The Road to Miss America – Miss New York 2017
This past weekend we spent in Staten Island, as 31 amazingly talented, young women, competed for the title of Miss New York 2017. With two days of preliminaries, and winners each evening, it was difficult to say who would go home with the crown, and move on compete for the title of Miss America this September. After picking the top 11 contestants, they narrowed it down to five, and then it was the moment of truth. But the judges were able to pick just one, and this time it was a University at Buffalo law student - Gabrielle Walter - who was crowned as the new Miss New York.
Part of her winning scores were tabulated based on her talent performance, for which she performed, All I Ask of You, from the musical, Phantom of the Opera.
Fun Fact: Gabrielle established a program called DreamUp New York, a goal-setting workshop for students. As part of the prize package, a $10,000 scholarship as granted to Gabrielle Walter, provided by the Empire State Educational Scholarship Fund.
The 1st Runner Up, obtaining a $5,000 scholarship was, Mackenzie Perpich, Queens. The scholarship was provided by the Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen Program.
The 2nd Runner Up, obtaining a $4,000 scholarship was, Stephanie Meadowcroft, Greater NYC. The scholarship was provided by the Children’s Miracle Network Disbursement Fund.
The 3rd Runner Up, obtaining a $3,000 scholarship was, Baylee Simpson, Upstate New York. The scholarship was provided by the Empire State Educational Scholarship Fund.
The 4th Runner Up, obtaining a $2,000 scholarship was, Rahmeka Cox, Empire Star. The scholarship was provided by Marathon Asset Management and Investors Bank.
Other awards for the evening were:
Miss America Academic Award, of a $1,000 Scholarship, was awarded to Victoria Opalka, Montgomery County. The scholarship was provided by the Miss America Organization
Miss America Community Service Award, a $1,000 scholarship, was awarded to Rahmeka Cox, Empire Star. The scholarship was provided by the Miss America Organization
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Maker, a $500 scholarship, was awarded to, Cassie Paradise, Finger Lakes. The scholarship was provided by the Children’s Miracle Network Disbursement Fund.
The Top Eleven Semi-Finalists each obtained a $500 scholarship. The Top 11 finalists also included: Nina Zesky (Liberty), Shereen Pimentel (Heart of New York), Meghan Sinisi (Central New York), Ashley Marie Davis (Richmond County), Olivia Grant (Thousand Islands), and the People’s Choice: Cedar Chambers (Pride of New York).
Check out more pictures from Gabrielle’s crowning moment, thanks to P.G. Photography!
