The opening number was challenging as the contestants and I missed a few marks but over all it came out nicely. I did feel a bit guilty we did not do it perfectly for Lori since she worked so hard on it. I think we all look beautiful in our red dresses.
Next was swimwear and I have to say I was shaking as I walked down the stage. Not sure if it was just me or the shoes but lets just say it was a miracle I did not fall on my face. LOL 
I felt so much more relaxed by the time I took the stage in the evening gown competition. Part of it was that I wanted to show off the beautiful earrings that I made for my gown. I felt really blessed to have 3 other of the contestants wearing my designs as well. 
We all came back on stage after evening gown and were given a very special State Finalist Medal from the reigning queen Lori.
We took a break for intermission and I was able to spend a few moments with my family. My youngest son took me around and showed me all of the "Gift of Love" baskets he had put his tickets in. I also was able to get to spend a moment with all my friends that came out to support me as well. Some came as far as Rochester, Long Island and Norwich NY. A special thanks to all of them!!
It was then time to narrow the field to the top 8. Sheila announced the names: Lisa Christie-Betha, Segal Magori – Goldstien, Flor DeMaria-Hernandez, Kristen Hutchinson, Casie Runner, Melissa Ognibene, Jaqueline Wilder and Lisa Wickman. We all took turns answering a question out of the crystal bowl. Mine was "What is your life time goal and how are you working to accomplish it? I spoke about my personal struggle with depression and how I have made it one of my lifetime goals to help erase the negative stigma attached to this disease in the hopes that no one will ever have to suffer needlessly as I did.
After we all answered our questions Sheila brought our husbands on stage for a little game. She tried to match each husband with their wife. She did a great job and almost had everyone matched correctly. She switched Jackie's and Casie's husband. It was really nice to have Steve on stage with me. Just getting to squeeze his hand made me so much less nervous.
Sheila Strassburg the pageant's director also did a wonderful job MC'ing the pageant and told the audience it was time to give out the speciality awards. Lisa Betha won Mrs. Congeniality. 
Segal Magori – Goldstien was awarded the photogenic award. 
Robin Sherman won the Audience Choice Award and over $500 was raised for Lori's charity "Safe at Home".
Then it was time to say goodbye to one of the best queen's NY has ever seen. Lori took her final walk as Mrs. New York 2007 and was given flowers from her family and her good friend and former Mrs. NY US 2001 Amy Bell.
Now it was time to see who the next Mrs. NY US would be. Lisa Christie-Betha was the 7th Runner-up.
Segal Magori – Goldstien was the 6th Runner-up.
Lisa Wickman was the 5th Runner-up.
Flor DeMaria-Hernandez was the 4th Runner-up.
Jaqueline Wilder was the 3rd Runner-up.
Kristen Hutchinson was the 2nd Runner-up.
Which much to my surprise left me standing next to the very beautiful and kind Casie Runner. I was really honored to be standing next to her as I knew if I was not blessed to win that she would make an amazing Mrs. NY United States.
Sheila then announced that Casie was the 1st runner up!
Which meant that I just won Mrs. New York United States 2008! I was so excited to
be given such an honor and an amazing opportunity!
Thank you to everyone who helped me make my dream of becoming Mrs. New York United States 2008 a reality! I love you all!!
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