Miss New York USA & Teen USA 2016 will be crowned this weekend!  There are 143 Miss contestants and 53 Teens competing, similar to recent years.

Returning runners-up from last year are 2RU Kylie Jasenski (a former Teen first runner-up), 3RU Hannah Lopa (3RU at Miss NY Teen USA 2011), and 4RU Serena Bucaj (first runner-up in 2014).  I was disappointed to see that Jessica Carter isn't competing this year! Miss New York 2013 Amanda Mason, who assumed the title after Nina Davuluri won Miss America, is competing for the first time since she was a non-finalist in 2012.

Much like California, there are many contestants who have previously competed in other states, including two former Teens.  I am totally thrilled to see my Miss Teen USA 2008 favourite Shannon Geraghty back, competing in Miss for the first time (Miss Georgia Teen USA 2008).  I've hoped to see her back ever since I was shocked by her non-placement that first Bahamas year.    The other former Teen is Miss NH Teen USA 2010 Morgan Lucas, who most recently competed in Massachusetts in 2014.

Another Massachusetts contestant, 2015 third runner-up & 2014 fourth runner-up Cara Lemire is competing in NY this year.  Other contestants from different states include Lindsey Begue (Ohio), Laura Arumugam (FL), Adrienne Burfield (MO), A'Storia Hill (NC), Talisha Lee (NV & GA), as well as Kylie Jasenski who competed once in SC.

Two-time first runner-up Sophia D'Ambrosio is back for another attempt at the Teen title; sadly there hasn't been much luck for the other two-time 1RUs this year (Gigi Gauthier placed 1RU for a third year in CA, and Dasha Semina was 4RU in UT) but I'd love to see her break the hoodoo!   Others competing are Christiana DiNardo, also a runner-up in 2015 and 2014, 2015 4RU Michelle Laino and past semi-finalists Trisha Kelly and Jasmine Rodulfo.