(From left) Li Ling Rivera, Mackenzie Perpich and Heather WolfPhoto: Tamara Beckwith
One of these local ladies may be crowned Miss New York
For three glorious years, from 2013 to 2015, New York beauty queens had a monopoly on the Miss America crown. Though that reign ended in September, when Miss Georgia snatched the prize, a new crop of Empire State women are ready to fight for their chance to bring the national title back home.
On Sunday, Staten Island native and current Miss New York Jamie Lynn Macchia will crown her successor at the St. George Theatre in her home borough.
Thirty girls from all over the state are competing, but, surprisingly, not all five NYC boroughs are represented.
There will be no Miss Brooklyn or Miss Bronx because, quite simply, no one has stepped up to run a pageant there.
“We give out licenses to counties or geographical areas throughout the state,” says Debra Cantoni, executive director of the Miss New York Scholarship Organization. “I don’t believe we’ve had a Miss Bronx in five years. We had a Miss Brooklyn years ago, but the organizer moved.”
Even so, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan will all be represented — and these ladies are ready to rumble.
Miss Staten Island
Heather Wolf, 22
Neighborhood: St. George
You may have seen this New Jersey native before. “I have been acting professionally since high school,” says Wolf, who has had small roles on “Blue Bloods” and “Law & Order: SVU.”
The aspiring actress chose to attend Staten Island’s Wagner College, where, in 2015, she earned a degree in business administration, so that she could study and still be close enough to Manhattan for auditions. Apparently, she’s a skilled multitasker: Wolf was also the class valedictorian.
Now working at her alma mater’s alumni relations office and living near the ferry terminal, Wolf delved into the pageant world just this year — inspired by her former sorority sister, reigning Miss New York Jamie Lynn Macchia.
Talent: “I’m doing a monologue from the perspective of someone with mental illness,” she says. “It’s intense but uplifting.”
Platform: “You Can NOT Be Replaced,” a global program that is devoted to suicide prevention
Favorite Staten Island pizza: “I love Joe & Pat’s [in Castleton Corners]. My dad will find any excuse to visit me so we can go there. We split a large sausage and pepperoni pizza.”
Favorite view from Staten Island: “I’m a runner — I just did the New York half-marathon — and I like to run to Fort Wadsworth. It’s a beautiful view.”
Favorite Staten Island bar: The taproom at Flagship Brewing Co. in Tompkinsville
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Miss Queens
Li Ling Rivera, 20
Neighborhood: Fresh Meadows
Last year, Rivera was watching the Miss America Pageant when she decided she wanted to compete. She wasn’t daunted by the fact that Miss Queens was only a week away. Or that she had never done a pageant before.
“I was just back from Europe and felt enlightened, so I went for it,” says Rivera, who spent six weeks living in Milan and traveling to Spain, France and London.
The political science major at SUNY Binghamton beat out nine other girls for the borough title.
Talent: Rivera, who is of Chinese and Puerto Rican descent, plays a little piano — “a traditional Chinese cultural pursuit” — before dancing the cha-cha. “I feel like that talent embodies who I am.”
Platform: “Finding a Voice for Young America” by teaching kids about public speaking
Favorite Queens attraction: The New York Hall of Science
Favorite Queens diner: “Blue Bay Diner on Francis Lewis Boulevard. I love the ice cream on waffles.”
Favorite Queens celebrity: “Louis Armstrong or [‘Big Brother’ host] Julie Chen.”
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Miss Manhattan
Mackenzie Perpich, 23
Neighborhood: Hell’s Kitchen
This Georgia peach became a Big Apple girl three years ago after she transferred to Marymount Manhattan College, from which she graduated in 2015 with a degree in musical theater. “I came to New York for the first time when I was in the fifth grade,” says Perpich. “I remember walking down 42nd Street and seeing Times Square all lit up. I thought, ‘That is where I want to live.’ ” Now she splits her time between running to auditions and working the counter at SoulCycle.
Talent: Singing “Somewhere” from “West Side Story”
Platform: “Hope, Health and Healing,” promoting awareness and prevention of eating disorders
Favorite Broadway show: “ ‘Wicked’ is the best show I’ve seen, but my current favorite is ‘Bright Star.’ ”
Favorite Manhattan brunch: “I love the coffee and eggs Benedict at Sarabeth’s by Central Park.”
Favorite Manhattan celebrity sighting : “I saw Will Smith near Times Square.”
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http://nypost.com/2016/05/28/one-of-these-local-ladies-may-be-crowned-miss-new-york/
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