Who is Kristina Blackstock?

Formerly Miss Ireland 2011
Currently Miss Thousand Islands 2016

PageantFile Content: Bio
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Blog 
Fundraising: Miss America for Kids

Why did you begin competing in pageants?: My first pageant that I ever competed in was not a MAO local; it was a scholarship festival pageant in my hometown. Knowing that I would be attending college in the following year, I knew this could be a wonderful scholarship opportunity. I won’t lie though, the thought of wearing a crown and gowns was definitely a helping factor. What girl wouldn’t want to dress up or wear a crown? After winning Miss Ireland, I was approached by the Miss Thousand Islands Organization and the rest is history!

What do you hope to gain, other than a title?: One of the best parts about competing in pageants is meeting people and creating lasting friendships. One of the aspects I am most looking forward to at Miss New York is meeting all my pageant sisters and creating memories together!
Why is your platform unique? : Currently in the United States one of the biggest challenges facing our youth is childhood obesity. My platform takes a hands on approach to tackle this issue, which I feel sets it aside! Rather than relying solely on education, my platform focuses on showing kids how to make healthy and yummy foods and also fun ways to get out and be active. By teaming up with the Let’s Move campaign that the First Lady Michelle Obama has started, I have the ability to access unlimited resources and make a difference.
How do you watch the Miss America Pageant?: I have always wanted to go to the Miss America competition, but have not yet made it down to Atlantic City. I usually watch the pageant at home with my mom and we discuss all the gorgeous gowns, platforms, and onstage questions. I hope to be able to go to the live show in Atlantic City with my mom some day soon!
What has been your favorite appearance or service event as a titleholder?: The day after my crowning I was able to take a tour of our local hospital (Samaritan Medical Center) with Miss New York, Jamie Macchia. We were able to see where the funds from Children’s Miracle Network were going and how they were actually helping to save lives. Since the partnership with CMN and the Miss America Organization is so important, it meant a lot to see where all our hard work was going towards!
What appearance or service event would you like to do most before the end of your reign? : I would really like to meet with children in my community and help them create their own mini gardens! It would be so much fun and would allow them to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables after the plants bloomed. The hands on approach to educating them would have a lasting impact and would teach them a skill they could take throughout life!
Which is your favorite phase of competition?: Interview by far is one of my favorite parts of competition! You never know what the judges may ask you, so you have to be well rounded and educated in all aspects of competition, current events, and your platform. It keeps you on your toes and it’s the one phase of competition where judges get to know your personality!
If you could add or remove one phase of competition, which would it be and how would you adjust the scoring percentages?: Every phase of competition is important, but if I could change one aspect it would be wearing a swimsuit for Lifestyle and Fitness. I would have Lifestyle and Fitness be more like the teen pageant so that contestant could pick activewear outfits that reflected their personalities! There are so many girls who have their own unique way of staying active- why not have their outfits represent this? As for scoring, I wouldn’t change a thing!
How do you prepare for pageant? : It’s extremely important to have an overall healthy physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, so when I prepare for pageants it’s a whole mind and body experience. Daily workouts, reading current events, and attending appearances usually fill up my schedule, but I always make sure to set side time to play piano or go for a leisurely run. This allows time for myself and my mental and emotional health while still managing all the fun of pageant preparation.
What do you plan to do with your experiences after you finish competing or age out of MAO?: I am hoping to enter into the medical field after I age out of competition. A very large and important part of getting into various medical programs is the interview process. I will be able to take all my knowledge and experiences from my time with the Miss America Organization and use it within my interviews. My experiences as a titleholder have shaped me into the intelligent and confident woman that I am today, and that is something I will take with me throughout the rest of my life.
Why should you be Miss America?: I am pursing a path of change with my platform and I will not stop until a difference has been made and the health of our nation has changed for the better. I believe that being passionate and driven are attributing factors to why I should be the next Miss America, but also because I have the ability to represent all four points of the crown with grace and integrity.