Posted by: Caitlin Spinelli, 2008 Tulip Finalist

An experience of a lifetime

This process has truly been the experience of a lifetime thus far, and we have only just begun. From the first interview to days later when the phone rang, it all felt so surreal, and that feeling continues. 

The Sunday of the final interview, I had butterflies in my stomach the entire day. However I was kept busy lending a hand, helping my Dad at his work in the afternoon. As I was taking care of a customer, my cell phone rang. Luckily I was in the back room, because as I was told I was a finalist I think I screamed so loud that everyone in the building heard me! Everyone ran in to tell me to keep it down, and then they found out why I couldnʼt contain myself anymore!

From that day on, the excitement never ceased to end. And as we all met for the first time, I had felt like we all had known one another already, these girls were the farthest thing from strangers.

There was even more excitement when all the girls met on the most beautiful spring morning amongst the tulips within Corning Park for a press conference with Mayor Jennings. It seemed surreal, with all the television cameras, newspapers, and photographers. However we didn't let our nerves get the best of us, we all supported one another and offered advice and I already feel like the five of us are very close friends. Each of these intellectual women have nothing but the best to offer and I am extraordinarily lucky to have the opportunity to work with such a great group of women, and am looking forward to working with them and accomplishing great things. We have big shoes to fill, but I am certain that we will be able to live up to that expectation!

Posted by: Kayla Janeski, 2008 Tulip Finalist

Our Journey Begins

It has only been a few weeks since I was told I would be a finalist for the 2008 Tulip Queen and I've loved every minute of it. The City of Albany and their volunteers have been most impressive. I was encouraged to see that many of the volunteers working with us have been former Queens and Court members. Their involvement only confirms my feeling that the journey we have just begun, as members of the Tulip Court, is one that will remain with all of us for years to come.

When I met the other finalists I knew I had instantly made four new friends. What could be better? We will not only have amazing opportunities to help the community, we will even have fun doing it! I am honored to be included in a group of such high caliber young women. This is a wonderful opportunity and we are ready to make the most of it!

We are so excited to meet all of you, so please join us at the 60th Annual Tulip Festival  on May 9 - 11 in Washington Park. If we miss you at the Tulip Festival, don't worry, there is long list of events we will be attending throughout the year - See ya soon!

Posted by: Sarah Volk, 2008 Tulip Finalist

"Seriously?" - this was my response...

Posted by: Jessica Engel, 2008 Tulip Finalist

WOW! I have always wanted to be a part of the Tulip Festival

My aunt nominated me in the past, but I go to school in Plattsburgh, NY and was always told, “No, it’s too far away and you’d have to be in Albany.” Now, I’m only a few weeks away from graduating with my Bachelor of Arts in Communications and I am one of the finalists for Tulip Queen. My dad told me he was going to put my name in and I honestly didn’t think I would get a call. I went in for my first interview and was nervous, because there were TEN people interviewing me. After the first interview I knew that I was completely dedicated to becoming part of this year’s Tulip Queen and Court.

I think it was three weeks after my interview that I got a call on a Thursday, asking me to come to the Tulip Tea as a Semi-Finalist on Saturday. I was in Plattsburgh and the next evening (Friday) I had my Senior Sign-Off that I planned for 2 months. Senior Sign-Off started at 7pm and went to about 10:30pm. I left Plattsburgh Friday at 11pm and got home at 1:30 in the morning. I had no idea what a “Tulip Tea” was or what to wear. I figured out what to wear, went to the Tulip Tea and met these amazing 12 other young women- along with last year’s Queen and Court. Each personality that I met was qualified to be a part of this year’s Tulip Queen and Court. I left the tea knowing that I had tough competition.

The next day I had my second interview and about four and half hours later I got a phone call – telling me that I WAS ONE OF THIS YEAR’S FINALISTS. I haven’t stopped smiling since that phone call. I can’t tell you all the emotions that I felt, and most importantly, I am so excited to give back to the community and be a part of this year’s journey. Life after college isn’t scaring me so much at the moment, because I know that I have a mission to do for the next year.

Amy LaGrange, Caitlin Spinelli, Kayla Janeski, Sarah Volk, and I had our first press conference Tuesday April 22, 2008. We all did well – and I look forward to working with these outstanding women for the next year. Please come to this year’s Tulip Festival- The Queen will be announced on Saturday May 10^th. There will be a ton of activities for all ages- it’s the best event of the year! I look forward to seeing you there- and if not there I hope our paths cross over the next year.

Posted by: Amy LaGrange, 2008 Tulip Finalist

I cannot believe that this is happening to me

Hello all! The only thing that I can say is that I cannot believe that this is happening to me. Just a few weeks ago, my sister told me that she was going to nominate me for Tulip Queen and here I am a finalist. It is such an honor to be chosen as a finalist (thank you once again to the selection committee). I do not think that I will ever forget that phone call. I am not usually one at a loss for words, but when I was told that I was a finalist, I was both speechless and shocked. After meeting all of the other semi-finalists at the Tulip Tea (Saturday April 19^th, 2008), I had no idea how the judging committee was able to select just five out of the thirteen amazing women. Each semi-finalist had so much to offer and has done so much for this great city.

Tuesday, was our first press conference. I went to teach at my 5^th grade field experience class at the Thomas O’Brien Academy for Science and Technology on Tuesday morning and was nervous for not only the press conference, but also for my first time meeting Mayor Jennings. I left the class to go to the press conference and when I returned the students relentlessly asked me about where I had gone. My response to my students was that I was not going to tell them. I told them that if they wanted to find out, they needed to watch the news that night, or to look at the paper. The next day, they were all so excited and one of them even brought in the picture from the paper! It reminded me that being part of the Tulip Queen/Court is such an incredible honor, and gives me the opportunity to be a role-model for children and students all around the Capital Region.

I look forward to meeting everyone at any of the upcoming events that we will be taking part in (Tulip Fest, Alive at Five, Memorial Day Parade, Greek Fest, and so many more!). I encourage everyone to come to these events, support your community, and show our surrounding cities and towns that Albany truly is the jewel in New York’s crown.

Posted by: Bianca Pier, 2007 Tulip Court

Year on the Tulip Court is coming to an end

I cannot believe that our year on the Tulip Court is coming to an end! Exactly one month from today there will be a new Tulip Queen and Court who will just be kicking off their reign.I'm sure they will be just as nervous as we were, but will also be bursting at the seams with new ideas for the City of Albany.

I am so excited to meet the semi-finalists at the Tulip Tea on April 19^th. The Tulip Tea is such a wonderful gathering where you are completely surrounded by strong, creative, and motivated young women.

I am really looking forward to discovering whom the Tulip Queen Committee has selected… this should be an interesting month! Oh, and keep your eyes and ears open for announcements about the 60^th Annual Tulip Festival on May 9^th-11^th!

Posted by: Meaghan Walter, 2007 Tulip Court

TULIP FEST is just around the Corner

It's time to countdown the weeks until the 60th Annual Tulip Fest. As the court and I get ready to see who will reign after us we still have many exciting events to attend and participate in. The upcoming events are our press conferences, Champagne in the Park and the Tulip Tea. It's all pretty exciting!  Let us not forget about our after school project Creative Minds In Action. Due to the fact North Albany Academy has school until June, our court will still work with the children who participate in CMIA until they are done with school. What's on our agenda? We have two great authors coming in to speak with the children and share their wonderful stories, and also we have some outside and baking actives planned to get the children using their imagination and increasing their knowledge on literature.  Pretty cool if you ask me!

Posted by: Amisha Gomes, 2007 Tulip Queen

The countdown has begun!

The countdown has begun! There is a little over a month left until the new Tulip Queen and Court is officially on duty. The realization is becoming clear to all of us girls that our time is winding down. I have to say I am proud of what we have accomplished in just one year. Just last week a local author Daniel Mahoney stopped by our after school program. We had prepared the students by reading his book A Really Good Snowman and the students had the opportunity to ask him questions pertaining to his life as an author and his book. Mr. Mahoney illustrated pictures for each child and then autographed them!

Last Saturday we were able to participate in the Cinderella Project. The Cinderella Project is an organization dedicated to serving the Capital Region area and promoting the confidence and self-esteem of financially challenged young women. Young ladies from around the area are able to get their prom dresses and accessories for no cost. Over 2000 dresses were donated and they were absolutely stunning! We got to be personal shoppers, which meant we helped pick out dresses with the girls, show them to a dressing room and see the image that comes out. As soon as they put on a dress some girls knew it was the one and didn't bother to try on any more, while others liked to shop around. It was a great experience and one I plan on being a part of for years to come. I can't wait for the new chosen five to get to experience what we have and even more.

For more information on the Cinderella Project: http://www.cinderellaproject.net/

Posted by: Emily Gottstein, 2007 Tulip Court

Where has the year gone?

Hello Everyone!

First off I want to thank you for visiting the website and reading our blog! It's hard to believe that it has already been three months since the start of our literacy program Creative Minds in Action at North Albany Academy. The hardest thing to believe is that our year as Tulip Queen and Court will be over in a few short months. With that We are extremely excited to meet the new Tulip Queen and Court. We are all confident that they too will do a wonderful job as ambassadors for the city!

This year has been one of the best and busiest of my life! I feel truly blessed to have been able to work with Amisha, Ashley, Bianca and Meaghan, as we formed life long friendships throughout our year. Most of all, I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to give back to the community, especially to our ten amazing students at C.M.I.A!

We recently welcomed two wonderful local authors, who shared with us their stories, and inspirations as well as answering each and every one of our questions! I want to once again thank Coleen Paratore and Daniel Mahoney for your time; it meant so much to have you be a part of our program!  Even though our year of reign technically ends with the coronation ceremony at Tulip Festival on May 10th, we look forward to continuing our literacy program throughout the end of the school year in June. Thank you so much for reading! Take care.

Posted by: Ashley Hart, 2007 Tulip Court

Making a positive and lasting difference in the community

Wow, these past few months on the Court have really flown by! The Tulip Festival and Ball seem like they happened yesterday! These months have been incredibly rewarding and I look forward to finishing my reign with the rest of our amazing 2007-2008 Tulip Court. This past Monday, at our after school program, Creative Minds in Action, one of the students said, "I don't want to go home" when it was time to leave. I asked him why and he replied, "because I'm having so much fun here!" Feedback like this from our students warms my heart because I know we are doing valuable work, helping the kids with their writing, reading and speaking skills, but when I hear this kind of statement, I realize that our work is truly having an impact. That's really what being on the Tulip Court as an ambassador for the City of Albany means to me: making a positive and lasting difference in the community. I simply cannot wait to continue our program, meet the talented authors who will visit our program, and participate in all the events of the season!