Published: August 19, 2008 05:20 pm            

TUESDAY: Lockport’s pageant queen (5:19 p.m.)

CROWNED: Donna Volmy wins title of 2008 National American Miss New York

After years of competition and effort, a young Lockport woman is proudly wearing her crown.

Donna Volmy, 19, has been crowned 2008 National American Miss New York, after a grueling competition in New York City.

In her living room on High Street, Donna is surrounded by trophies and awards won by her and her brothers and sisters. To her, the tiara and trophy that came with this latest pageant win is one of the sweetest victories yet.

“I was competing agaist 250 other girls, so it’s a lot of competition,” Donna said. “I ended up winning, and it’s amazing.”

Next, Donna will travel to the national pageant, held Thanksgiving week at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., to compete with winners from all 50 states for the title of 2008 National American Miss.

The pageant is a family affair: Donna’s sister Matthania, 10, was first-runner-up in the junior pre-teen division, while another sister, Revecca, 11, was fourth-runner-up. Her sister Darlene, 18, was in the top 20 in the teen division.

They will join Donna at the national pageant in November, where they’ll compete for the All-American title, Donna said.

Donna has been doing pageants since she was 8 years old.

“Doing that improved me, because I learned something new every time I did pageants,” she said. “It boosted my self-confidence, it helps you with poise, personality. It helps you speak in front of a big audience.”

She said the most enjoyable part of pageants is meeting new people.

“You get to know a lot of different people from a lot of different backgrounds,” she said.

The National American Miss pageant includes several scored events: Introduction, formal wear, interview, production number and community service.

The pageant began by narrowing the field from 250 girls to 20, then down to the final five.

Donna remembers the stress and excitement as the final five runners-up were announced, waiting to see who had won.

“It’s crazy, because we were all standing there holding hands,” she said. “I did not expect my name to get called. I was like, ‘Oh my God!’ I was shocked. ... I lost my voice from screaming.”

She said she would have happy just to be in the top five.

“If you get fourth runner-up, third runner-up, it’s amazing, too,” she said. “To be in the top 20, out of 250 girls? That’s amazing, too.”

Darlene said the family is very proud of Donna for her accomplishment.

“She worked really hard for it,” Darlene said. “We were all happy for her. She deserves every moment of it.”

Volmy, who graduated from Lockport High School in 2007, is currently studying bio-medical science at the University at Buffalo. She said she hopes to become a pediatrician.

She said she wants to dispel the myth that pageants are just about looks, and not about substance or smarts.

“It’s not about just being pretty and all that. ... It’s based on inner beauty,” she said. “I’m representing New York State as a whole, and to represent the state as a whole, you have to be well-educated. It’s about poise, presence and your intelligence.”

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

        

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