Applebee's FUN-draiser!

Well, it happened! I have been so, so busy with every aspect of my life, blogging has, unfortunately, fallen to the wayside. However, Miss Brooklyn is still in the house! This past Saturday, I was joined by Joelle (MBOT), Claire Buffie (MNY), Hannah Wright (Miss Metropolitan) and Kim Cantoni (Miss Richmond County) for the Miss Brooklyn Applebee's Fundraiser. Tickets were sold for $10.00 and they included an entire pancake breakfast! All proceeds will be used to provide scholarships for the new Miss Brooklyn and Miss County Queen. We had some awesome ticket sales!

This fundraiser would not have been possible without all of these AMAZING ladies as volunteers! They were there bright and early to serve the guests who are proud supporters of the Miss Brooklyn Organization! Thank you, ladies! Although Claire and I see each other often, we had a blast catching up with Hannah and Kim on what they have been doing since Miss New York! It was no nice to chat about life, school, happenings and even boys! Haha After the breakfast, we all made our way to DSW for a little shoe shopping adventure and even a picture. DSW is an official sponsor of the Miss America Organization. Thank you DSW!!After our Applebee's event, Claire, Hannah and Kim were able to attend the Relay for Life at the World Financial Center Atrium where they were able to join forces with The Mixx to raise awareness for cancer (Read Claire's Blog Here . Unfortunately, since I'm on a mad hunt for a new apartment, I had appointments (that eventually were canceled) to check out some new places. It was a long day!

Now for the sad part.

I am sad. I am officially REALLY sad that my reign as Miss Brooklyn is coming to an end. Next weekend, we will crown the NEW Miss Brooklyn and also another title Miss County Queen!! As I will be competing in Miss County Queen, I will not be able to relinquish my title officially, but I will be there tapping my little toosh off to try and gain another chance to win Miss NY next year!

If you would like to come out to support me, buy some tickets!

Hope all of you are well!!

Mal

Queens in Kings....Coney to be Exact

Today is the 4th of July! Most people would be spending this day outside with "fun in the sun" in honor of our country's freedom from Great Britain, but not me. Nope! I did that yesterday with the amazing Keelie Sheridan (Miss Greater NYC) and Claire Buffie (the new Miss NY 2010). With combined efforts we had everything from tortilla chips and quacamole to hummus and wheat wraps- not to mention blueberries, blackberries, watermelon and veggies! We spent the much needed day off lounging on the beaches of Coney Island together. It was a blast! Although some of our conversation was "girlie," a majority of it was based on the Miss NY Org. It was great to see the current Miss NY really seeking our advice on how we think the organization can grow as whole and also how we can all work together to see that happen. I am so grateful for this experience in the MNY pageant and the wonderful opportunity to meet these amazing women. It was clear, after yesterday, that the three of us are so passionate about what this program has to offer each young woman... each of us has such a unique perspective and it was awesome to bring the three of them together and really be able to brainstorm for what's to come.After the beach, Claire and I were able to meet up with Jackie Holmes (Miss Manhattan) to do a late birthday celebration at a DELICIOUS Mexican restaurant in Hell's Kitchen. How amazing is it that we were all able to find these friendships through the Miss America Organization?! This is what the organization is about... finding the balance of personal gain and friendships. MNY/MAO is so much more than a pageant or competition- it's a life-changing opportunity to find yourself and grow through comradery and friendships as well. I am so proud to know each of these women and I look forward to hopefully spending many years to come laughing around restaurant tables in NYC or completely frying on the beaches on Coney Island.

I can't wait for next weekend!!


Mallory

Miss New York- The Aftermath!

Joelle and I after the Miss NY's Outstanding Teen Pageant where she also finished 1st Runner-up!

Oh my goodness! I think I am finally rested! Today is the first day I was able to sleep late and it was fantastic! What a wonderful week I had in Albany and I could not be more proud to announce Claire Buffie, Miss Southeast NY, as the new MISS NEW YORK 2010!!! Finishing first runner up was quite the honor! I left with a little over $4,000.00 in scholarship money to put towards school! THAT is amazing and will certainly be helpful in the coming months as I decide where and what school that I would like to attend!
Claire and I, along with a few others, had a GREAT week together hanging out and enduring rehearsals. I had the most amazing experience- one that I will treasure forever. The week was full of many exciting activities, some of which I was able to tell you briefly about in my last post. Also, congratulations to Ali Stroming, Miss New York's Outstanding Teen! Ali is a BEAUTIFUL ballet dancer and young woman as well. She will surely make the state of New York proud at Miss America's Oustanding Teen in August!

By Saturday night, my feet were killing me, but I was so happy to have had such a wonderful week with so many amazing ladies! One of my favorite people of the week, though, was Mrs. Diane. I'm sure that all of the girls can attest that she was the most loving, motherly figure for all of us during our stay! All of the directors and board members made the week so relaxed and fun- I truly could not have asked for more.

Now on to more appearances! As listed before, on July 11th hopefully a few of us will be on a Princess and Pirate kiddie cruise around Manhattan! Following that, on the 25th, Joelle and I will be making a huge appearance at the Brooklyn Cyclone's Game. I am SUPER stoked about both of those! As of now, I still have not heard back from Boys and Girls Club or Girls Inc., but I am certainly trying. Keelie gave me some great advice about how to get through...so hopefully that will work out soon.

Along with my Miss Brooklyn agenda, I have decided I am ready to splash into the land of the entertainment industry! So... if anybody knows anyone, let me know. I am ready! I went on my first audition yesterday for Celebrity Cruise lines- let's keep our fingers crossed!

Love you all and THANK YOU for all of your support!

Mal Pal Little Gal

Mr. New York 2010

Joelle and I found a stretch limo to pose with!

Quick photo before the pageant!

Joelle and I with the first Mr. New York!

Last night was the first ever Mr. New York Pageant! Held at the Spoon Theater in Midtown Manhattan, 13 charming and quite handsome fellas competed for the inaugural title. It was a hit! They strutted their stuff in front of a packed audience and a panel of six very qualified judges including Miss NY 2008 and 3rd Runner-up to Miss America, Leigh-Taylor Smith. The guys were great!! Each one of them answered an on-stage question, modeled a swim suit, performed a talent and competed in evening wear. Jeoffrey Watson, Mr. Staten Island, blew the judges (and the audience) away. Miss Brooklyn's Outstanding Teen, Joelle, performed as well. Jeoffrey took home the talent award, swim suit award and the title of Mr. New York! He won over $1000.00 in cash and prizes along with a trip to see the Miss NY pageant in the coming week. The pageant proceeds went to Children's Miracle Network and general funds needed for the reigning Miss Greater NYC, Miss Southeast NY and Miss Liberty contestants for Miss NY. I certainly hope that the fundraiser was a success! I had a blast and I am so thankful for the chance to see many of the Miss NY contestants again before we head off to Albany for the week!The two of us with Rene Bionat a new friend of ours and director of Mr. New York!

Taste of Times Square

Want to talk about one of the most amazing things i've done since living in New York? Great! Me too! This past Monday, Joelle and I were so fortunate to be asked to participate in the Taste of Times Square event and perform for World Heritage Cultural Center. I will say, we had no idea what to expect, but it was amazing! We arrived to all of 46th street and the Times Square area blocked with tables and tables and TABLES of Times Square restaurants! We all know I do not discriminate when it comes to food and this was absolutely no exception! We were able to hang around the WHCC stage for a while before and after performing, making this experience truly remarkable. I performed the tap dance that I will be taking to Miss NY and Joelle sang the Leonard Cohen song made popular by the Canadian Tenors "Hallelujah."


We were followed by some great acts! There were salsa dancers, Bollywood performers, Rappers and so much more. World Heritage Cultural Center's goal was to bring different types of entertainment to the Taste of Times Square and they did a fabulous job! It really is hard to believe that I had the chance to perform in Times Square. It just goes to show that one tiny conversation can lead to a world of opportunities. Thank you Sattie and JuanCarlos of WHCC- we really appreciate you including us in such a big way!

Headshots for Miss NY 2010

I can't believe it has taken me this long to mention my head shots for Miss New York. I was SO excited about them! I had the pleasure of working with my good friend, Eric Hopf, and his wonderfully creative eye. He was kind enough to shoot the photos, email them for review and edit them all within three days. We were working with a deadline and he came through! Anyway, I thought I would do my best to share his work with you all via my blog. So- here are the photos that made the final cut. Above, the ones we loved but weren't quite it. The one below took the cake for the judges book!!!!!

You can check out Eric's fabulous work at WWW.Hopfoto.com- he's amazing!

Speaking of photos, Amaris and our wonderful PR representative for Miss Brooklyn were able to score a photo shoot for me for Supermodels Unlimited (the magazine)! Last Friday, I met with famous photographer Steve Azzera to do a shoot that will hopefully appear in the Rising Stars and Most Beautiful section of the publication. THAT, my friends, is SUPER DUPER exciting! I would include the photos from the shoot, but that will get me in trouble :P

I have a lot of exciting appearances coming up- i'll be sure to keep you posted.

Muah!

Miss New Generation Pageant

KayAna Williams and I after her performance on stage.

Hello, all!

So I had my first appearance today. Boy, do I miss having my own car! It took me FIVE busses to get to good 'ole 48th street and Farragut for the Miss New Generation pageant, but it was absolutely worth it! Although, I'm sad to say, I didn't get to stay for the entire thing. :( (Miss Brooklyn has to make rent somehow!)

However(!), I was thoroughly impressed with all of the young ladies who competed this afternoon! According to their lovely mistress of ceremonies, Amaris, each of these aspiring beauty queens met for a month before today to rehearse their production. Considering that the contestants were all under the age of 10, I would have to say that's an accomplishment in itself. They began the afternoon with a crowd- pleasing production number (which I've posted a small portion of below), followed by special entertainment from a charming gentleman, Damien. KeyAna Williams (former Miss Brooklyn's Outstanding Teen- pictured above) took the stage with an up-beat jazz dance as well. The first phase of competition for the girls was "Outfit of Choice." Each young lady was asked to pick an occasion and dress accordingly. They were really creative! My favorite was Allison Paul. Allison chose a "tea party" for her special outing and her attire was complete with a tea cup and teddy bear. The last phase of competition I was able to stay for was talent. I've included a short clip of Ashanti Davis' rendition of "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. All of the girls were fantastic!

I hate it, but I still do not know who won! I'm sure I'll be seeing an update soon...

Hey I'm just glad there will be a new "queen" to take over the Brooklyn media!

A big thanks to Jay and Mary for their wonderful 'reality' video on the Miss Brooklyn pageant.

www.thebrooklynink.com/tag/mallory-hagan/

A few more articles...

www.gothamist.com/2010/.../a_new_miss_brooklyn_has_been_crowne.ph

www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/.../33_14_ac_miss_brooklyn.htm

www.nypost.com/.../here_she_is_your_new_miss_brooklyn_ psxCfDR8wVzEFWMSpAURjN

www.nyprdiva.wordpress.com

Later gators!

Mal

Wow!

What an honor, Brooklyn!

It has only been three days since I was fortunate enough to receive the title of Miss Brooklyn 2010 and the response from everyone has been absolutely overwhelming. This past Sunday was such an eventful one, but I could not have accomplished anything this weekend without the support of my family. Thank you Mom, Dad, Kerri and Marty for coming all the way to New York to cheer me on in this endeavor. I know that I made it through this weekend because all of you were here! Also, a big thank you to Joe, Travis and Ben for being such great sports and supporting me always! It appears that I have been welcomed into the Miss Brooklyn Scholarship Organization with open arms and I cannot wait to represent this amazing borough.

I would like to acknowledge all of the young women who competed for the title on Sunday; Teresa, Aubrie, Venuza, Ireen, Sydney, Christina, Amanda and Breanna, I had such a GREAT time getting to know you all. You were the nicest, most genuine girls I have ever come in contact with back stage and I hope that each of you will continue on the journey that is the Miss New York/ Miss America Organization (I know we all talked about how beneficial it is!).

As soon as they crowned me, Amaris (I'm sure I will be referring to her quite a bit from now on... she is the new Miss Brooklyn Org. Director) said to me "get ready for a crazy year because it will never stop!" I'm already beginning to think that she is right and I LOVE it! I thrive on being busy and I am already enjoying the many press emails for write- ups in local papers. I look forward to the appearances and opportunities that will help me promote my platform, the Dove: Campaign for Real Beauty and Miss America's Platform: Children's Miracle Network.

The Campaign for Real Beauty was created by Dove to "help free the next generation from self- limiting stereotypes." If I can be a part of that mission and dream by reaching just one young woman throughout my journey as Miss Brooklyn, I will consider my reign a success. An only child, I was "raised by the village" in many ways, but the most important thing to me has always been the level of support from my family and friends. My "pseudo dad," Sean, once quoted to me "To whom much is given, much is expected." I have been given the gift of endless encouragement and support (along with quite a bit of financial help). I realize that there are many girls here in Brooklyn, in our great state and in this country who go weeks or months without so much as a pat on the back. My goal is to reach out to those young girls through educating them on body image and promoting a clearer definition of beauty. My hope is that this blog will allow you to follow me on that path.

Aside from my platform and the obvious excitement of going to the Miss New York state pageant, I hope to share my zest for life with the people of Brooklyn. Although i'm originally from Alabama, in the time i've spent in New York, Brooklyn has grown very close to my heart. I love New York (and not in a tourist t-shirt kind of way) dearly and I truly believe this is the city where dreams come true. Thank you, Brooklyn, for helping me get one step closer to mine. :)

Here's a link to the Brooklyn Eagle write-up about this past weekend.

http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=31&id=34475

I'll be keeping you posted on my up-coming adventures!

Mal