Hamptons Heart Ball 2013

   Happy Sunday, everyone! On June 29, I was able to attend the 2013 Hamptons Heart Ball. Each year the Hamptons Heart Ball raises thousands of dollars for the American Heart Association. This was my first year attending, and I was so excited to be manning the advocacy table! I was able to talk to attendees about two petitions I asked them to sign. One petition asks for CPR to be a high school graduation requirement in all New York State schools. The second petition asked for all New York City schools to offer 30 minutes of quality physical education classes each day. Here are some pictures from the Heart Ball:

At the advocacy table! So happy I could do what I love- raising awareness!

With the 2013 Heart Hero, Caroline Loeb!

With the inspirational Star Jones!

   I would like to thank everyone who helped to make the Heart Ball such an amazing event. We raised so much money and awareness for the American Heart Association that night, and that is truly what it is all about!

XOXO,

Sarah

Victorian Flatbush House Tour and Pageant Prep Day!

   Hey everyone! On June 9, I hopped in the car with my mom and drove to Brooklyn for a day full of excitement! Our first stop was at Angela Sbano's beautiful home for the Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Pageant Prep Day. Ms. Angela is a contestant coordinator for the Outstanding Teen contestants and graciously opened her home so that we could prepare for the upcoming Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Pageant. The contestants and I had a great morning speaking about our platforms (click here to read about mine!), running our talents, and getting to know Shannon Ryan, Miss New York's Outstanding Teen 2012. I received so much advice that I can put to use as I prepare for the state pageant.
   After a morning of pageant prep, some of the Miss contestants dropped by, and we all headed to our next destination: the Victorian Flatbush House Tour Press Conference. At the press conference, I was honored to sing "God Bless America" for all of the speakers and cameras. It was a great experience! After the press conference, all of the contestants volunteered at the Victorian Flatbush House Tour. Here are a few pictures from the day:

With all of the teen contestants who were able to make it out to Brooklyn that day!

With my great friend, Alexa!

The Teen and Miss contestants who were able to help volunteer that day!

Laughing with Shannon, Miss New York's Outstanding Teen, about something! Shannon introduced me at the press conference, where I sang "God Bless America". Thanks for the great introduction, girl!

Opening the Victorian Flatbush House Tour Press Conference by singing, "God Bless America". What a great experience!

With Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz! He was such a nice man, and really fun to be around. Thank you for the Brooklyn pin, Mr. Markowitz!

With some more of the Teen and Miss contestants. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the girls so much better! I can't wait for July!

    Special thanks go to the Flatbush Development Corporation for putting together such a fun community event, and for allowing all of the contestants to volunteer for your cause! Also, thank you to  contestant coordinator, Angela Sbano, for not only inviting us to take part in this wonderful event, but for opening your home up to us all and for your great hospitality.

XOXO,

Sarah

Cedarhurst-Lawrence Memorial Day Parade

   On May 27, I was honored to participate in the annual Cedarhurst-Lawrence Memorial Day Parade! What an exciting event! I was able to meet so many nice people, especially the mayor of Cedarhurst, Andrew Parise. After speaking with Mr. Parise, I learned that his family lived in Hampton Bays, which is very close to my neighborhood! I had a wonderful time during the parade, and I enjoyed the ceremony that happened after the parade. Here are some pictures from the parade and festivities!

On the Leonardo DaVinci Lodge float!

With my friend, and fellow contestant, Marisa, at the parade. She rode with me on the float!

With Mr. Parise, the mayor of Cedarhurst.

Waving during the parade!

Taking pictures after the post-parade ceremony.

   I had only been in Cedarhurst for a few hours, but it was easy to see everyone's spirit. Everyone came together and unified to celebrate those who died to for our freedom, and that was a beautiful thing to see.

   A big shout out goes to Mr. Berkins for inviting me to participate in the parade. I would also like to thank the mayor of Cedarhurst, and everyone who put the parade together. It was truly a wonderful event that I hope I can be apart of again someday.

XOXO,

Sarah

Long Island Heart Ride Water Stop

   Hello, everyone! For the past 3 years, I have volunteered to help at the annual Long Island Heart Ride by distributing water, snacks, and other items that the bikers might need during their ride at a Water Stop. This year, I was happy to manage the first of three water stops on the bike route. I met so many wonderful people who were riding in the Heart Ride, all of which were either biking 100 miles or 50 miles. I was so inspired by the riders and their passion for staying active and raising awareness with the American Heart Association. Here are some pictures from the Water Stop!

With some of the riders as they were passing through the Water Stop!

The riders were so upbeat after finishing their 20th mile!

Me at the Water Stop!

   I am so glad I was able to be apart of the Long Island Heart Ride for a third year. The Heart Ride is one of my favorite volunteer opportunities, and I look forward to it each year. Thank you to the Heart Ride staff for allowing me to come back and volunteer, and for allowing the event to run smoothly!

XOXO,

Sarah

Children's Miracle Network Fundraising

   Hello, everyone! I would like to take a moment to talk to you all about the Children's Miracle Network. The Children's Miracle Network works to raise money for over 150 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada. The funds raised by the Children's Miracle Network are used by these hospitals for research, equipment, and uncompensated care for ill children. This organization is truly an amazing one.
    The national platform of Miss America's Outstanding Teen is the Children's Miracle Network. Because of this, all Outstanding Teen contestants are encouraged to raise funds for this wonderful organization. I believe strongly in the mission of the Children's Miracle Network, and have decided to set a fundraising goal for myself. My goal is to raise $500.00 for this organization, but I cannot reach my goal alone. That is why I am reaching out to all of you. I have set up a personal fundraising page and am gladly accepting donations in order to reach my goal. With your help, I can not only raise $500.00 for the Children's Miracle Network, but we can also make the dreams of millions of children come true. Click here to view my fundraising page if you are interested in donating.

Here's a screenshot of my personal fundraising page!

   Also, stay tuned for more posts about what I've been up to with my platform, as well as upcoming events!

XOXO,
Sarah

Click here to view my fundraising page and to make a donation.
Click here to learn more about the Children's Miracle Network.

Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Workshop!

   From May 10-11, 2013, I attended the Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Workshop! As a part of the workshop, my fellow contestants and I reviewed important information about the pageant in July. We also attended workshops on stage presence, nutrition, talent, and much more!
   It was so much fun getting to reunite with old friends, and meet new friends too! I bonded with all of the girls and I know that we are all going to have a great time come July for the Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Pageant. It was such an honor meeting all of the smart, talented, and sweet ladies that represent the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Organization!

   Thank you to Linda Monte, our director, and Linda Carbo, our contestant coordinator, for making sure the workshop taught us all of the valuable information we will need for the competition in July! You two are fabulous! I would also like to thank Kent for taking us through a run-through of the show and making sure all of our questions were answered. I want to thank Heather as well for taking us to all of our workshops, and for giving us all feedback on our talents. Lastly, thank you to all of the volunteers who took time from their day to help out the Miss New York and Miss New York's Outstanding Teen contestants prepare for the state competition!

I can't wait until July!

XOXO,

Sarah

New York Pops Birthday Gala at Carnegie Hall

   Wow! I can't believe it is already May! It seems like its only been a few days since I've posted! Time sure does fly when you are having fun and keeping busy like me!
   In January, I auditioned to sing at Carnegie Hall with Camp Broadway as a part of the New York Pops Birthday Spring Gala. I had performed at the Gala with Camp Broadway in 2012, and had such a fun time that I decided to audition again (read my post about last year's performance here). After a few months of eagerly waiting, I found out that I, along with 64 other kids from around the country, had been chosen to perform again at Carnegie Hall!
   Rehearsals kicked off on April 27 in New York City. I was thrilled to see some familiar faces at the rehearsal as well! Many of my friends from performing at the Gala last year had come back to sing again, as well as my friend from the plays Drop Dead Juliet and Everything I Needed to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play that we had performed in a few months before (such a small world!). I also met a lot of new friends at rehearsals as well!
   As part of the program, I was able to meet some really cool Broadway stars from the show The Phantom of the Opera (one of my absolute favorite shows), and participate in special acting and musical theater workshops with them!
   Before we knew it, the day had come for us to perform a "Gypsy Medley" on the Carnegie Hall stage! The performance went really well, and we all had a lot of fun performing for so many people. Did I mention that some of us bumped into Megan Hilty from SMASH backstage?! She is so beautiful and sweet in person! Here are some pictures of me and my new and old friends!

This picture is extra special to me. This is my friend Jessica and I- Jessica was my first friend EVER at Camp Broadway last year. She's one of the greatest friends a girl could ask for!

   As always, there are always so many people to thank! First, thank you to my mom who took me to the city every morning for rehearsals! Next, thank you to all of the wonderful staff at Camp Broadway who made sure we were prepared to perform at Carnegie Hall! Lastly, thank you to the New York Pops and the awesome crew and staff at Carnegie Hall who worked so hard to put a great production and concert together!

XOXO,

Sarah