As it was my first day of school, it was my last day of being Miss Northern New York's Outstanding Teen 2015. This year has been such an experience! From the inside jokes, laughing till I cry, and the things I have learned that I will carry on through my life... I want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone that supported me through my journey by reading my blog or by following me on social media. A special thank you to my parents for being my biggest supporters, for taking me places, and for putting up with me when  I didn't want to do mock interviews. Thank you to family and friends for screaming for me and holding pictures of my face at my local and state pageants.  Thank you to The Miss America Organization for teaching me to come out of my comfort zone and increasing my self-esteem. Thank to to the friends I have made through being a part of this wonderful organization. Keep being yourself and accept who you are!Thank you for being there and making everything so fun along the way. To team Upstate, we always rocked it no matter what we were doing, thank you two for always being there. To the trio, I can't wait to see you again! Thank you for making this experience a one of a kind, our bond can never be broken. To Shelby, from my earrings to my shoes you were the most amazing personal stylist! Also, thank you for all the tips and critiques that have  helped make me the young lady I am today. To Sue and Gary, thank you for being my pageant parents and supporting me through everything I did and thats how Sue C's it! Thank you to my role model and choreographer Mandee for everything you have taught me. Thank you to Allison for being my big and helping me pageant prep throughout my year. Kristina, although I have only had a couple weeks as your little, thank you for everything! Your kind heart always brightens my day. This year I have promoted BElieve in YOUrself- you are a limited edition promoting the end of stereotypes and encouraging the acceptance of others. I have had so many inspiring appearances this past year. Nothing makes me more happy than to see a childs face smile after talking to them. I will still run my blog and my page because the passion for my platform does not stop. Always be you! Signing off as Miss Northern New York's Outstanding Teen 2015 Brianna Lockwood. 

Although I am only a teenager, I feel that I have a good understanding about life and some of the challenges it entails. We all face decisions. Whether these decisions are small or large they still have an impact on us on many different levels. Not only do our decisions effect ourselves, they also effect the people around us. Trying to make the right decision can be stressful and cause anxiety. So, my advice is take a step back and look at the bigger picture. What outcome will make you prosper and grow? However, we can't forget the possibility of making mistakes. When that happens make a new decision and learn from what has occurred. Don't dwell on the past because you have so much to look forward to. Remember stay true to yourself and what you believe in. Be you always.  

Have you ever felt like you didn't matter? Like you could disappear and nothing would happen? Well,  it might seem like you hear this all the time but you DO matter. There is no one else in this entire universe  that is you. No one has the same personality, style, or thinking capacity as you do. So next time you get so down on yourself that you begin to think this way, remember you are you for a reason.  Whether someone is bullying you or you just a had a bad day, don't get so down on yourself.  Everyone has bad days and there is always tomorrow. Trust me things do get better with time. Especially if you are thinking about suicide. Get help from a person you trust or even a hotline. No one can take your place in this world so don't leave it empty. You are a limited edition that will shine and prosper don't let someone or something take that away from you. Be you.

"Believe in yourself." You hear those three words all the time from your family, friends, and random strangers. But, what does "Believe in yourself" really mean? The meaning is diverse and is different for everyone. For example, say you were trying out for the school's soccer team and you became really nervous and flustered. Do you say positive things to yourself? Tell yourself that you believe in yourself or that you can do this to keep yourself on the right track. What if it's the first day of a new job or you are entering an interview for the new job you really want? Do you tell yourself that you are amazing and you will rock this? A single positive affirmation or an encouraging thought can go a long way. Even if you think telling someone that they can do something is not a big deal, it is! That person is usually guaranteed to remember that you said that. It can make someones day, month or even year better because you made them smile and believe they can accomplish their dreams. You never know what a person is going through, so next time you are out an about don't forget to make someone's day better by saying three simple words... believe in yourself.

Hi everyone! Sorry I have not posted in a while. I have been busy studying and taking finals. While taking a study break I watched an episode of So You Think You Can Dance that really touched me. A dancer with Downs Syndrome decided to try out for the show. He was so happy just to be there. You could see his love for dance shine right through him. The judges even gave him a ticket to LasVegas to compete in the next round of the competition. This just proved that you can reach any goal if you just work for it. There will will always be bumps in the the road and obstacles that you have to overcome but that can not let that stop your determination to reach your goal. How you rise above these shows what makes you. If you think that you can't overcome these obstacles look for someone that inspires you. Everyone has someone that they can look up to. Find your person and talk to them. Let them know that they inspire you. Who knows, you may inspire them to! Just remember to always reach for your dreams, big ones as well as small, and always, always, be you. 

This past weekend I had the chance to attend HOBY, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership. Like I have said before, it is a leadership seminar for Sophomores. On my way there I was a little anxious because I didn't know what to expect. However, this experience turned out to be one of the best times of my life. Throughout the weekend I didn't see any judgement or hear and negative comments from anyone. That was amazing! Everyone could be themselves, no matter how goofy, and not have to worry what people were going to think. I can't begin to tell you how much I learned but I can tell you I loved it and it was an unforgettable experience. 

This weekend is The Miss New York State Pageant. I want to wish the best big sister, Miss Thousand Islands Allison Carlos, good luck! As she goes through each phase with grace and beauty she will show the judges she can do anything. She inspires me with her passion for her platform and everything she does. Good luck Allie! I will be there this weekend to cheer you on!