Miss New York 2011, Kaitlin Monte

Claire Buffie, Miss New York 2010Kaitlin Monte is a 22-year-old native of Rochester, NY.  Kaitlin graduated from the University of Tampa at age 19 with a Bachelor Degree in Performing Arts with a focus in Public Relations and Consumer Psychology.  Representing New York, Kaitlin placed 2nd Runner Up at the 2012 Miss America contest, broadcast live on ABC, where she also received the Lifestyle and Fitness Preliminary Award and was selected as a Quality of Life Finalist for her anti-bullying advocacy work.

Kaitlin has traveled to schools across the state to address the issue of bullying through leadership.  She launched a statewide petition to bring cyberbullying laws to New York and partnered with New York State Senator Jeffrey Klein to create and pass said legislation.  She also assisted in launching the first ever statewide cyberbully census which allowed students to contribute to the design and authoring of the new law.  Kaitlin is working closely with the New York State School Boards Association to assist in the implementation of the Dignity for All Students Act.  As Miss New York she has become an official spokesperson for Teenangels, a national youth cyberbullying advocacy program, and We’re Kickin’ It.  She currently partners with internet safety specialist Parry Aftab, WiredSafety.org, The Farley Project, The Ophelia Project, StopCyberbullying.org, The Bully Project, All About Bullies: Big and Small, and with schools and communities across the state to combat this issue. 

Kaitlin is currently the Executive Director of Operations and Head of Communications for Project Empower, an educational non-profit she helped develop and launch as Miss New York. Project Empower aims to eliminate bullying and peer aggression by increasing the scope of students and equipping them for life beyond the classroom.  The program provides free hands-on learning and mentoring experiences in civic involvement, business, social skills and life skill development, as well as interactive career simulation gaming and school partnerships with top universities and corporations. She most recently addressed audiences at New York University and Pricewaterhouse Coopers to discuss entrepreneurship and youth leadership.

Since 2009 Kaitlin has been performing with the USO’s professional entertainment troupe, The Liberty Bells.  Kaitlin made her broadcast debut hosting New Year’s Eve 2010 in Times Square and has appeared on stages across the country.  She studied improvisation at New York’s Upright Citizen’s Brigade and is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.

Take a look at the work Kaitlin has done with her non-profit, Project Empower, and be sure to book Kaitlin to visit your school and share her message about bullying.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kaitlinmonte  |  Blog: www.missnewyork2011.blogspot.com  |  Official Website: www.kaitlinmonte.com



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