Hello, and welcome to my blog!  I am thrilled to have been crowned Ms. United States 2008, and am eager to share this journey with you all!  This blog will be the personal diary of my reign, and I will post all that I am doing here.  My website is also updated regularly with photos, and a calendar of events including all of my appearances- msunitedstates08.com. 

Check out what I was doing before winning Ms. United States, on the Ms. New York Blog @ http://blog.msnewyorkus.com.  My previous appearances and charity platform info are posted here.

I am a busy gal, but try to keep everyone informed and updated on all that I'm up to, so check back regularly for updates, and send me your comments & thoughts! 

Let me begin this blog by introducing myself the same way the judges got to know me before meeting me in person:

What ambitions or goals are you striving to achieve now or in the future?

Above all I strive to be an example of good character and optimism in my everyday life and in my professions.  Professionally, my goals are to bring my original musical to Broadway and regional theaters, perform with my dance company G-Volution in numerous productions, and inspire others to live a healthy lifestyle as an image consultant with my sister Liana.

What charity or cause are you representing with your title and why?

Healthy Habits For Life and I aM For Women: Inspiration & Motivation for Women are my two platforms of choice because they are who I am and how I live my own life.  I am working with numerous charity organizations to spread my messages such as The American Heart Association, The New York Youth Bureau, Girls Health.gov, and others.

During your lifetime, what is the best advice you received and why?  

It is cliché, but very true: “Be yourself” is the best piece of advice I have ever received!  There is nothing more fulfilling to me than to be oneself, be an advocate for what you believe in and who you are.  To me, being yourself is to have the courage of your convictions and to live life genuinely.

What famous person would you like to meet and why?

I would love to meet Jack Canfield, the author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and The Principles of Success!   Inspired by Jack’s positive outlook on life and sheer determination to succeed, I would like to learn more about his secrets to success and how to apply them to my life personally.

What is your favorite pastime or activity?

Gosh, even though it is one of my professions…I LOVE to dance!  Dancing is a freeing and emotional experience for me that I love to do alone and also share with others through performance, choreography and teaching.  I feel very blessed to have dancing as one of my careers.

What is your favorite book and why?

There are many books that would fall into this category, but if I had to choose just one it would be How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci.  This is a most fascinating book, literally teaching the reader to develop his/her mind with the same techniques that Leonardo Da Vinci used.  I have now become a renaissance woman!

Who is your role model and why?

I have many role models: My Mother is first and foremost because she has taught me how to be true to myself, to be positive, and to love.  She is one of the main reasons I am the person I am today.  My career role model is Jennifer Lopez with her diversified career as a performer and entrepreneur. 

Tell us one thing that is unique about yourself and why so.

I am a human chameleon!  Like the animal, I easily adapt to different environments while still remaining true to my character.  This makes me unique because I am able to embrace change in an instant, and move forward with grace.