Interview by: Priya Pindiprolu
East Alumni, Gabrielle Walter, Shines as Miss New York
In 1921, Margaret Gorman made history and became the first Miss America. The Miss America Organization began to give women a chance to be vocal and advocate for women’s education among many other important issues. The Miss America Organization still advocates for Women’s Education and is a great provider of scholarship assistance, to young women.
This past May, Williamsville East High School’s, very own, Gabrielle Walter became Miss New York, and a very important member of the Miss America Organization.
Walter and every state titleholder help to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and contribute many hours of community service annually. In addition, Gabrielle is the creator and founder of DreamUP America. DreamUp America’s initiative is to help children understand their potentials and make their dreams into a reality. Gabrielle is a graduate of Canisius College and currently a student at the University of Buffalo Law School. But before Gabrielle was Miss New York and helping children reach their greatest potentials, she was a member of Williamsville East, and wanted to make the most of her high school experience. Gabrielle took the time to sit down with me and share memories she loved from East, her journey to the Miss America stage in Atlantic City and more.
Pindiprolu: Who was your favorite teacher at WEHS?
Walter: Someone who has really been influential, was Mrs. Hohl. [Walters also gave shoutouts to Mrs. Reilly, Mrs. Fanning, Mrs. Desantis, and Mr. Nogowski.]
P: What was your favorite class?
Mrs. Masso’s Spanish Class. She was such a fun teacher and I love learning languages. But one of the things, that I remember is when we would watch, basically English movies in Spanish and we would translate. We would watch Frankenstein or Mean Girls.
What extracurricular activities did you enjoy during high school?
I was involved in the musicals, which I absolutely loved, it was so much fun. Especially, my first year, I got to participate in Beauty and the Beast. I was a cheerleader, every fall, as well. And I did dance outside of those extracurriculars activities. I was involved in student government, as Co-Secretary.
Which talent did East help you develop the most?
So when people often think of talent, they think of singing or dancing or acting. But I had taken a lot of science and math classes, I was really focused on, because I was thinking about going into med school. And it was the way that the learning environment was, especially with the open walls. And the difficulty of the class level, which was a structure that I really liked at East, that you could push yourself even further, in a specific area was a talent to think critically and on your feet and to be adaptable, in specific situations, because beyond those classes was where you learned skill, you can apply them to other things in life.
P: What words of advice would you give to current students at WEHS?
W: So in high school, I had so much pressure on myself to be the perfect student. I wanted to succeed academically, in extracurriculars, you know I wanted to have it all figured out. High school is a time where you no longer have such rigid class structures like you did in middle school, you can pick different electives, you can focus on different areas, whether you want to focus more on music or science or math or art or photography. And by trying different things or anything that you think you are interested in.
That’s where you can find what you are really passionate about. And you don’t have to follow…Because I think, there is more value in finding your individuality and what makes you unique and what you absolutely love and your passions are the things that matter. And you don’t have to have it all figured out. [Some interesting things about Gabrielle is that her favorite musical is Wicked. And one of her inspirations is Jessica Vosk, who recently travelled to Buffalo and performed as Elphaba in Wicked, at Shea’s Theatre. Being Miss New York, Gabrielle rarely has a free moment, but when she does, she loves to read, and watch Friends. Currently she loves the Idina Menzel cover of Tomorrow, from Annie, anything Sara Bareilles and while running, Love Runs Out, by One Republic.]
P: What is the most important thing to you?
W: Family, by far, you know it’s kind of a maze of things that go together, but family and faith and fostering pure joy in what you do in life.
[Gabrielle began her journey to The Miss America Stage three years ago, when she competed in Miss Buffalo. Her second prize, unfortunately, didn’t take her to the Miss New York, but then she competed in the Miss Bluebird Pageant and won first place. Then she competed at the state level and placed in the top ten. This past year, Gabrielle competed in the Miss Western New York Pageant and won the title, and travelled to the Miss New York stage, again. After a great deal of hard work and diligence, Gabrielle won the title of Miss New York, that recently to her to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to compete for the Miss America title.]
P: Why did you enter the Miss New York Pageant?
W: So the reason I wanted to get involved was because, not many people know this, but Miss America is a big provider of scholarship money. And I knew I wanted to go on to law school, and this could be a way to help pay for that. So I decided to enter, and I kind of had this thought, when you start with all pageants, you are kind of like, I don’t know how these girls are going to be, or how is the system. There is kind of a stereotype with that. But when I first entered, after my first local, I absolutely loved it, everyone was so nice, everyone was so friendly. I thought I want to try this again, so I came back next season and that’s when I got that first local title, to at least take me to the state level.
P: How did you feel after being crowned Miss New York?
W: Oh, I tell people this all the time, you’re still in shock when you, you know, talk about your life and how this all happened. And the best way I can describe it, is that it was a magical moment. It was one of those things where, like what are the chances? And this is such a blessing and it is such an honor. And I want to do so much with this title, and really educate people.
P: What have you done this year, with your Miss New York Crown and Sash?
W: I have done some pretty cool stuff. Now being Miss New York, I get to see all different parts of the state. And all of them are so uniquely different. I got to meet Sherri Hill, who’s a designer and a sponsor of Miss America. ut one of my favorite things are the kids I meet and Miss America partners with Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and we have nine Children’s Hospitals across New York State. Women’s and Children’s are just one we have here, that is our local one. And you have so much power when you walk into a room with that crown and sash on, you make a child’s day, you just take their mind off whatever they’re struggling with. And you walk in with such a blessing for your health and everything that you have and you really try and make a difference in others, and touch their lives in any way. You just really make a difference in these kids lives. And you form great relationships, great friendships.
P: How do you prepare for pageants?
W: The answer is I don’t really know. I realized that there is no formula, even becoming Miss New York, and now Miss America. I was expecting someone to maybe give me a magic book, and say okay Miss New York, these are all the things you need to do. But there isn’t. And it’s because there is no mold to becoming Miss America.
Every girl that becomes Miss America is different. And they are simply passing the crown and putting their own mark on their time with it, so often times when I prepare, I look at who am I and what do I want to come across on stage to the audience and to the judges and I read. I read about the news, because I know they have the interview and I practice my talent, I eat as healthy as I possibly can, but I am a firm believer in cheat days or treat days. You find downtime for yourself and just for your own healthy well being. And all together, just living your life to the fullest and enjoying what you do and also working hard, translates to the pageant world.
And I am a firm believer that my success is due to everything that I have done outside of the pageant world, everything I have done in my academic studies, everything I have done from East to Canisius to now applying and getting into law school, and I have completed two years there.
