Amanda Mason

Hello from Amanda!

Amanda — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:59:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your visit.

It’s hard to believe summer vacation is almost over. I had so much fun and learned so much in Italy at the OPERA VIVA program. If your interested in an overseas Opera program then OPERA VIVA is a great choice.

I’ve been back in the states for three weeks and working everyday with Producer Joshua Thompson. I just finished my first song called “One Day At a Time” and I’m excited to start the second one. It has been a really great experience and I’m learning so much.

I’m also looking forward to starting school next week.

I know everyone is so busy, but Volunteering is so important and many others need our help, so please remember to help when you can. I’m proud to say that I donate all the proceeds from my music to charity. You can find my music at www.amandamasonmusic.com, itunes, and other internets music sites.

Thanks for taking the time to view my Blog and for your continuing support.

Amanda Mason
Miss Greater Gotham

Youth Drug Awareness Program Update

Amanda — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 01:50:28 +0000

So many great things are happening this summer. I have finished my program for my new drug awareness program and it is being reviewed by other NCADD affiliates and Producer Angelique LaCour from Discovery Films who we are working with to develop the DVD and material portion of the program. She has worked on many projects that include issues related to alcohol and drug education with young people as well as adults.

Discover Films is a great fit for the program because it is in line with what are programs goals are. Reaching Youth Before Drugs Do! This award-winning Health Education Video Publisher produces films that address many of the social issues affecting children and adolescents in our communities, like Alcoholism or Drug Abuse, Tobacco Use and Addiction, Decision Skills, and other issues. These videos help community leaders like teachers, counselors, youth group organizers, and law enforcement to educate today’s youth on the hazards of these activities, and offers compelling arguments for prevention, Check our the website at www.discover-films.com

Saturday- Last day at Miss New York

Amanda — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 01:24:16 +0000

Saturday June 26, is the final night were we find out who wins the title of Miss New York 2010. The day started out with a Fashion Show at Colonie Center Mall in Albany, where we wore dresses sponsored by the Red Carpet (Dress Company, which has beautiful Dresses). Thank you to the Red Carpet! After our fashion show, we ate lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Yummy! I love the Cheesecake Factory, to bad we didn’t have time to try some of their cheesecake. After Lunch we went straight over to the Teen Prelims/Finals Competition. The Teens did an amazing job, I was so proud of them! Congratulations to the new Miss New York Outstanding Teen, …..

After the Teen pageant is was our turn! I really had a great time competing with the 10 other girls that made top 11. It was such a great group of girls. Congratulations to all and Claire Buffie, Miss New York 2010. I wish you great luck at Miss America!

Friday- Fifth Day at Miss New York

Amanda — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:59:47 +0000

Children's Hospital

Friday June 25, was the the big night for the pre-lim competition. The contestants first started the day out with a Tour of the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center. It was an amazing tour and I was so honored to be apart of the Children’s Miracle Network Organization that gives funds to hospitals like the one we visited today. During our visit we had the opportunity to see a 1 pound 8 day old baby. I have never seen a baby that was born prematurely and that experience opened my eyes to a whole new world. Marcus, the baby’s name was so precious and so little that my heart just skipped a beat. I will keep Marcus in my prayers, but I know from the tour he has great medical care.

When our Tour ended we headed over to the Theater for more rehearsal time to get ready for Prelims, which every contestant is competing in Onstage Question, Swimsuit, Talent and Gown. Prelim night is important because it determines who makes top ten for finals night. The prelim show was very successful and I had a very good time performing. Congrats the prelim winners!

Hospital Tour

Wednesday and Thursday- Third and Fourth Day at Miss New York

Amanda — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:57:33 +0000

Wednesday June 23, after breakfast it was time for rehearsals! We rehearsed from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, going through the entire show. Our Choreographer Kent is so Amazing and Professional, I love working with him. Kent really puts on a great show, Thank you Kent!

Thursday June 24, This morning was one of the most important parts of the Miss New York America competition, my personal interview with the judges. The title of Miss New York is not only a great opportunity but a job, and being able to speak eloquently in front of people is an important part. I love interviews and was excited, I felt my interview went very well. After the interview competition section, it was time to have a technical rehearsal for our talent as well as a run through of the entire show. The backstage and technical crew at the Performing Arts Center at the Albany University were great to work with. Thank you to the crew for all your hard work!

Tuesday- Second Day at Miss New York

Amanda — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:37:19 +0000

Painting

Tuesday June 22, After breakfast all the contestants left to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. We (the contestants) split off into groups of 10 and I went to the restock warehouse. Were not only did I sort with two other girls over 500 knobs and hinges out of their plastic bags, but helped paint a wall that was 50 wide by 25 tall. We painted it a light blue, so I was excited because blue is my favorite color. It was so great volunteering and spending time with my fellow contestants. I am so excited I had an opportunity to get to know the girls more. After being there for four hours, lets just say we got a lot done, we had two more stops. We went to the capital for a visit which was exciting. We were introduced in the assembly and had an opportunity to take several pictures with the senators and representatives. Our last visit was to Girls Inc. which is a girls organization that inspires girls to be strong, smart and bold. So all the girls were able to ask us questions and we got to crown them with our crowns. It truly was a memorable experience. After our visit and dinner, the day wasn’t over. We them had dance rehearsals for the opening number. Kent our choreographer is AMAZING! I love working with him. He is so professional and creative he makes the production fabulous! Thank you Kent!

Monday- First Day at Miss New York

Amanda — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:38:15 +0000

Traveling to the Duck Tour

Monday June 21 at 8:00 am Ricardo, Hannah (Miss Metropolitan), Jackie (Miss Manhattan), my Mom and myself all left NYC in a limo (which thankfuly fit all of our lugagge in the car) to go to Albany for the Miss New York Pageant. We arrived and checked into our dorm rooms, which were so nice around 11:00 am. Our dormrooms had two girls to each room and not only did we have our own rooms, but our own bathroom and shower (for each girl). Those are very important for pageant preparation, because there is so much makeup! After orientation we went straight over on the Duck Tour that took us around Albany. Albany is so beautiful, especially all of the beautiful Dutch architecture. After the duck tour we all went to dinner at Angelo’s 677 Prime (Miss NY sponsor) for a delicious steak dinner! It was an amazing night.

Jackie, Hannah and Amanda (sister queens)

MUSIC PRODUCER JOSHUA THOMPSON AGREES TO DO MY NEXT SINGLE!

Amanda — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:47:17 +0000

Early Clover and Joshua Thompson will be working with me on my new up and coming single!

JOSHUA PAUL THOMPSON has agreed to write and produce my next single. We are currently working on the song and hope to have it complete by the end of this month. Since I sing both Opera and Pop we are creating a mixture of sound that will entertain not only adults, but our young age audiance.

Mr. Thompson was the Producer/Writer for Alicia Keys smash album, Songs in A Minor (”Girlfriend”), Vandrosss single “Heaven Can Wait”, George Benson’s record, Six Play, artist JOE, along with hits such as “Faded Pictures” and “All The Things”, are just a few of his successes.

Mr. Thompson’s connection to music extends past the songwriting and producing element. He sees music as a way of telling stories. His powers of observation are such that in almost every situation he hears a song. “The levels of creativity should never end,” Thompson says, “If you think you have it all then the music suffers.” He also adds that there must be some form of the truth in the lyrics of the songs he’s crafted.

He is the perfect Producer for my new song, as it will be used in my volunteer efforts throughout New York and the country. His passion for music is noticed around the world and I believe he truly understands the importance of the lyrics and music that I need capture my audiances everywhere. As the Youth Spokesperson for the NCADD and our new program for Middle School Students, it is extrememly important to have a song that they can identify with in a positive manner as well as others who are in recovery or just needing a feel good song.

I certainly don’t want to leave out Early Clover, who is an amazing entertainer and wonderful man. He has big very instrumental is helping me excel at my career goals. He is also collborating on my song. I’m excited too that he is coming our soon with a new CD and book about his life story. For those of you don’t know Mr. Clover, he is the lead singer with the Coaster’s who sing music from the 70’s and a headliner in Las Vegas.

I feel very blessed to have this opportunity and look forward to working with Joshua and Early.

VOTE FOR AMANDA: FOR YOUR FAVORITE CONTESTANT

Amanda — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:36:34 +0000

VOTE for your FAVORITE Contestant continues till Saturday, June 26th, 2010, YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

You can make the difference in awarding a Favorite Contestant scholarship award to a Miss NY Contestant.

Each vote will be $1.00 via Google Checkout’s secure servers. You can vote as many times as you like.

The Miss contestant and Teen contestant who receives the most internet votes by 12 noon, Saturday, June 26th, 2010, combined with voting held at the pageant during preliminary competition (through intermission on Friday Night), will win the 2010 Scholarship Award for Favorite Contestant for Miss Pageant.

Total scholarship awards for the winner of the “Miss” favorite contestant will be announced on stage at the MIss NY Finals.

VOTE NOW!

Children’s Miracle Network Donation

Amanda — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 03:47:48 +0000

You probably already know that I’m very involved with the Miss America Organization, but you probably didn’t know that I’m also working closely with Children’s Miracle Network to raise funds for local children’s hospitals. The Miss America Organization has teamed up with Children’s Miracle Network to help raise money for children’s hospitals in communities throughout the United States. The money I raise will benefit both Children’s Miracle Network and the Miss America Scholarship Fund.

I invite you to help me touch the lives of sick and injured children by making a secure donation today by clicking on the “Donate Now” button to the left after clicking the Children’s Miracle Network LINK. If you want to see the impact of your donation and who it will help, take a moment to view some of Children’s Miracle Networks incredible miracle stories. These are just a few stories out of millions of kids who are helped by Children’s Miracle Network hospitals each year.

Thanks so much for your support and for helping me make miracles happen!