So Blessed

I don't have too much to say since the last time I wrote to you all, my heart still hurts for Jamey and his family.  I guess I was just thinking about how fortunate I am to have such a loving and supporting group of friends and family (and of course my "Dream Team").  I feel so lucky that in all this chaos of Graduate School work, two jobs and pageant prep I have so many people who are there to help me whenever I need it.  I would write more but as I said, surrounded by a ton of homework so that is all for now.  I guess I just wanted to say thank you!

Oh, by the way, I got my official Miss America Organization Sash in today =)

I am Jamey Rodemeyer

Surrounded by piles of school work and my Shih Tzu, I have been trying to figure out a way to put into words exactly how I feel about the events of the past day or so.

Jamey Rodemeyer was a 14 year old boy from Williamsville, NY.  This past Sunday, after years of relentless bullying due to his sexual preference, Jamey made the horrible decision to take his own life.

This issue really bothered me not only because it is related to my platform on Teen Domestic Violence Awareness, but also because I felt bullied when I was a middle schooler and a Freshman in high school like Jamey.  I cannot even fathom the constant anxiety today's teenager feels in regards to bullying.  Bullying doesn't just end in school anymore with name calling or throwing someone in a locker, it continues at home.  Teens log into their social media and are flooded with cyberbullying.  Although in today's society there are many amazing artists and public figures reaching out to promote Dignity For Students, I still feel very fortunate that I am not a teenager today.

This is my 9th grade yearbook picture.  Glasses, braces, at-home-highlighted hair; the works.  Needless to say I didn't fit in too well with the all the "popular" crowds during that point in my life (I probably still don't).  It also didn't help that I was a huge choir nerd and developed later than all the other girls thus transforming my current nickname of "Train Tracks" to "The Anorexic Girl."

This was extremely hard for me.  Among other rumors, I actually heard that someone said the only reason I was put on the cheerleading team later that year was because I was bulimic and the only girl they could lift in stunts.  Which is hilarious to me now because I am terrified of heights but at the time had me in tears almost daily.

This recent event is not an issue dealing with gay rights, but an issue of equality, respect and love.  Young people are bullied every day, many of them, like Jamey, for something that they can not change.  It is not someone's responsibility to change how God made them so you can be more comfortable, it is your responsibility as a human being to love one another and accept people for who they are.

My name is Lonna, and I am your Miss Buffalo 2012

Hey everyone!  It is a little bit late so I am going to keep this pretty short.  My name is Lonna McCary and September 4th I was crowned Miss Buffalo 2012 at the Buffalo Wing Festival.  I was so excited, surprised, happy and honored to be chosen to represent my hometown at Miss New York State this June.


So I feel that I should tell you a little more about myself.  I am 21 years old (I will be 22 on October 29th), I was born in Virginia because my dad was stationed with the United States Navy there but I have spent most of my life in the rural suburb of of Silver Creek, NY.  I have an amazing boyfriend who is about to commission as a Second LT in the United States Marine Corps.  I also happen to have four brothers, two sisters, two sets of parents, five dogs and a goldfish named Neville Longbottom.  Having ten people in your immediate family makes Christmas shopping a nightmare but it also keeps me surrounded my love and support which I am so grateful for.

I am sure if I wasn't falling asleep I would have much more to tell you about myself but I will leave you with that for now.  It has only been 11 days since I have been crowned and so far things are great.  Although I am very busy with graduate school work, I feel so fortunate to have found an amazing "Dream Team" within my Miss Buffalo Scholarship Organization family.  My Directors and Coordinators keep me grounded and focused and I'm ecstatic that I get to work with them for the next year!

I will be sure to keep you all posted on events and appearances!


Yours,


Lonna McCary XoXo