In the ballroom of Baldwinsville's historic Mohegan Manor on November 8’ 2015, 11 stunning women vied for the titles of Miss Syracuse, Miss Salt City and Miss Erie Canal in the 2016 Miss Syracuse Triple Crown Competition. Meghan Sinisi was crowned as Miss Syracuse, Meghan Cahill was adjudged as Miss Salt City, and Jessica Brosofsky was titled Miss Erie Canal. The beautiful ladies will now compete for the Miss New York 2017 title. The event was joint-hosted by Miss Apple Festival 2016 Abby Hoag, Co-Founder and Director of Salt City Royalty Confidence Club and Salt City Legacy Scholars, Inc. Kristy Lee Witt and SU alumna -turned Miss Rhode Island 2016 Alexandra Curtis. Highlighted as the celebration of "Style, Scholarship, Service and Success", the event showcased various performances, live questions and swimwear and evening gowns round.
The event also dispersed other awards like 1st Runner-Up Scholarship of $150 which went to Amanda Abdagic. The 2nd Runner-Up Scholarship of $100 went to Lauren Schwartzberg. The Miracle Maker Award for Highest Fundraising for Children's Miracle Network was won by Alexandra Canavan. The Albert Dracker Memorial Scholarship for Community Service was bagged by Heather Graves. The People's Choice Award went to Lauren Schwartzberg. The Best Parade Shoes title was bagged by Meghan Sinisi. The Outstanding Achievement Award for Academic Excellence went to Lauren Schwartzberg. The Outstanding Achievement Award for Private Interview was won by the very graceful, Alia Bajorek. The Outstanding Achievement Award for Swimwear was grabbed by the stunning, Taylor Burrows. The Outstanding Achievement Award for Talent went to Alia Bajorek, while the outstanding Achievement Award for Evening Gown was grabbed by Taylor Burrows.
The executive director of the Triple Crown Competition, Linda Dracker-Hochenberger, stated that this year's girls showed implausible coerce in their pursuit of the three titles and their corresponding scholarships of $500. He added: "They are doing this for all the right reasons. They are all very dedicated to their platforms."
The newly crowned winner of Miss Syracuse is better known as the Orange Girl. She has been vigorously concerned both in the community and with her platform advocating for children with autism. Sinisi isn’t a newbie to pageant life. The junior communication sciences and disorders major performed in her first pageant at age of three. This March was her first attempt at pageants since her debut as a toddler. It was then that she took the title of Miss Liberty 2015, which made her eligible for the Miss New York pageant. Meghan opines: “I had no idea what I was doing. I thought it was going to be an experience to learn from for the next one.”
Sinisi believes Miss Syracuse is an important platform to her because it is recognizable and would allow her to do more work in the community. Although she knew she wanted to foray in pageants before coming to college, Sinisi held off on competing freshman year until she knew how to handle things, being the Orange Girl on top of classes.
Sinisi says her inventive vision was to increase awareness about autism, but it has steadily moved toward improving reception of children with autism. She has raised money for several organizations and is now looking forward to fulfill her duties as Miss Syracuse. Although Sinisi has to discover time for her crown, her responsibility as Orange Girl, two jobs, a sorority and classes, she says it’s all worth it when she is able to give back to Syracuse. She addedi: “Miss America isn’t about me. It’s for other people.”