STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Eight young women who call Staten Island home are among the delegates competing for the title of Miss New York Saturday evening at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in Peekskill, N.Y.
The winner of that competition will represent the Empire State on the national level at the Miss America Pageant in January of 2025.
Competing for the much-coveted title of Miss New York are:
Alexa Moley, Miss Staten Island, Gabriella Marinelli, Miss Richmond County, Madison Burkhart, Miss Staten Island Teen, and Joann Lee, Miss Richmond County Teen.
They will be joined by four other Staten Island women who won titles in other New York State local competitions: Tatiana Santos Mroczek, Miss Gotham, Nadia Michel, Miss Queens, Nadia Anwar, Miss City of New York and Felicia Gambino, Miss Empire Rose.
Over the last several months, all candidates have been preparing with in-person and telephone interviews with Carmine DeBetta, executive director of the Miss Staten Island/Miss Richmond County Scholarship Pageant, Felicia DeBetta, public speaking and interview coach.
Also assisting in the interview process and talent rehearsals was Ashley Davis, a former Miss Staten Island and Miss Richmond County, and Dawn Macchia, office coordinator and Kristina Ferraro and Al and Lenore Lambert.
The eight delegates are scheduled to arrive several days before the official competition in order to deliver their wardrobe to the theater, take part in rehearsals, fulfill appointments and appearances and prep and polish for their respective interviews.
On the Fourth of July holiday, all Staten Island delegates will participate in the Peekskill Fourth of July Parade with the colors red, white and blue dominating the attire for the parade as a way to celebrate our country’s independence, our flag and the never ending spirit of America.
Later that evening the actual competition will kick off with the first Miss New York delegate’s preliminary.
The second preliminary round will open on Friday July 5, followed by a soiree to feature a meet and greet with all delegates and their guests.
The Teen Finals are set for Saturday afternoon July 6, followed by the Miss New York Finals.
Carmine DeBetta, the executive director of the Miss Staten Island/Miss Richmond County Scholarship Pageant noted: “The Miss Staten Island-Miss Miss Richmond Country Organization would like to wish our delegates much success as they journey upstate to compete in the Miss New York State Scholarship Competition. They have worked hard, selected an outstanding wardrobe and are very prepared to compete.”
“Their interview skills are excellent, their Community Service Initiatives are far reaching and their talents stands out. We have every confidence that they will impress the judges,” said Felicia DeBetta.
Scoring for competitions are as follows: Private interview, 30%, stage interview, 10%, health and fitness, 20%, talent presentation, 20%, and evening wear, 20%.
