Many people ask me, “Why at 38 years old did you want to compete in a beauty pageant?”  That question was my basis of self discovery.  The Mrs. New York America pageant was a celebration of who I was as a women, a mom, a nurse, a wife and all the other roles women endure in a lifetime.  It was a reason for me to step back from taking care of everyone else and have an excuse to focus on myself.  As a stay at home mom of 3 young boys, life gets overwhelming and time rushes by at an enormous rate.  My last son was entering full day kindergarten and my life was at a major turning point.  I had been in pageants as a teen-ager and loved the thrill of competition, wearing beautiful gowns, and performing on stage.  I enjoyed interviewing and most of all talking to all kinds of people.  I felt that at this time of my life, this would be right for me (before I turned 40)!  So I made the decision to enter and for 6 months I engaged in a self discovery mission.  I learned who I was and what I had become.  I reminisced about the people I touched and the people who inspired me.  I secured the understanding of my personal morals and values and put them in articulate form, so that when the pageant experience came I would be ready to express myself completely.  This “pre-pageant” experience was truly amazing and life-altering.

             The Mrs. New York America Pageant director, Joanne Cercone and staff helped me take it from there.  With whole-hearted support and encouragement pageant week-end approached.  That week-end was not about winning the crown, in my mind I had already won the greatest gift of all, knowing who I was and how I had been blessed in my life.  With that mind set under my belt, I participated in one of the most wonderful productions ever.  From the moment I arrived to the pageant facilities, I was greeted with enthusiasm and respect.  I was made to feel important and very much a part of the pageant family.  Everyone cared about everyone….from staff, to contestants, to lighting crew, to wardrobe and make-up professionals.  Practice and preparations for the big night were in full swing and delicious food was free flowing always.  Everyone was well taken care of.

             The night I won the title of Mrs. New York America 2002, was the icing on the cake!  The cake was spectacular alone, but the crown was an amazing tribute.  The brilliant sparkle on the faces of my three young boys, my husband, my mom and dad and all my friends that came to support me will never be forgotten.  My real journey had begun 6 months prior to my winning, however the year got better and better with each passing appearance.  With Joanne at my side we took on New York!  Memories and experiences so diverse to match the people we were blessed to meet.  My goal during that time was to touch the hearts of as many people as I could, to inspire and encourage all women to celebrate their married life and who they had become. Each year I look forward to uniting with my pageant sisters and my Mrs. New York America family to cheer on the dynamic contestants that desire to share this experience with us.  Every contestant walks away with something very special.  I can assure you of that!

             Thank you Mrs. New York America Pageant.  You have been an unbelievable avenue for me, to live my dream, inspire others, and to celebrate the wonders of married women!

 
Lisa A. Cove, Mrs. New York America 2002

Lisa and Joanne while at one of our many appearances

Lisa with her chaperone, Rose while at a holiday gala appearance.