Claire Buffie expresses delight to borough’s South Shore Rotary over decision to host 2011 pageant  on Island 

NEW YORK  (May 13, 2011) —  “Straight for Equality: Let’s Talk” is the platform of Claire Buffie, Miss New York 2010. The reigning state pageant queen visited Staten Island on Thursday, where she shared her passion for diversity and student dignity with the South Shore Rotary Club.

Claire Buffie, Miss New York 2010

Ms. Buffie also expressed her enthusiasm over the next Miss New York pageant, to be held at Staten Island’s St. George Theatre, June 17 through 19.

The state pageant is a stepping stone to the Miss America pageant.

“Staten Island has a solid history of commitment to community service,” Ms. Buffie told the audience of 70 South Shore Rotarians in the Marina Grand, Great Kills. “… Service is what the Miss New York and Miss America pageants are about. The Miss America Organization is the leading scholarship provider for women in the United States, awarding over $45 million each year.”

In addition to the borough’s embrace of community service, its record of successfully holding Miss Staten Island competitions since 1967 contributed to the Miss New York Organization’s decision to hold the 2011 pageant on the Island and make it the pageant’s permanent home, said Executive Director Kenny Mack.

“I see a long future between the pageant and Staten Island,” Mack said.

Four Islanders currently sit on the board of directors of the Miss New York Organization: Terry Tarangelo, Diane and Mike DelPriore, and James Thompson.

The Miss America Organization is the nation’s leading scholarship provider for women, awarding more than $45 million annually.

Four Staten Island women have won the title of Miss New York: Kari Pedersen Cynar in 1967; Lezley Braun in 1977; Alice Knisely in 1987, and Deana Herrera Walker in 1998.

This year’s Miss New York contestants include Miss Staten Island, Maria DeSantis; Miss Richmond County, Amanda Alicia, and Kimberly Cantoni, a former Miss Staten Island who is competing as Miss Liberty. In addition,  Island teens Victoria Dugay and Shreya Jain are competing for the Miss New York Outstanding Teen title.

Tickets for the pageant will be available through the St. George Theatre box office at 718-442-2900, or via Ticketmaster. For additional information about the pageant, visit www.missnyorg.com.

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