Jan 16th-Jan 19th - Miss New York USA 2014!

On Thursday my Mom and I packed up the car and headed to Purchase, NY for Miss New York USA! During the ride we listened to music and talked a little bit about possible questions that could be asked. I kept thinking about how exciting and somewhat surreal it was to finally be going after a dream that I had for years! We arrived at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel and unloaded the car.

In the lobby I saw other contestants and the directors of the pageant Debbie Miller and Cindy Provost. I introduced myself to them and they were so welcoming to everyone. Then my Mom and I brought our luggage to our room and ate at the restaurant. On the way back to our room we noticed a wooden marble run toy in the lounge. My Great Aunt Jo had one that my Mom grew up playing and then I played when I was younger. We felt that it was a sign of good luck and I felt the love and support of Aunt Jo and other loved ones who are no longer with us.

The next morning I got up and did my hair and makeup for interview! As I was walking out the door of our hotel room to register for the pageant and interview with the judges my Mom started playing Eye of the Tiger song haha! We started laughing and marching from the room into the hallway, it was so funny! I kissed my Mom bye-for-now, she wished me luck and then I brought my belongings into a holding room where we were to leave everything until we were given our contestant room keys. I went upstairs to registration where I met hosts Lynn Morehouse and Jim Donovan (13-time Emmy Award recipient). I finished registration and then headed into the ballroom to wait to interview with the judges! When it was close to being my turn, a group of us were taken to another room before going into the interview room. My friend Hannah was a couple of people ahead of me so we wished each other luck!

(With Hannah later backstage in our opening number outfits)

Then I was called into the room and as I did I said an excited hello to the panel of judges! As I walked in they commented on how they loved my interview outfit and asked me to model it so I a did a little spin before sitting down. With the adrenaline I honestly cannot remember every question that they asked but some of the topics we talked about were being a former titleholder and my most memorable moment, my Filipino background, where I make an impact, earning my degree in finance and accounting and my future goals. I was a little nervous at first but the judges were very nice and really wanted to get to know each of us. Afterwards I got changed for rehearsals and visited with with my roommate Amy and other contestants!

Rehearsals began and we started with the opening number dance. We were divided into different groups based on difficulty level and we chose which one we were most comfortable with. When another group was going I realized that I never took a photo in my interview outfit with the photographer! I quickly changed back into my interview outfit and luckily the photographer was still taking photos of contestants who just finished their interviews.

I went back to rehearsals where we were given buttons with numbers on them to organize us until we received our competition banners. After waiting in line I told them my name and they handed me a button with the number 77 on it. My eyes lit up and my heart started pounding! Seven is one of my favorite numbers and I felt like it was a sign from the Universe that I made the right decision to compete this year.

After rehearsal we all went to our rooms and got settled in! The next morning we had breakfast and started rehearsals for the preliminary show. We rehearsed on stage and during rehearsals I had Jacklyn Beauty's team to do my hair and makeup for the show.

Then we had the Preliminary Show where all 171 contestants walked in swimsuits and evening gowns. It went very well except at the very end the finale included all of us walking in our evening gowns in a line down the runway and I tripped a little bit on the train of the gown of the contestant next to me. Overall I had a lot of fun on stage and I was grateful to have my family and friends there supporting me. Back at the hotel I got ready to go to the pasta party!

There was live music by the same talent for the shows, Alex Boye and The Paul Childers Band, and everyone was having fun! I didn't stay too late because I wanted to make sure to get some rest. The next morning was the big day! We boarded the bus to go to the Purchase Performing Arts Theatre and I realized that the bus number was 360. 360 is a special number to Mike, his family and me so I couldn't hep but smile and take that as a good sign too. We rehearsed for the final show and got hair and makeup done while Miss New York Teen USA was going on. We heard over the speakers that Corrin Stallakis won! 

I was in the dressing room talking to the other contestants and practicing questions for the top 5 onstage question. Then it was showtime! We did our opening number dance and then changed into evening gowns for the top 20 announcement. First they announced Miss Amity who was Adrienne Esposito and then I was awarded Miss Photogenic! I had such a great team help me with my headshot (Photographer Carrie Mateosian and Hair/Makeup by Scott Miller) but I was still surprised! 

Next they announced the top 20 and I was the first name called! Then the top 20 walked in evening gown and swimsuits and I had such a great time! After it was time to announce the top 5 and I heard my name! After having rehearsals and the Preliminary Show and the top 20 of the Final Show it felt like I had done the evening gown and swimsuit walks many times so this was the moment where it hit me that this was the real deal! I could not believe that after the top 5 questions there was going to be a new Miss New York USA! The next thing I new I was up to answer the final question. I had been studying current events and final questions for weeks. I knew the hot topics in the news and I was ready to talk about them.

Lynn Morehouse read "If you were to be crowned what would the headline in the New York Times be?" I was pretty thrown off by this question. It does not seem to be that difficult of a question but my mind was not expecting something like that and it required a little bit of creativeness. With a little stumble I answered "Beauty and Brains: Self-Proclaimed Nerd Wins The Title After Earning Degrees In Finance and Accounting." I wish that I had not stumbled when speaking but I thought overall it was a good answer and I just stayed confident when walking on stage. After each of the contestants finished their answers we had a final look where we walked and posed in front of the judges. I knew this was last shot to show them that I had what it took to be the titleholder.

(Top 5 before final look)

Then we went off stage and I knew I gave it all that I had and that the rest was up to the Universe. Backstage the five of us held hands and I said you are all beautiful and whatever is meant to be will be. I thought to myself that I have felt for years that this was the path for me but I knew it could be anyone else's path too especially since these ladies were beautiful inside and out. Then all of the contestants gathered on the stage while Alex Boye performed. 

Then the non-finalists awards were presented which I like that these directors give those awards because it is nice to recognize the contestants who did well in certain areas of the competition. Then it was time to hear the results. "Our fourth runner-up is Michelle Medoff. Our third runner-up is Ana Maria Lawson. Our second runner-up is Brittany Jasenski. We have two ladies left ladies and gentleman. The next name I am going to announce will the be first runner-up.. If Miss New York USA 2014 is unable to fulfill her obligations of the year the first runner-up will assume her title. (At this point we are holding hands and I am basically hyperventilating. I think I said something to Serena like oh my gosh, you are beautiful. Then I tried to clear my mind and just trust that the Universe would put us both on whatever path is meant to be for both of us.) 

Again, the next name I am about to announce is the first runner-up and she is..... Serena Bucaj! Candace Kendall is Miss New York USA 2014!" 

(Photo credit: Regina Wypych Ginetta Photography)

I dropped down with excitement! It was such an incredible feeling realizing that this dream of mine came true! It was one of the best feelings I have ever had! 

It was really a magical moment. Right after the show I took photos with the Top 5, other titleholders and the judges. I was able to hold in my tears until my family came on stage. Seeing my parents. my boyfriend and his family, my best friend and all of my family members that were there touched my heart and made me realize even more the reality of what just happened! 

We went back to the hotel and I saw some more people there and then my loved ones and I got dinner which was very nice. I was so excited about the night and about starting appearances but I finally fell asleep with my crown by my bed! I am so thankful for everyone who helped make this dream come true!