The Megan Pledge

Megan Meier has recently been inspiring students through out the country. How you ask, by the legacy she left after her tragic death on October 17, 2006. The young 13-year-old was the victim of cyberbullying and took her own life after being rejected and verbally beat down by a "peer", who turned out to be a friend's mother, on myspace. Megan's mother, Tina Meier, started the Megan Meier Foundation in hopes that it would help others facing this issue. The mission is to "bring awareness, education and promote positive change to children, parents and educators in response to the ongoing bullying and cyberbullying in our children's daily environment".

Recently, the foundation has launched The Megan Pledge with help from stopcyberbullying.org

You can download each part of the pledge which includes a personal pledge, a teen cyber-safety guide, Megan's story, the polka dot remembrance ribbon, and more.

Please take a moment to read Megan's story and download the pledge, all of which can be accessed through the above like to stopcyberbullying's website.

Miss America's New Home!

Next January, the Miss America Organization will not only be celebrating its 90th anniversary, but also it's return to network television! MAO has signed a three-year contract with ABC and will be broadcast through 2013. I am so excited for this partnership! The organization has worked hard the last several years to re-brand and modernize the title of "Miss America" and this is another step in the right direction.

Here is the direct link to the press release to read more:

Press Release

Catching Up!

I have officially concluded my first year as a college student!

Now I will have the full-time job of perfecting all parts of competition before Miss New York at the end of June. I will be taking a short trip to Texas tomorrow and while I'm there, will be picking up my evening gown!! I can't wait to try it on again and I want to thank Ashley and Jennifer from Lenz Boutique for their help in finding the perfect gown. Check out their website

Claire, Keelie and I had an amazing photo shoot by the Brooklyn Bridge and Times Square with Bianca Thomas. It was a blast and got a little crazy when tourists began to swarm and request their own pictures, but hey, that's all a part of the job!

I'm in the midst of getting in contact with my local representative and Governor David Paterson about Senate Bill No.S 1925-2003, the pending anti-bullying bill. When I return to New York I plan on making a visit to their offices to hopefully figure out who I need to contact.

In other news:

Congratulations to the state of Wisconsin for being the 43rd state to pass an anti-bullying law!

According to bullypolice.org they are still waiting for "Michigan and New York to FINALLY get their law".