American Cancer Society, Pink & Black Tie Gala

On May 12th I attended the American Cancer Society's Pink & Black Tie Gala on Stage 6 at Steiner Studios right by the Brooklyn Bridge. After meeting Nancy Colt, Sally Cooper and Tamara Ehlin of the American Cancer Society at the Relay for Life Reunion Celebration I was inspired by their passion and commitment to the organization and was so thankful when they invited me to another event.

I was blown away by the beauty and elegance of the gala.  I applaud the American Cancer Society for organizing such a spectacular evening for a beautiful cause.  They are the national sponsor of birthday and for nearly a century the American Cancer Society has been supporting cancer patients all over the United States helping people "get well," "stay well," "find cures," & "fight back" and May 12th was no exception.  Hundreds gathered at Steiner Studios to support this cause hosted by the fabulous Stacy London of "What Not To Wear."  It brought together so many people from the community and honored Antonio Martin, CEO of Kings County Hospital Center, Malik Yoba, actor, educator, speaker & author and last but not least Steve Cohen, General Manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones Organization (aka my boss, so it was wonderful to be there supporting him as well).

When all was said and done "More than 440 fabulous suppporters from Brooklyn and beyond attended the event and helped raise nearly $250,000 to support the American Cancer Society's services right here in our community, as well as our research and national programs." 


I look forward to working with the American Cancer Society in the future !

Walking the "Pink" Carpet 

Aunt Joe & Me <3

Aunt Joe, Sally Cooper & Tamara Ehlin

Aunt Joe & I with Nancy Colt 

Aunt Joe & Mom <3

Stacy London of "What Not To Wear" 

Brooklyn Cyclones

The Staff of the Daily News 

FLEUR de LYS DINNER DANCE

On May 4th I attended Fontbonne Academy's 9th Annual Fleur de Lys Dinner Dance at Gargiulo's Restaurant in good old Coney Island. It was a fantastic night full of familiar faces, fun dancing and of course well deserved recognition of the devoted members of the Fontbonne Community.

"Fontbonne Hall Academy is a college preparatory high school for young women. Throughout its seventy-four year history, Fontbonne Hall has served the Bay Ridge community, Brooklyn as a whole, Queens and Staten Island. It is the goal of the academy to instill in their students traditional values in addition to the wherewithal to meet challenges of the years ahead." 


The event honored 6 dedicated and successful individuals whose leadership and contribu-tions over the years have assisted Fontbonne Hall Academy in fulfilling its mission. The highlight of the evening was the installation of the honorees into the Fontbonne Hall of Fame. Among the honorees was close family friend and "dancing mom," the wonderful Debra (Pepe) Canterino. I have known Debbie for about 10 years and could not think of anyone more deserving of this honor. Debbie's big heart and vibrant spirit certainly does not go unnoticed. Her passion for teaching at Fontbonne, her love for the school and her dedication to her family makes her one beautiful person from the inside out. 


Among the other honorees were, CNBC's "Closing Bell Anchor," Maria Bartiromo, District Manager of Community Board Ten, Josephine Beckermann, Principal of St. Patrick School, Andrea Geremia D'Emic, Genesis Program Finance Committee Member, Angela Gallo, and owner of Mejlander & Mulgannon, Thomas Stramka. 

The Six Honorees
inducted into the Fontbonne Hall of Fame 

Honorees and Special Guests 

A huge congrats to Debbie Canterino <3

Honoree Thomas Stramka

Lauren Canterino <333

Dance Works Reunion on the Dance Floor :-) 

xoxo
Christina 


****There is a wonderful article about the event in the Bay Ridge Eagle, don't forget to pick up a copy from your local Brooklyn news stands :-) Or visit http://www.brooklyneagle.com/bayridgeeaglenews.pdf

St. Athanasius Baseball Parade

APRIL 10th 

The day after the Miss New York Workshop I had the fantastic opportunity to lead the St. A's Baseball Parade with Senator Golden, Assemblyman Peter Abbate, Assemblyman William Colt and Elizabeth Liakos of Northfield Bank. I have been involved with the St. A's Baseball Program since I was a little girl. My brother played for St. A's from the time he was seven years old and my dad was a coach for them for close to 10 years, so I am no stranger to the organization. Throughout the years I have watched them flourish and have seen first hand the tremendous impact they have had on the community. Children from all over Brooklyn come to St. A's to play ball because they know it is an environment committed to family fun and the love for the game of baseball. It is a wonderful organization that works hard to instill in the children the importance of good sportsmanship.

The parade began at the parish church, 2154 61st Street and ended at the St. A's Baseball Field on 54th Street and 20th Avenue. When we arrived Senator Golden, Peter Abbate, William Colt and even yours truly had the chance to say a few words to the players. After concluding the speeches we all were given the honor of throwing out the first pitch of the season! A lot of my students were there with their families so it was so nice to see so many familiar faces READY TO PLAY BALL !!!! I have always wanted to play baseball/softball. Everyone in my family has played at one point or another, but due to my hectic dance schedule growing up I was never able to. However, on this day I got the chance to live out a silly childhood wish and was a St.A's softball player for the day :-) (One of the girls was nice enough to lend me her uniform lol) 

St. A's Softball Team 

Leading the Parade

Senator Golden 

:-) 

Lets Go St. A's !

SANDY !

Anthony, age 2 . . followed me all around the field, so cute :-) 

Dad and Bobby (President of the St. A's Baseball Program) 

Up Next the Fontbonne Dinner Dance Honoring Debra Canterino !!!

Miss New York Workshop

WOW !!! So May 7th was my Performers With A Purpose, Bringing Sarcoma Awareness Center Stage event and I could not be happier with the outcome. Everything turned out amazing and exactly as I had hoped it would when I created the program. I have sooooo much to fill you in on about Saturday May 7th, but before I do that there are a few other appearances/events that I have to tell you about :-) 

Miss New York Workshop, April 9th 

Going back to April 9, 2011, when the 22 Miss New York Contestants and Teen Contestants gathered for a fun filled day at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island, NY. We had the opportunity to get to know one another, review our talent selections, go over interview prep with Claire Buffie (Miss New York) and even learned some of the beginning choreography to our opening number. It was a long day, but certainly an enjoyable one. A lot of us have spoken via email or facebook so it was nice to finally meet everyone face to face. Leaving the workshop I felt a great deal of excitement and truly cannot wait to experience the "Miss New York Week." I know it will be something I will never forget!  

Wagner Girls, Miss Staten Island Maria DeSantis,
Miss Liberty, Kim Cantoni

Miss New York Class of 2011

Miss New York Class of 2011 with Claire Buffie

Complete Class of 2011, Miss & Teen Contestants

Brooklyn Girls :-)

Miss Brooklyn Organization 

Carmen Mendoza, Miss Kings County
Sister Queen & Roomie :-)





St. A's Baseball Blog Coming Next !

The Name of the Game is "Blog Catch Up;" Pilo Arts & Relay for Life

Hey Everyone, 

So all last week I was home sick in bed with a horrible case of strep throat that put me behind on everything!!! :-( But I am finally starting to feel better and am getting back into the groove of life. My goal for the day was to catch up on a few events that I participated in over the past month so here it goes . . . . 

Bay Ridge Courier Covers Pilo Arts Day Spa & Salon 

 Pilo Arts Day Spa & Salon 

8412 Third Avenue

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York 11209 USA

718.748.7411 

http://www.piloarts.com/

Throughout my year as Miss Brooklyn, Pilo Arts Day Spa & Salon has been a dedicated sponsor. They welcomed me with open arms back in October and have supported me in every event that I have participated in this year. On March 17th I visited Pilo Arts and had my hair done by the fabulous Master Stylist Jayne Chillo and my makeup done by the wonderful Betsy Shuki, for a feature in the Bay Ridge Courier. 


Pilo Arts has been an institution in Brooklyn since 1978 and from its inception has made it its mission to give back to the community. Each and every year Pilo Arts donates over $1 Million Dollars in services to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, New York University Cancer Fund, NYC Public Schools, and hundreds of other organization. 


I am so thankful that they have partnered with me this year and have not only assisted me personally, but have supported my platform and provided great donations that helped raise funds for the Sarcoma Alliance. 

Keep an eye out around Brooklyn for the Bay Ridge Courier Article! 

Jayne Chillo, Master Stylist
and my fabulous Hair Sponsor

Owner & Co-Founder of Pilo Arts,
Elena Solitario 

Thank you for all that you have done for me this year!

RELAY FOR LIFE REUNION: KICK OFF CELEBRATION

MARCH 29th at Christa McAuliffe 
http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/


"The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length."

For the past 12 years Brooklynites have gathered for this amazing event and in that time have raised a remarkable $1 million for cancer. I myself have participated in Relay for Life since I was in elementary school and can say first hand what an inspirational event it truly is. I remember my first year in 5th Grade camping out at Poly Prep with my family and friends, doing karaoke all night and walking the track in honor of those who we have lost and for those who continue to fight. Though the fun memories of Relay for Life will always stay with me, the one thing I will never forget it the first time I saw the "Luminaria Ceremony," where candles are lit in paper bags and are displayed in the word HOPE. I remember sitting there in complete awe by the beauty and the serenity that takes place during that moment. It is a feeling that you have to experience to fully understand because it is so breathtaking. 

In order to kickoff the Relay for Life Celebration, Nancy Colt (Director of Special Events for the American Cancer Society) and her wonderful team coordinated a celebration at Christa McAuliffe IS 187, where relayers, both past, present and future could gather for a joyous night. I had the honor of meeting inspirational cancer survivors and caregivers and even had the chance to say a few words about my personal experience with Relay for Life. It was such a fun evening full of love, inspiration and of course HOPE. 

I look forward to a continued relationship with the American Cancer Society and am excited to walk the "Pink Carpet" at their Pink & Black Tie Gala on May 12th :-) 

Aunt Joe <3 The inspiration behind everything!

City Councilman, Vincent Gentile

Beautiful Survivors <3

Nancy Colt, Director of Special Events
for the American Cancer Society

Keeping the fight alive <3

Saying a few words :-)

STILL GOT 2 MORE COMING YOUR WAY! 

xoxo

Christina 

MARCH MADNESS !

Wow, life is so crazy right now! So many wonderful things are happening so quickly and trying to keep up with everything is proving to be a unique challenge to say the least. I am currently in the middle of putting together my grand benefit dance performance. I have been working on this for months and now it is only a month away, so needless to say I have been running around like a chicken without a head lol. It is looking to be a great event that I will certainly give you more information on later next week :-) For now I must go back to the hectic/AMAZING month of March!

NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE: Teacher Training Program 
http://www.nationaldance.org/new_video.htm

The National Dance Institute is a remarkable not-for profit performing arts organization that "has transformed the lives of more than 2 million public school children through award-winning arts and learning programs. Children discover the arts through dance and develop standards of excellence, a pride of achievement and a curiosity about the world that supports their success in school and in life." Founded 34 years ago by famous ballet dancer Jacques d'Amboise, NDI has flourished into a renowned organization that has been recognized on both the national and international level. 


I was bitten by the NDI bug last year when a family friend Lauren Cramer brought me to see a sensational performance in June and from that point on I was hooked. I wanted nothing more than to get involved with this organization and for two wonderful weeks in March I was given the opportunity to experience the magic behind NDI. 


I was accepted into the two-week intensive teacher training program and was able to participate thanks to the generous sponsorship from the wonderful Cramer Family. From March 7-17th I worked with remarkable teachers and trained with an exceptional group of talented people. For two straight weeks a group of 22 of us trainees gathered at various New York City public schools, observing, assisting and even teaching the students the renowned NDI pedagogy. 


The experience at NDI will stay with me for years to come and I hope that one day I will have the privilege of working for this superb organization, whose genuine love and dedication to the arts is to be deeply admired. Strong teachers, combined with a welcoming work environment and PASSION is the secret to NDI's tremendous success. I walked away from this experience with amazing new friends, an even greater appreciation for the art of dance, and a deep attachment to the organization. :-) 

National Dance Institute 2011 Teacher Training Program
AMAZING <3

Christa McAuliffe IS 187: 
BEAUTY & THE BEAST 
While I was taking the two-week teacher intensive I was also in tech rehearsal for IS 187's performance of Beauty and The Beast, so for those two weeks I got up every morning at 6:00am, went to NDI until around 4:00pm then headed over to McAuliffe from 5:00-9:00pm (the most hectic, yet fulfilling two weeks ever lol!!!!). 


I have been the Drama Club Choreographer there for the past 4 years and have worked with a wonderful director Susan Huizinga to put on what turned out to be a truly enchanting performance on March 18th, 19th, & 20th.  I love my students to the moon and back and was SOOOOOO unbelievably proud of them. They are all so talented and being able to be a part of their success is a reward unlike any other.  Aside from putting on a great production, the students were kind enough to present me with a check in the amount of $500.oo for the SARCOMA ALLIANCE www.sarcomaalliance.org. The students really go above and behind the duty of community service and have supported my cause for the past two year. THANK YOU, I am so grateful for all that you have done xoxo 

BRAVO GUYS !!!! EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU DID A SPECTACULAR JOB <3

Fabulous Director Susan Huizinga

So proud of you Mikayla :-) 

<3

Love her <3

The Crew :-) Somehow we pulled this off lol

Wonderful job Natalie aka "Belle" :-) 

Best of Luck to all of my 8th Graders,
you will all go on to do amazing thing! 

Beautiful Belle and the Fabulous Beast
Max and Natalie :-) 

So that pretty much covered only two of the four events I needed to fill you in on lol. 
I guess there is always tomorrow <333


xoxo
Christina