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Our 2017 New York Queen
Tiffany represented New York at the Miss Plus America Pageant, coming in 1st place
Platform: Youth and Child Character Development Making Her-Story: As an Ovarian Cancer Survivor, Tiffany McCloud knows a thing or two about strength and overcoming. Her goal is to help the next generation find their strength so that they can overcome the challenges that lie ahead on their path to success. Our Queen believes that in order for youth to thrive successfully in school or socially, they need to have people in their lives that not only encourage them, but help to instill the importance of self-love and great self-esteem. "So many times our children fail in every aspect of their lives because they never had anybody to believe in them", she says. "Not only believe in them but show them they are Kings and Queens and they are destined to be great no matter what background or environment they come from!." Our Queen started a mentorship program called "Raising Queens" in Rochester that teaches young ladies the importance of school, becoming financially responsible, social media awareness, proper etiquette, and interview skills. She truly changes lives! |
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Miss New York Plus America 2016
Shannon represented New York at the Miss Plus America Pageant, coming in 2nd
Platform: "The three E's: Embrace, Encourage, Empower" Making Her-Story: Shannon lives by the quote that she is "humble enough to know that she's not better than anybody but wise enough to know that she is different from the rest". It took her a while to embrace being different because growing up she really wanted to fit in. Through the many trials and tribulations she faced coming of age, there were women who embraced and pushed her to a higher level, encouraged her to never give up and empowered her to keep walking in her purpose. Now that Shannon is older she is giving back through Mentorship with the same three E's. "I believe in fighting for everything you want in this life", Our Queen says. The Social Work major, who is finishing her degree at Bennett College, is creating a program that will connect young women with Mentors that will embrace, encourage and empower them to be someone great! |
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Miss Plus America Elite 2015
Joneisa Smith, Miss New York Plus America 2015, won the National MPA Elite title
Platform: "Audrey's Why: Heart Disease and Stroke Awareness and Prevention" Making Her-Story: When she lost her mother Audrey L. Muriel in 2010 to Cardiac Arrest after suffering three massive strokes, Joneisa was understandably crushed. But she resolved that as her mother's only child, it was her duty to be her voice and to spread awareness to help prevent others from experiencing the same outcome. "Everyone deserves to live a healthier, longer life free of heart disease and stroke", Joneisa believes. And so she has already started working with organizations such as the American Heart Association so that she can help as many people as possible. Her crowning took place on her Mother's Birthday and it was a reminder that she was carrying on her Mother's legacy. She wishes to use her title to encourage others to live a full and healthy life and to help prevent heart disease and stroke. |
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Miss New York Plus America 2015
Francina Smith is now our reigning Miss New York Plus America 2015
Platform: Project Beautify Me. This is a twofold movement that she created. One part focuses on high school girls and young women to educate about confidence, pursuing dreams, health, and self-esteem. The other part, her health initiative, focuses on Kidney Disease and Diabetes Awareness and Prevention. Making Her-Story: When Francina was five, her grandmother got her leg amputated due to Diabetes. And in 2010, she lost her father to Diabetes and Kidney Failure. These issues have closely impacted her, but instead of becoming bitter, she used this as motivation to make others lives better. She has a heart for helping teen girls become ladies, and has aided them through mentorships and partnerships with outside entities. As she shares knowledge with them, our Queen says that she learns and grows with them in the process. She aspires to use her title to connect with more young women and to help those battling Diabetes and Kidney Disease. |
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Miss New York Plus America Ambassador
Plus Model Kathy Santos is our reigning Miss New York Plus America Ambassador
Platform: “Age is nothing but a number” Colorectal Cancer Awareness, Prevention, and Research. Making Her-Story: After several years of unexplained anemia, gastric discomfort, and extreme fatigue, Kathy knew that something was wrong with her body. She found a Doctor who referred her to a Gastroenterologist who gave her an emergency colonoscopy screening which brought some devastating news. At the tender age of 32, Katherine was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer. She had not received the screening that could have caught the cancer earlier because she was considered too young to have it, the CDC recommends that these screenings begin at age 50. Well not only did our Queen BEAT Colon Cancer and is today cancer free, but she decided to join the fight against Colorectal Cancer by partnering with Organizations such as Chris4Life, Colon Cancer Alliance and Never2Young. "This disease is 98% preventable if caught early", Kathy says. And her plan is to use her title to raise awareness to help as many people as possible in the fight against Colorectal Cancer. |
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Miss New York Plus America Icon
We had the honor of naming Plus Supermodel Liris Crosse our 2015 NYMPA Icon
Making Her-Story: Liris Crosse, dubbed "The Naomi Campbell of Plus”is an model/actress & pioneer in the fashion industry for full-figured women and is known for pushing curvy women into mainstream fashion! She's graced magazines from American Vogue, Essence, British Cosmopolitan to Vibe as well as done campaigns for Lane Bryant and Ashley Stewart. Vibe Vixen Magazine named Liris in the “Top Ten Plus Models” in the industry, Huffington Post named her to the “Top Ten Most Popular Plus Models” & Dose.com named her to the “Top 20 Models Destroying Traditional Beauty Standards”! Liris has appeared in the films "The Best Man", "Baby Boy" and on tv shows"The Wire" and Law & Order SVU. She’s currently signed to Dorothy Combs Models in the US & Hughes Models in the UK. Liris recently expanded her brand teaching her #LOAWM Boot Camps. |
