The "beauty" in Beauty Queen

Although I consider myself a title-holder more than a beauty queen, I've got to say there are perks in getting all glammed up and attending events. The past two days I definitely experienced the beauty part of my title & LOVED every minute of it.

I visited my favorite place in the world, The Crowning Touch to search for my National wardrobe! And of course, they were helpful & wonderful as always. If you are ever involved in any pageant, I recommended Maria and Raquel more then anyone. They have been by my side helping me with every little thing from my first pageant to now, my preparations for nationals. With help from them, my mom, and Debbi, I definitely picked out the gown & interview outfit with the 'WOW factor.' Nationals are coming up soo quickly, I can't wait to be Massachusetts first representative! I owe thousands of thank yous to everyone at The Crowning Touch, I know I feel my absolute BEST at Nationals.

Lucky for me, Debbi, my pageant director, has become like a second mom in such a short period of time. She let me stay the night at her house so I could attend my first pageant as a visiting queen. The Miss Rhode Island pageant was BEAUTIFUL. From the contestants to the stage, everything was perfect. I had the chance to reconnect with pageant friends including my cousin queen Miss Teen Rhode Island-World Dana, and meet fabulous new ones. The world of pageantry truly has the most outgoing and good-hearted people you will ever meet in your life. The competition was tough and every single contestant stood apart from the crowd in one way or another. I admire the Miss America organization SO much for what an outstanding pageant they have. Every year, they award the most scholarships in the country to deserving and inspiring young woman. The 2010 winners were beautiful and I wish them the best of luck during their year. It was nice to see the new beauty queen fall to the ground crying when she won, it definitely demonstrated heart and how much winning this title means to her. (Plus, for a minute I thought I was the only one who couldn't control my emotions when a crown was placed on my head!)

Another perk of my night was the GORGEOUS cocktail dress I was given by my sponsors, Promgirl.net. It was a Clarisse, dark blue, and of course, sparkly! Thank you Promgirl.net, you MADE my night perfect with a stunning dress to walk around in.

The celebration party for the winners after was the best time of all. I had the chance to get some food in my stomach after a long day, chat with everyone I just met, and watch the crowned beauty queens soak in the moments of realizing IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!

After a tiresome yet amazing night, I woke up early again this morning for a photoshoot! My photographer was so kind and outgoing. And Debbi was of course amazing as always with direction. We did a series of outfits out doors to spice up my Miss Teen Massachusetts-World portfolio. It was a BEAUTIFUL day outside and I even found a Massachusetts fan who had his picture taken with me. (I still haven't quite gotten used to that yet!)

It was definitely an eventful weekend and one that I know will be unforgettable. From the dresses to the appearances, from pageant videos to the live show, I had the time of my life. Feeling like a beauty queen is never a bad thing, and I felt as glamorous ever all weekend long!

"We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle." Marilyn Monroe

Your Miss Teen Massachusetts-World
-Tamara Sacharczyk

What does leadership truly mean?

What does it mean to truly demonstrate leadership? This was one of the questions asked to begin my crazy day of events! I attended a breakfast for the Commerce of Chamber along with many Western Massachusetts business officials, scholarship winners, and my very own school committee.

The guest speaker of the day was David O'Brien, who is not only a leader in the business world but also an author. He was there to talk about what leadership really means, and the ways to reach to it doing whatever your passion is. He gave great advice and really got the audience involved. I ended up getting a free copy of his book "The Navigator's Handbook - 101 LEADERSHIP LESSON'S for WORK and LIFE." The speech was very inspiring and the book is definitely on my inspiration list to take a long to nationals!


I had an amazing breakfast, got interviewed for a newspaper, learned life lessons, & met amazing contacts. Thank you to everyone involved for making the morning so successful!

..Every good thing must come to an end..

Although that appearance was fun, my day kept getting better & better. Yesterday was my last day EVER as a high school student. The fact that I am never going back to East Longmeadow High School didn't really hit me until our very last victory stroll through the school. Growing up in a small down has been such a blessing. I have met the most amazing, down to earth people who truly do have a place in their hearts for every individual they meet. The class of 2010 is a class full of 17 and 18 year old's who HAVE THE POWER to really make a difference in the world. I hope you all go on to do extraordinary things with your intelligence and charisma. All of my classmates and friends, you have made East Longmeadow a TRUE home for me, and no matter where we end up in life, there will ALWAYS be a place in my heart for each and every one of you.

Goodbye high school, you have opened my eyes to endless possibilities. It's time to turn the page in the book and go out into the real world. My graduation is June 6th, in which I was lucky to be chosen to speak. My speech comes straight from the heart & will definitely give me the closure I need before moving on from this amazing town.



... Let's kick cancer in the butt!...

My eventful day ended in Burlington Massachusetts with one of the most incredible experiences I've ever been to. I attended my first Relay for Life with other Massachusetts beauty queens including Monique Jones, Ms Massachusetts United States; Jane Marshall, Mrs Massachusetts; and Christina Polanco, Miss Massachusetts National Junior Teenager. Hearing the survivors talk was truly one of the most inspiring things I have ever listened to. We all hear about cancer, we talk about it, but for someone reason most of us feel insignificant to it. We feel as though WE ARE invincible and it CAN'T TOUCH US. Believe it or not, it can, and this day opened my eyes to cancer more then they've ever been opened. Meeting survivors and people who dedicate themselves as caretakers and FINDING A CURE was something I will never, ever forget. These people have been through things many of us could never dream of us in our wildest nightmares, and they deserve the world for our courageous they truly are. It was such a pleasure to be there supporting Massachusetts and fighting cancer all at once.

The night wouldn't have been possible without my aunt Barbara driving me 2 HOURS in crazy traffic to get there. Thank you so much Barbara, you ARE my unbiological mom :)

I loved spending every minute with my Massachusetts beauty queens! I swear if everyone were to meet these outstanding girls they'd appreciate our state SO much more. We had our own booth with a skin analyzer and not only passed along information about skin cancer and sun damage but spent the entire night laughing at stories and taking pictures with fans. We even got he opportunity to get interviewed! I cannot wait to spend the rest of my reign with these amazing queens. I know together we real really make a difference!


"Be the change YOU want to see in the world!"
Your Miss Teen Massachusetts-World
-Tamara Sacharczyk

And the adventure begins..

Today was an extremely exciting day as a newly crowned beauty queen :) I had my NATIONALS PHOTOSHOOT with the absolutely amazing photographer, Daniel Gagnon. For anyone who has been involved in photography, pageantry, or modeling; you know how much having a great team by your side counts, and I was so lucky to have that!

I was starstruck as soon as I saw Daniel Gagnon's work with Miss America Rhode Island, Julianna Strout, and am so fortunate to have worked with him. The day was exciting from the very beginning of the drive to the beautiful state of Rhode Island!

The shoot began with my first evening gown ever worn during a pageant! It's teal and absolutely stunning. My team also included an AMAZING makeup artist and hair stylist which was such a treat for somebody who can barely use a curling iron! Not only did my stylist glam me up, but was 100% friendly and cooperative the entire time. (Including jumping in the shoot to fix my hair MULTIPLE times when it did not want to stay in one place!) He MADE the shoot :)

As time goes on I think my mom gets a bit more excited every day for my new title. Another part of my team today was Project Runway's very own Jonathon! My mom MIGHT be the biggest Bravo fan around, so seeing him put a permanent smile on her face for the day. I've got to say seeing her reaction definitely made my day. After shipping me around to all of my events it's great seeing her get something out of it. She was even lucky enough to snag a picture :)


I FINALLY got the opportunity to meet Lindsay Rogers, my directors absolutely gorgeous daughter! She is such a down to earth person and truly beautiful inside & out. She is a former Miss Rhode Island Outstanding Teen and you can take my word that she will some day be Miss America.

And of course, seeing my director is ALWAYS a treat. We had the chance to discuss a few details about Nationals including the new hair I will be getting (STAY TUNED) :)


I'm so confident in my outstanding team & the images we created for Nationals! It truly made it seem that much closer, and I am SO ready to get out on stage and compete again!

With almost a MONTH before Nationals, I still have plenty of preparation to do! For the first time today, I FELT like a title-holder. Wearing that crown on my head and sporting the Massachusetts banner makes me feel beyond proud to be representing my state, & I can promise you I will be giving Nationals my 110%. When you dream of something as much as I've dreamed of representing the United States, you know you have the drive to make miracles happen. Today was the adventure of many and reminded me of how blessed I truly am to have won my title.

The adventure has truly begun and from here on will keep be an endless year of excitement! Friday I will have my first appearance with the Chamber of Commerce followed by a Relay for Life later that night with the beautiful Monique Jones! Then on Saturday, the reality of Nationals will strike again with my visit to The Crowning Touch in search of the perfect evening gown! ( So exciting!! )

Hope everyone cheered on their state during Miss USA tonight! As much as I would have LOVED to see Lacey Wilson take home that crown, I'm sure the judges had reason behind their decision of our new Miss USA 2010, Michigan! Congratulations!!

Miss Teen Massachusetts-World
Tamara Sacharczyk

My title

Yesterday, May 1st 2010, I was crowned Miss Teen Massachusetts- World! Throughout the year I will be making various appearances and participating in volunteer work in the state of Massachusetts. At the end of June, I will be representing Massachusetts in the national Miss Teen United States- World pageant located in Houston, Texas.

I have never smiled, cried, or felt more accomplished in my entire life. Working up to something and finally achieving your goal is truly the best feeling you could ever have. I am so blessed to have the best support system by my side through my pageantry experience; and I will always be thankful for the familiar faces of the beautiful girls I have competed with.

Mom & dad, you two are my backbone. You have supported my dreams, and been by my side where it was pageants, modeling, or dance. I want nothing more then to continue making the two of you proud. Whether it's the encouraging words & practice of interview questions on the long drives to pageants, or you telling me how proud you are of me no matter how I placed, I would be no where today without the two of you. I love you, and will continue doing anything and everything to make you proud as a title holder and a daughter.

Luke, I couldn't have asked for a better big brother. Growing up with you and watching you accomplish so much academically has pushed me to ALWAYS try my hardest! You have been rooting me on on stage since I began dancing at age 3, & I know I can always count on you. Your the most genuine, hard working person & I am so blessed to call you my family. I swear we could tackle the world together :)

Kelsey, you are the sister I never had. You have watched me grow from a 12 year old girl into the 18 year old young women I have become. You are more then a best friend, you are the most inspirational, amazing person I have ever met in my life. You have so much ahead of you and such a great head on your shoulders. I cannot wait to see all of the accomplishments you make happen in your life. You will ALWAYS make me proud, I don't know how I got lucky enough to find such an amazing best friend.

"Maybe our girl friends are our true soul-mates.."

Gina, Haley, and Jill, you girls have made me the person I am today. You have not only been there for my accomplishments, but by my side holding my hand through my falls. Gina, thanks for being my biggest fan. You are always there to encourage me to never stop trying and giving my dreams all that I've got, I couldn't thank you enough for that. Haley, thanks for always being there for advice, and supporting me when I began everything. I'll never forget you being by my side at my first photoshoot, fixing my clothes and putting a smile on my face :) Jill, you have known me since I was 7! Thanks for always being there to pick up the pieces when I'm upset, and hold my hand through everything. When I need someone to be my side, you have always dropped everything for me. You three are beautiful girls inside and out. I am so eager to see what the years ahead of us have in store for you. And I promise, I will always be here for you as you have been for me. No matter where I am at the time, I will drop anything to put a smile on your faces. You have showed me TRUE friendship, in a world full of harsh high school drama and me spending every moment trying to reach my dreams.

"I've never met a smiling face that wasn't beautiful"

To all of my pageant girls, never, ever give up! Everyone I have met through USA, United States, and World, have been the most ambitious girls I could have ever come by. I have not only seen the most beautiful faces and smiles in the world, but met such amazing girls that have the ability to conquer the world! I never would be where I am today without you. From the encouraging words before we go on stage, to helping me zip my gown and glue my bathing suit to ensure there are NO wardrobe malfunctions!! Never stop competing, and always keep your dreams your main priority. Remember! Those who say you CAN'T, and you WON'T, are the ones most afraid that you WILL! Chase your goals and never let them out of site. And regardless if the crown is on your head or not, never stop acting like a true beauty queen!

The Crowning Touch, and Michelle Hantman - I couldn't thank you enough for always making me feel beautiful at pageants. From me losing my swimsuit bottoms a week before! To my perfect evening gown that was sure to make me stand apart from the rest. And of course, my fabulous coaching that gave me the confidence I NEEDED to succeed and wear the state title. I cannot wait to see you again before nationals, and when I eventually move on to different divisions and pageants!

Debbi Rogers, Dana Buitta, and my junior teen queens - My pageant family!! I am so excited to see what this year has in store for us. I cannot wait to make a difference in Massachusetts and Rhode Island with all of you by my side. I know we have an incredible journey ahead of us, and I couldn't have asked to spend my reign with a better group of people.

In a year, I have reached every goal I told myself I would reach by the age of 18. I got accepted into college, job shadowed a news reporter, walked down a runway, was signed by Mass Models, starred in an informercial, raised funds for Epilepsy Awareness, volunteered to bring dance into little girls lives, and last by definitely not least, won a state title!


No matter what hurdles life throws at you, always remember they are just hurdles. Never let anyone or anything ever get in the way of you living your dreams to their potential. Always be the best you can be, and never stop setting goals for yourself. Put your heart into something, and change the world for the better. And of course, always remember that not everyone is support, and some people would LOVE to see you fall. So never allow that to happen. Surround yourself with people who are there for YOU, and love you no matter what approach you take to life.

"Don't tell me the skies the limit, when there are footprints on the moon."

-Your Miss Teen Massachusetts- World 2010, Tamara Sacharczyk