Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Everyone! I had such an amazing time, spent with my family. My brother, Eddie was able to come home from New York and spent a few days at home. As cliche as it may sound, the best gift that I received this year was to have my entire family together for the Holidays.

On Christmas Eve, we celebrate at my Mema and Papa's (Grandparents') house, along with my Father's side of the family. We eat Polish food and open gifts. Later in the evening, we go to my Aunt Josie's house and have Italian desserts until we are stuffed to the brim.

Christmas Day is always spent at my house. We have Christmas dinner and people come and go through the day. This year, I was asked to say the toast at Christmas dinner. It was a very emotional for me because not only was I feeling overwhelmingly blessed, but I was asking for God to watch over my family and especially my cousin who will be deployed in a couple of weeks.

My cousin Jeff joined the Army and will be stationed in Baghdad for 16 months. Having him at Christmas dinner this year was very meaningful to me. I am so proud of him for the sacrifice that he is making in effort to protect our country. He will be in the thoughts of my family... and you can bet he will be receiving a lot of letters! ;)

Merry Christmas, Everyone... Go enjoy some desserts and quality time with family and friends!

Love, Alicia

More Holiday Visits

The holiday festivities have continued! Last Wednesday, Lorraine Gorham invited me to a “Holiday Party” at Dean Vocational High School in Holyoke, MA. I did not receive much information about what this event was about, but being the “up-for-anything-type” gal that I am, I wanted to attend anyway. When I arrived at Dean Vocational, I was very excited to walk into a cafeteria filled with over 400 people who had just got back from “Bright Nights” in Springfield, MA! What a turn out! There were people of all ages present along with a live band. I was quickly whisked away to the front of the room where the band introduced me and I spoke about my job as “Miss Massachusetts”, my platform, and my preparations for “Miss America.” Then I posed for pictures and signed autographs until the event was over. My hand felt like it was going to fall off and my face felt like it was frozen in a smile, but I had so much fun that those things didn't even matter!

The next day, I was fortunate enough to visit Baystate Hospital in Springfield, MA to help “William B. Meyer, Inc.” distribute teddy bears to the patients. I met Ely Dunn and the Representatives from “William B. Meyer” on the Playdeck at Baystate Hospital. Baystate is a “Children's Miracle Network” Hospital and what makes these hospitals so great is that they really make an effort to not only improve the health of the patients, but also the quality of life of the patients. The playdeck at Baystate is like an indoor plaground for children including toys, games, and colorful paintings. It is a place for them to go where they can forget that they are in a hospital and remember that they are children. While delivering teddy bears, I met with man children and families in the hospital. I hope that I brightened their day because they indeed enriched my own.

Thank you to William B. Meyer, Inc, Ely Dunn, and Baystate Hospital. God Bless!

Love, Alicia

Feeling the Holiday Spirit

Happy Holidays to all! This is the first year that my Christmas shopping is not done by now. I guess that I have good reason to be slacking considering that I am preparing to compete for Miss America, but I still feel a tad stressed. I am a person who takes great pride in finding the “right” gift for someone and unfortunately this year, it has been slightly difficult for me to do so because I have been on the go so much.

I have had a very busy December so far. Last Thursday, I attended the lighting of my hometown's “Christmas Scene on Town Common”! The event was held in the center of West Springfield and featured the Middle School Chorus, singing Christmas Carols. I was very excited to meet up with the GirlScouts of Western MA at the event, as well! It is a wonderful feeling to build a relationship with these young girls. I am honored to be a person that can consider a role model... truly believe that with positive role models present in the lives of children, encourage a healthy level of self-esteem. I sang along with the girls and handed out candy canes to the crowd. I was impressed with how many townspeople came out for the event! When the time came for the lights to go on, I was called on stage along with West Springfield's Mayor, Edward Gibson. We counted down from 10 and at 1, the town common lit up and the crowd erupted with cheers!

From there, I continued to spread holiday cheer throughout Massachusetts! On Saturday I marched in the Christmas Parade in Fall River, MA. First off, THANK YOU Bob of Executive Mitsubishi in New Bedford, MA. for donating your time and transportation for the event! The parade included giant balloons, Santa, and even the Grinch.
After the parade, I headed to the official Salon of Miss Massachusetts, STUDIO2000. I was in dire need of a haircut... and a chat session with Jack. Right now, I need to say - Thank you, STUDIO2000! Not only does the staff provide flawless haircuts, but they are the most amazingly talented and spunky beautifiers that you will ever meet. Leaving the salon, I felt refreshed, physically and mentally, and headed off to my next appearance.

Later that evening, I was invited by the “Easton Lions Club” to help light the “Rockery” in North Easton, MA. I was very excited to find out that I would be joined by North Easton native, Katie Vatalaro – “Miss Massachusetts Teen USA”! We chatted a little bit then were led to the microphone to sing Christmas carols... I am NOT a singer and I don't know if she was either, but we made it work and hopefully entertained the large crowd that had gathered. We then counted down the the lighting of the “Rockery”, signed autographs, and took pictures. I want to wish Katie Vatalaro the very best as she continues her year as “Miss Massachusetts Teen USA” and at the “Miss Teen USA” pageant later this year!

The next day, I headed to yet another Holiday Parade... this time in the small town of Maynard, MA. It was FREEZING outside, but you never would have guessed it by the crowd that lined the streets! THANK YOU to Acton Ford for providing transportation for the event! On the way back to Western MA from Maynard, we stopped at the “Natick Collection” for dinner. I was very surprised to see large ads publicizing the reality show “Countdown to the Crown” along with video blurbs featured throughout the mall! Part of me can't believe that I will be on a reality show and part of me doesn't want to believe it! Haha All in a day's work as a state titleholder! :)

Love, Alicia