Brittany Baker has been selected by the Miss New York-USA pageant to represent Genesee County in the upcoming competition, but since there is no local event to crown her Miss Genesee, Baker asked the county legislature on Wednesday to give her permission to use that title.
Members of the Ways and Means Committee didn't feel the title is theirs to bestow, but they had no objection to her being called Miss Genesee in the competition.
Baker said she was told she needed a letter of support.
"What if I am Miss New York and go on National TV," Baker said. "I think it would be a great thing if I started out as Miss Genesee."
Legislator Ray Cianfrini said that he didn't see an issue with the legislature not objecting and offering its best wishes on her effort, but since nobody really owns the name "Genesee" it wasn't the legislature's place to grant her that title.
A graduate of SUNY Brockport, where she majored in broadcast journalism, Baker is a former staff writer for the Batavia Daily News and The Batavian.
After the meeting, Baker said she's already received a good deal of support from the community for her effort -- Salon VIP did her hair; Photos by Roth took her portfolio shots; and Next Level Fitness has provided her with a gym membership.
Next, she'll be looking for sponsors to help her raise the money necessary to enter the competition.
When the Oakfield-Alabama grad goes to New York City, she'll still be a relative rookie in beauty pageant competitions.
She admitted to the legislators that she hasn't spent a lifetime preparing to be a beauty queen, to which County Manager Jay Gsell said, "What? There isn't a picture of you as a 2-year-old in a tiara?"
"If you find a picture of me as a 2-year-old, it’s out somewhere in a cornfield in Basom," Baker said.
Thank you Howard! I really
Thank you Howard! I really can't begin to express how grateful I am to live in a small county that is riddled with such great opportunity - You don't need to live in NYC to represent New York and I hope I do us proud! I'm doing all I can to prepare for the pageant and I'm finding that I don't have to go far for what I need...
I live minutes away from a brand new gym filled with supportive people who make me actually enjoy working on a swimsuit body - imagine that! I - like a million other women i know - should have just taken this leap so long ago. Do it for yourselves ladies! You won't regret it! Thanks to Shawn Pursel at Next Level Fitness, I am already seeing results!
Next Level isnt the only business in the area that has made me look in the mirror with more confidence. Salon VIP has done so much more for me than just give me an awesome hairstyle - I have caught myself trying new things and spending more time on my hair simply because I know how great it can look now! Jody and Gillian are life changers, not hair stylists!
This whole pageant thing became real when I got to look at my proofs from the first photo shoot. Photos by Roth have been so gratious and professional, my pictures look incredible! Steve and Laurie really proved how much they care about the final product during the entire shoot.
So wish me luck Genesee County! If you see me sweating my butt off at Next Level, feel free to send me some inspiration! I look forward to a year of fundraising and helping out local and national charities, feel free to contact me if you would like my help!