Almost immediately after Miss New York was crowned, Nina Zesky (Miss Heart of New York 2015, 2nd RU) announced that she would be representing the Empire State as New York’s Sweetheart at the National Sweetheart pageant. Jamie Lynn Macchia, Miss New York, made history last year as the highest placing NY representative at the Sweetheart pageant, going home as 1st Runner up. Who knows- this could be the first year that New York takes the crown.

As the deadline for Sweetheart registration quickly approaches, two more “interstate queens” have accepted the Sweetheart title for their state. Even though they are not representing New York, they are still considered a part of New York’s royalty and deserve support. Last year, Allie Curtis (former Miss Upstate New York 2013) represented Rhode Island at the National Sweetheart pageant and went on to secure the Miss Rhode Island title. This year three ladies who had formerly competed in New York will try for the National Sweetheart title, and perhaps take their state title next year!

Rose McClimans (IN)

Rose McClimans competed in Miss Finger Lakes 2014 and went home as 1st Runner Up. Although she is a resident of Syracuse, NY, she decided to continue her competition years in Indiana where she attends Notre Dame University. Last year she rounded off the Miss Indiana Top 5 as 4th Runner Up. This year, she made the Finger Lakes region proud as she shared the final two spot, and was announced as the 1st Runner Up. Rose will compete at the National Sweetheart pageant as Indiana’s Sweetheart, but she will still be in our NY heart.

Jessica Johnson (WI)

Jessica Johnson competed in Miss New York 2012 as Miss Liberty City, through eligibility from school. Although she did not make finals, she earned a special spot in the New York Local Legacies. She returned to Wisconsin and competed again, but did not place. Finally, her final year of competition, she earned a local title and worked her way to the top . Even though she did not win the title, she finished strong as 1st Runner up. Jessica will compete at the National Sweetheart pageant as Wisconsin’s Sweetheart, but is also still a part of our NY heart.

Michela Moe (IL)

Michela Moe had previously competed in Miss Hawaii as Miss Maui, and earned a spot in the Top 10. She took a few years off while attending Ithaca College in New York, before competing, and placing in the top 5, in the Miss Thousand Islands pageant. She accepted a job in Chicago, Illinois and relocated to the Windy City. There, she competed again, this time earning one of the three local titles crowned.  She competed at Miss Illinois, earning the 2nd runner up spot. Michela will compete as Illinois Sweetheart at the National Sweetheart pageant as Illinois’s Sweetheart, and still be in our NY heart.

The National Sweetheart pageant will be held on Labor Day Weekend. Be sure to keep an eye out for the webcast, so you can support Nina, as well as Rose, Jessica, and Michela on their Road to Miss America National Sweetheart.