Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino, Keith Lewis and Keylee Sanders, co-directors of K2 Productions, joined Johanna Sambucini, Miss New York USA 2012, on Tuesday to announce the return of the Miss New York USA Pageants to Westchester County in January 2013.
The 2013 Miss New York USA Pageant and Miss New York Teen USA Pageant will be held at the Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase College, Purchase, New York, on January 19-20, 2013.
Astorino, Lewis, Sanders and Sambucini made the announcement today at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel in White Plains, New York, the official host hotel for the 2013 pageants. Also in attendance were New York State Assemblyman Robert Castelli, Miss New York Teen USA® 2012 Sabrina Mastrangelo,
Miss Hudson Valley 2012 Megan Hernandez, and Miss Hudson Valley Teen 2012 Bianca Gallub.
"I am delighted that Westchester County was selected to host the 2013 Miss New York USA Pageant and Miss New York Teen USA Pageant," said County Executive Astorino. "This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase Westchester County to hundreds of visiting contestants and their families, as they stay in our premier hotels, dine at our top-rated restaurants and visit our many cultural and historic attractions during what is typically a slow period in the industry."
Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli, who helped bring the Miss New York USA Pageant to Westchester in 2012, said, "As a strong supporter of the Miss Westchester Pageants, I am pleased to see the pageant return to Westchester and am thrilled our county will again host the Miss New York USA Pageant."
Lewis and Sanders said that last year's pageant drew 300 contestants, attracted about 3,000 show attendees and contributed an estimated $3 million for our local economy. We expect this year to be even better.
Lewis, a native New Yorker, said, "It is such a pleasure to be part of the Westchester community for our second year. I am overwhelmed and proud to have an extraordinarily skilled and passionate staff, volunteers and supporters who share a deep commitment in supporting all the New York contestants and their families. The Westchester County is extremely accommodating and attentive to all of our needs in providing the residents to see not just a pageant, but a colorful competition. We are looking forward to, yet, another successful year. These pageants bring extraordinary beauty from all over New York directly to my hometown, but the bonds built, brings a sense of purpose and empowerment here that is palpable, and inspiring."
Sanders, a former Miss Teen USA, said, "As a long standing member of the Miss Universe Organization, it's an honor to be Co-Director of K2 Productions. We, truly, build and brand these young women with an education for a lifetime, along with building camaraderie amongst women. All of them are smart, strong, have talent and, of course, beautiful; and we make it our goal to teach them how to use their strengths. We provide opportunities for all of the contestants, along with the title-holders. Competing in pageants can provide the necessary fundamentals for a strong and confident future. I am direct result of the power of the pageant."
Sambucini, reigning Miss New York USA®, said, "I have learned through K2 Productions and the Miss Universe Organization how important it is to educate and empower young energetic females, whom our country direly needs. It's been such a pleasure to hold the state title and I look forward to passing along this invaluable education, as well as the coveted title of Miss New York USA 2013 come January."
Young women in New York ages 14 – 27 who want to be trained exclusively by a professional team, and have opportunities to win scholarships and prizes, are encouraged to participate in this year's MISS NEW YORK USA® and MISS NEW YORK TEEN USA® pageant, the official preliminaries to the prestigious MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® pageants.
This year there will be over $300,000 in prizes and scholarships. Some prizes go to all the competitors and many go to the top five. The winner will work directly with the staff at K2 Productions for several media opportunities and help create a platform to brand herself that will last beyond the reign. The winner of Miss New York USA 2013 will have the opportunity to compete at the 2013 MISS USA® Pageant which is televised live on NBC.
For more information on qualifications and the application process, log onto www.missnewyorkusa.com or call (310) 275-4339.
About MISS UNIVERSE, MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA
The MISS UNIVERSE, MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA pageants are a
Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its international grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers by forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as the Aid for AIDS, Latino Commission on AIDS, The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Gilda's Club and Same Sky Trade Initiative. The women who champion these causes during their reign personify the combination of beauty and intelligence, which define the modern woman. For more information, visit: www.missuniverse.com
About Keith Lewis
Keith Lewis was named Director for the MISS CALIFORNIA USA and MISS CALIFORNIA TEEN USA pageants in 2003, under K2 Productions. During his tenure, MISS CALIFORNIA USA has placed nationally in the top 15 every year, including three first runners up to MISS USA. As a twenty-five year veteran in the entertainment industry, he continues to be intimately involved in the recruitment and retention of his pageants. Many have been signed to his prestigious model and talent agency, The Morgan Agency, Inc., located in Hollywood California. Lewis, who is recognized as an expert authority all things beauty and entertainment, has appeared on CNN, FOX, NBC, etc. including episodes of VH1's Charm School. He is also well respected and known for his part as Executive Producer and Co-Originator of the 2007 Sundance Grand Jury nominated Documentary, "For the Bible Tells Me So." K2 Productions signs on for another year as franchise holder for California USA, New York USA and New Hampshire USA.
About Keylee Sanders
Keylee Sanders, former Miss Teen USA 1995, brings her penchant for fashion and style as Co-Director to K2 Productions. Sanders has been seen on The Style Network, Lifetime TV, E!, REELZ Channel, TV Guide, QVC and ShopNBC and contributions in such notable publications as Life & Style, The San Francisco Chronicle and Wall Street Journal – just to name a few. Her Style Studio, located in California, has landed this stylist to the stars on endless "best dressed" lists. Style Studio's client list also includes corporate giants: MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon, print ads for Harpers Bazaar, Ok! Magazine and US Weekly and producer for fashion shows at retailers like Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Macy's, and Edition by Banana Republic. In addition to being a member of Fashion Group International, San Francisco Style Council Best Dressed 2010, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and AFTRA, she is also a proud supporter of amFAR and the NOH8 campaign.
About Westchester County Tourism
Westchester County Tourism, the county's official tourism marketing organization, is a county-operated entity dedicated to building Westchester County's economy and positive image through tourism and convention development, major events, and the marketing of the county on a worldwide basis. The Tourism Office in Westchester County is a Division within the County Executive's Office of Economic Development. The role of the Tourism Office is to promote and coordinate tourist-related activity within Westchester County.