers for good luck.  I love you babe!

Day three, Thursday, July 11th:

CLOSED rehearsal at the St George Theatre ALL DAY

Sorry, no pictures...except for this one.

 While stretching on my back with my feet up (because they were killing me obviously), I stole a shot of the wall and part of the ceiling of the St. George.  Isn't it gorgeous?

10pm: End of the day

Day four, Friday, July 12th:

Interviews bright and early, keyword, "bright"

 My beautiful interview outfit donated by my friend Mike, thank you for making me look awesome!

Right before I walked into my interview, I ran into one of my princesses, Vern, and gave her a gift: a new sash!

After that was lunch, preliminary dress rehearsal and then prelims themselves!

 Me and Jamie in our opening number outfits.  Twinnies <3

 Evening Gown!

 Awkward talent pose, because when am I not awkward?

 More epic talent picture

Lifestyle and fitness

More evening gown

And THEN, something amazing happened...

I WON THE KENN BERRY SPIRIT AWARD!!

and then I made this face...

I am so honored to have won the Kenn Berry Spirit award.  This organization is where my heart lies and I am so happy that that was easily seen.  Thank you so much Agnes White and family for choosing me!  It means the world to me.

Day five, (last day), Saturday, July 13th:

Rehearsals all day and then finals

I did not make top ten but I know that I did my personal best and that is all that I could ask for.  I have come leaps and bounds from where I started ten years ago.  Everyone has their own journey and mine was just the way it was meant to be.

Later that night, one of my dear friends, Nina Davuluri won the title of Miss New York.

Um, can you tell I am excited?

This was such an amazing experience.  Did I mention that my amazing teen, Joelle Leek finished 5th RU?!?!

So proud of you girl!  Love you!

Here are some more random shots from prelims and finals:

 Best Friends: Katelynn and I

 Night after prelims and my Kenn Berry award :-)

 Miss America, Mallory Hagan and myself

 Prelim award ceremony

 Night of finals with my girls, very patriotic looking!  Jamie, me and Katelynn

 My "little" brother bob and me.  I used to help change his diapers.  I can't handle that.

 My amazing nutritionist, pageant coach and bestie Justin Popovics and me.  Thank you for everything you have done for me this year.  Xoxo WERK!

My mommy and me.  Thank you for being fabulous and carting me around to pageants for ten years.  I love you so much.

 My obvious favorite contestants, Jamie Lynn and Katelynn.  I love you both so much.

It is hard to believe that this journey is over.  It has been an amazing ride.  I am so grateful to everyone who helped me get here.  I look forward to what the next chapter in my life brings.  Thank you to the Miss America organization for changing my life and making me the woman I am today.  I am blessed to have been a part of this iconic organization and the amazing Miss New York family.  It is strange to think that my days in pageantry are almost over pending my giving up my title on August 10th but I am ready to move forward.  Onward and upward!

Hugs, kisses and Glitter,

Lonna McCary

Miss Thousand Islands 2013

Bon Voyage!

My send off party this weekend was so incredibly fun.  It was great to have some of my friends who normally don't see that side of me experience the pageant world.  I don't have too many pictures to share with you because I spent a majority of my time there modeling my interview wear, evening gown and talent outfit.  I also got a chance to perform my talent which felt so amazing. 

I want to take a moment to thank the many people who took the time to make me, Joelle and my princesses feel so very special this weekend.  A very special thanks to Julie Bocciolatt and Stephanie Leek for hosting the fabulous party, complete with high heel cupcakes and all!  And my best friend from home, Mary Beth, and her boyfriend for making the long drive up.  I will never forget how great you guys are and how important you made me feel.

Here is a look at a couple shots from the party!

 

Myself and my beautiful court of ladies, (LTR, FTB) Julia, Vern, Joelle and me

 The gorgeous cake that I couldn't eat LOL thanks mom!

 

Me cutting the cake

In other fun news, I went to an appearance at the Buffalo Historical Society with Kristina (Ferris) Blackford and I sold 50/50 tickets.  Thank you for having me, I had so much fun!

  

It's hard to believe Miss NY is so close.  There is still time to vote for your favorite contestant so please, please do!  Follow this link to Miss NY and vote for Miss Thousand Islands!!  Also, please follow me on Twitter at @LonnaLu and instagram at lonnamccary to see all the latest Miss NY updates.  Check out #MissNY2013 as well so see posts from other contestants and friends at the pageant.  I love you all and I am so excited to represent this gorgeous region of New York.  

My Crazy Life

Since I blogged last, I have been traveling a bit and and working A LOT.  I was lucky enough to be able to go down to Virginia and watch my boyfriend graduate from Marine Corps Officers' Basic School.  I have known that my boyfriend was a Marine and that he would lead people into battle but it wasn't until I saw him in uniform, on stage, with his brothers that I truly understood the magnitude of what he has accomplished.  I am so proud of him, I was moved to tears (although I tried to hide them).  You're so awesome babe.

As soon as I came home I started my new job at Local Edge in Buffalo.  I am working as a digital analyst.  Basically I help companies optimize their presence on the local listings sections of Google, Bing and Yahoo.  I never imagined I would be working in the digital marketing field, at all, but I have to say, I truly enjoy it.  It has only been a week but I really like what I do and my co-workers are awesome.

This past Saturday I was honored to attend Stella "Swift"s 10th birthday party!  I praise the lord that she is now in the double digits, she has had a tough road.  If you are not familiar with Stella, please refer to this blog post of mine.  We had tons of fun singing karaoke in her decked out Taylor Swift bedroom and yard games.  Thank you for having me Stella!

I wanted to give a quick thank you to everyone who donated to my 50/50 raffle, and also announce the winner.  Drumroll please...Lynne Cullinan!  Lynne is a mother of five and a New York State Correctional officer. I would also like to give a big thank you to my friend Corey Cruppi who has volunteered to travel to Staten Island and represent Miss TI in the Mr. New York pageant.  The Mr. New York pageant is so much fun and definitely more enjoyable if you have someone to root for! =)

As for Miss New York prep,  I have been practicing my talent with my coach and I have truly enjoyed finding my own voice in such a strong song.  I found that I truly enjoyed what I was doing more when I wasn't trying to fit my voice to the song, but instead fitting the song around my voice.  I am so excited to perform it! =)  Other than talent, I have been physically preparing myself by doing what I do best; running.  Running is obviously amazing cardio, but it also helps me clear my mind after a long day.  Mentally, I have been filling my head with as much current event material as possible.  I pretty much live off of NPR radio.  Emotionally, I have been trying to keep as calm as possible. Constantly centering myself, letting go of the little things and reading my bible and devotional.  The prep is definitely not over but I feel better now than ever.  I am so happy and blessed to have so many people in my life who have helped me get to this point.  I am confident that I will be going to Miss New York as the very best version of myself.

"Werk" shop

I had a great time at workshop this past weekend.  Besides getting to meet the girls I didn't already know, I got to spend some QT with my teen Joelle and really got to know her better.  Fun fact: Joelle and I are both children of servicemen :-)

We also got to work with the fabulous Kent Parham, choreographer extraordinaire and Justin Popovics, nutritionist, pageant trainer and the fiercest diva you will ever meet.  We got to model in swimsuit, work on our walks, perform our talents and get valuable feedback on all of the above.

Here are some shots from the weekend:

 Joelle and Myself, Day 1, making a pit-stop for diner food.  

Us upstate girls love a good, greasy spoon.

 Day 2, taking a break at workshop to pose for Shelb.

 Posing for our class picture, are you getting excited yet?  One of these 24 women will be competing for the title of Miss America!!

After that exciting whirlwind of a weekend I came home and relaxed for about an hour before going back to work. THEN, got an amazing phone call that informed me of an impending job offer.  I had interviewed with a company called Local Edge because a former Miss TI, Kristina Blackford, works there and suggested it to me.  It had been so long since I interviewed that I was starting to think I must have not gotten the position but I finally got a call!  I am so very excited to be starting what I call a "big girl" job in a few weeks.

Today though, I will be heading back to Watertown for the Armed Forces Parade tomorrow morning.  I am very excited, not only because I haven't been in a parade in 7 years but also because I am honored to celebrate this special day with the men and women who dedicate their lives to our country.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

God Bless,

Lonna

Come Sail Away...

I had the most AMAZING trip to Watertown this past Thursday.  About a month ago, my director was approached by the Clayton Antique Boat Museum because they needed a new spokesperson.  They thought, who better to represent the antique speed boat "Miss Thousand Islands II" than Miss Thousand Islands herself?  Good thinking. 

I met up with Mike Folsom and the crew at the museum on Thursday afternoon.  We were afraid that the weather was about to take a turn for the worst but it ended up being more gorgeous than we could have imagined.  Here are some quick Iphone shots of how the day went:

I know, tough life.  I had a ridiculous amount of fun and I even got to keep those awesome genuine Zebrawood sunglasses thanks to Nautique Optix.

As if all of this wasn't cool enough, one of the shots from the shoot will be on a billboard in the Watertown area!!  Oh, and I will be on posters sold at the museum!! =)

As soon as the official shot for the posters/billboards are released, y'all will be the first to know!! EEEEE!  Excited!

Until next time,

Lonna