Mrs. New York title The Mrs. New York America Pageant will be held at the Dome Center on the fairgrounds in Henrietta on June 25 and 26. Ogden resident Debra Sciolino will compete against 30 other women for the title of Mrs. New York America 2004. Sciolino lives in Ogden with her husband, Peter; her two children, Tamara Lynn Burton and Peter Sciolino, Jr., are grown and she has one grandchild, Aric David, who is 2 years old. Joanne Cercone, executive director for the pageant, says the pageant is for women in all phases of life; all shapes and sizes. "We are about celebrating married women. We feel they are the hardest working people in America and we want to applaud them; give them a chance to shine. Married women always put themselves after everyone else. This pageant is their chance to present themselves as individuals; to show that they are still a woman underneath the roles of wife and mother." Sciolino decided to enter this year's pageant after having attended one. "A friend of mine convinced me to attend last year's pageant. I was very impressed. It wasn't simply a superficial beauty pageant. The judges were looking much deeper than surface looks. This inspired me. I have always believed in positive living. I felt by entering the pageant I could help others live the same way." She says she believes that proper nutrition, good sleep habits, and exercise are necessary to keep your life on an even keel. She also says her faith in God helps her keep a positive outlook on life. Most contestants who enter are in their thirties. When Sciolino was asked if she felt nervous going up against much younger women she pointed out that she thinks society has gotten past the point where age is an indicator of beauty. "I've been a hairdresser for 34 years and I know it takes more than just making the outside beautiful. If a woman feels beautiful on the inside that will show to everyone else," she said. The Mrs. America Pageant represents and celebrates married women by promoting the traditional married lifestyle, family, and high moral standards. Pageant Executive Director Cercone of Joanne Cercone Productions, Inc. brought the pageant to Rochester in 1999. A former Miss New York, she and a staff of 100 make the production something truly spectacular. It has grown under her direction from an audience of under 250 five years ago to an audience of close to 1,000 last year. Cercone pointed out that by having the pageant at the Dome it also brings the attention to Rochester. Business sponsors, contestants, and their families come from all over New York to this pageant which is great for the community, she maintains. Last year's Mrs. New York, Melissa Ognibene from Oakfield, NY, went on to compete in the nationally televised Mrs. America pageant in Honolulu, Hawaii. She became second runner-up. For more information about the pageant visit the web site www.mrsnewyorkamerica.com or call Joanne Cercone Productions at 585-225-5795. Contestant applications are still being accepted. Tickets to attend the event will go on sale May 1. Tickets may be purchased from Joanne Cercone Productions, Inc. directly, or at any of the local AAA offices. |
