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PURCHASE, N.Y.-- The contestant representing the City of Dreams had her own dream come true Sunday evening, as Johanna Sambucini was crowned Miss New York USA 2012.
Sambucini, who was originally born in the Dominican Republic and currently lives in New York City according to her biography, was crowned at the pageant which took place at SUNY Purchase. The newly-crowned Miss New York 2012 was included in the first cut of 20 women, made it into the top ten after the swimsuit competition, and was among the top five after the evening gown competition. It was the interview she gave that placed her among the remaining 5 women for the title.
"What being a New Yorker means to me is being able to commute every day to the train station without using a car, being diverse, and being a confident and overall rounded person, I think that's what being a New Yorker means to me," Sambucini answered during the interview session.
The interviews, which were the last contest for the contestants featured one random question from other participants in the pageant and one from the judges. It was a question about picking celebrity parents however that showed Sambucini's gratefulness for her family.
"No, I would never change my parents. I love my mother and I love my father although he's not here today, he's in heaving watching over me in spirit, and I love my family, so I would never change my family," she said, before screams and applause from the favorable crowd drowned out her thank you to her family.
Sambucini took the crown, and Miss Greenpoint Sarah Otey was the runner up, while Miss Big Apple, Ashley Layfield was the second runner up, Miss Richmond County, Janae ?Desiré was the third and Miss Spanish Harlem, Nikole Churchil was the fourth.
The night was also for Miss New York 2011, Amber Collins, to say goodbye to her reign, and she shared her fond memories as the represenative for her state fondly with the audience. Collins, who was born and raised in Texas, but moved to New York City four years ago.
When asked if she had one piece of advice for the new Miss New York USA 2012 she said, "I would have to tell her, of course cherish every moment, but really, when you're tired just stay in the zone, the zone you're in right now, that positive energy you feel, that support you feel from your family and friends, live off of that all year..."
Earlier Sunday, Sabrina Mastrangelo, Miss Long Island teen, won the Miss Teen New York 2012 contest at the Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase.
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