Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your visit.

I am so excited to be leaving for Verona, Italy tomorrow. I am off on an Italian adventure to attend the OPERA VIVA program.  I will spend three weeks studying the Italian language, Opera, Opera stage, and preparing for the recitals.  It’s a great program and I look forward to meeting all the teachers, students, guest speakers and June Anderson, a famous Opera Singer who will be working with us.

This is my first time to Europe and I look forward to sharing my adventures and pictures with you. I will post as much as I can.

Even though it’s summer, I still plan on Volunteering, which is something that I love doing.  There are so many worthy charitable causes that need our help, please remember to help where you can.  I’m proud to say that I donate all the proceeds from my music to charity.  You can find my music at www.amandamasonmusic.com, itunes, and other internets music sites.

Thanks for taking the time to view my Blog and for your continuing support.

Amanda Mason
Miss Greater Gotham

So many great things are happening this summer. I have finished my program for my new drug awareness program and it is being reviewed by other NCADD affiliates and Producer Angelique LaCour from Discovery Films who we are working with to develop the DVD and material portion of the program. She has worked on many projects that include issues related to alcohol and drug education with young people as well as adults.

Discover Films is a great fit for the program because it is in line with what are programs goals are. Reaching Youth Before Drugs Do! This award-winning Health Education Video Publisher produces films that address many of the social issues affecting children and adolescents in our communities, like Alcoholism or Drug Abuse, Tobacco Use and Addiction, Decision Skills, and other issues. These videos help community leaders like teachers, counselors, youth group organizers, and law enforcement to educate today’s youth on the hazards of these activities, and offers compelling arguments for prevention, Check our the website at www.discover-films.com

Saturday June 26, is the final night were we find out who wins the title of Miss New York 2010. The day started out with a Fashion Show at Colonie Center Mall in Albany, where we wore dresses sponsored by the Red Carpet (Dress Company, which has beautiful Dresses). Thank you to the Red Carpet! After our fashion show, we ate lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Yummy! I love the Cheesecake Factory, to bad we didn’t have time to try some of their cheesecake. After Lunch we went straight over to the Teen Prelims/Finals Competition. The Teens did an amazing job, I was so proud of them! Congratulations to the new Miss New York Outstanding Teen, …..

After the Teen pageant is was our turn! I really had a great time competing with the 10 other girls that made top 11. It was such a great group of girls. Congratulations to all and Claire Buffie, Miss New York 2010. I wish you great luck at Miss America!

Children's Hospital

When our Tour ended we headed over to the Theater for more rehearsal time to get ready for Prelims, which every contestant is competing in Onstage Question, Swimsuit, Talent and Gown. Prelim night is important because it determines who makes top ten for finals night. The prelim show was very successful and I had a very good time performing. Congrats the prelim winners!

Hospital Tour

Wednesday June 23, after breakfast it was time for rehearsals! We rehearsed from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, going through the entire show. Our Choreographer Kent is so Amazing and Professional, I love working with him. Kent really puts on a great show, Thank you Kent!

Thursday June 24, This morning was one of the most important parts of the Miss New York America competition, my personal interview with the judges. The title of Miss New York is not only a great opportunity but a job, and being able to speak eloquently in front of people is an important part. I love interviews and was excited, I felt my interview went very well. After the interview competition section, it was time to have a technical rehearsal for our talent as well as a run through of the entire show. The backstage and technical crew at the Performing Arts Center at the Albany University were great to work with. Thank you to the crew for all your hard work!