This past weekend, two beautiful and intelligent young women returned home after competing at Miss New York with eligibility earned from school, to compete in their home state.

Acacia Courtney, former Miss Gotham City 2012 and Miss NYC 2013, grew up in Connecticut, previously competed in Connecticut, and held the title of Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen in 2009. Competing in New York gave her valuable experience, and kept her stage ready until she returned this year to vie for The Constitution State’s crown as Miss Hamden. Delesia Watson made her debut in Miss New York as the first Miss Bronx to be crowned in the Bronx. She did not make the semifinals’ Top Ten, however did go home in 2013 with the Non-Finalist Interview Award. This year she earned the title of Miss Virginia Dogwood.

The Miss Connecticut pageant had two nights of preliminary competition. On the second night, Acacia won the preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness award, as she had done in 2011 and 2013 in Connecticut and New York, respectively. She pushed through to finals, landing a spot in the Top Ten on the finals night. Acacia wowed the judges with her talent, as she performed a classic ballet piece. Although the contestants were extremely competitive this year, Acacia took the Miss Connecticut title five years after wearing the Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen crown. She shared her Top Five spotlight with Brianna Muñoz; Miss Constitution, Alexandria Puglisi; Miss New Haven County, Allyssa Taglia; Miss Wolcot, and Kirsten Yerger; Miss Litchfield County.

Delesia previously competed in Virginia in 2011 and made the Top 11 Finalists. She returned this year as Miss Virginia Dogwood, to compete once again. She wowed the judged with her vocal performance, and earned a spot in the Top 11 this year as well, however did not advance past that. Courtney Garrett, Miss State Fair of Virginia, will represent the Old Dominion at the Miss America pageant as Miss Virginia. Savannah Lane; Miss Chesterfield, Elizabeth Martin; Miss Apple Blossom Festival, Victoria Maiden; Miss Roanoke Valley, and Veronica Robertson;Miss Dominion joined her in the Top Five court.

New York may no longer be their home, but there is no doubt that once you live in the City of Lights, you are destined to light up your life. Great job, Delesia and Congratulations Acacia!