NYC!

Hi Everyone!

This past weekend, I had the most amazing opportunity to travel to New York City. This was the first time I have ever gone and I was SO excited! I’ve always thought of myself as a city girl so this trip was truly a dream.

While in New York, I was blessed with so many amazing experiences. First, I loved shopping in Times Square and going to the huge stores! We completed my MAOT wardrobe and I even found some cute pieces for school. My favorite store that we got to visit was the huge Toys R Us in times square. It was every child’s dream, and apparently mine too! There were several stories filled with toys and games. In the middle of the store, there was a huge ferris wheel that had carts modeled after every kind of transportation toy you can imagine–all the way from hot wheels to barbie jeeps. I also loved the dining in NYC! We got to visit a delicious macaroon store and also enjoy some of the best ramen noodles I’ve ever tasted.

I also got to visit with the fabulous Jason Shaw, along with his husband Michael and their dear friend Ken. They are all such amazing people and I had so much fun spending time with them!

I got to visit the 911 memorial, which was so touching. It has been one of my biggest dreams to visit this memorial and it was crafted amazingly. It was so neat to see so many people visiting the memorial daily to honor our country and the loved ones we lost in the tragedy of 911.

I also participated in a mock interview session with Jason Shaw and several Miss NY contestants! One of them, Acacia Courtney, was a former Miss Connecticut’s OT. They asked such great questions and provided wonderful feedback. I learned so much from them!

One of the most amazing opportunities I had was to visit the Hetrick-Martin Institute. Wow. Their message and their work has completely changed me and has inspired me immensely. They are a transfer school as well as a huge resource for LGBTQ teens. Their gorgeous, colorful campus was adorned in tons of student artwork. Their resources extended beyond the classroom experience and included HIV/AIDS testing, safe sex education, dance and art classes, clothing, toiletries and showers, daily hot dinners, and so much more. I got to speak with communications director Allen Cohen as well as their art director and several teens who had gone through their program. It was incredible to me that all of these people were able to talk to us–complete strangers–with complete assurance that we would accept and love them for who they are. Each of the three students were well on their way to a career and they were able to speak to us with such confidence and poise. This is truly a testament to the success of the HMI and how they have really created a safe space where everybody is accepting and understanding of one another. The work, students, and faculty of the HMI motivate and inspire me, and I hope that I can be a messenger for them and motivate others to create these same safe, accepting spaces in their everyday lives. After talking with them and learning more about their organization I got to tour their beautiful campus and see and meet some of their students at work. I met a student who was an extremely talented artist named Aaron, a beautiful dancer, and many more students. I even taught some of them a few pageant poses  Being in their safe space and being surrounded by them brought me indescribable amounts of joy. I plan on volunteering at their institute next summer!

I invite you to read more about the HMI here: http://www.hmi.org

I had the most amazing time in New York and I feel so blessed with all of the opportunities and experiences bestowed upon me. This was a trip that I will cherish forever. I am so appreciative of all of the support coming from Jason Shaw, my director Mary Ann Owens, the HMI, my parents, and all of the other people who I was touched by during this trip.