Miss New York

Bethlene Pancoast

What is your hometown like?
Brooklyn is a hidden metropolis, under the shadows of huge skyscrapers, that is just as diverse as Manhattan, yet an integral part of what makes New York City unique. Brooklyn is home to famous Coney Island and has some of the most wonderful ethnic restaurants.

What were you like when you were a child?
I was surrounded by all boys, so I quickly became acclimated to video games, sports, cars and learned how to be independent. When I was not surrounded by the boys in my family, I was dancing.

Who is the most influential person in your life?
The most influential person in my life is my dad. He instilled in me my love for mathematics and science.

What is one thing about you that people you meet may not immediately realize?
I am a math geek. From the age of 5, I have been obsessed with math and its unique characteristic as a universal language.

What was one defining moment in your life?
One defining moment in my life was when I moved to New York City to attend NYU. I fell in love with New York and haven't returned home since. That was 6 years ago.

What was one defining moment in your life?
One important thing I have learned from being in pageants is that there are always many different opinions, but the one that truly counts and matters the most, is your own.

What was one defining moment in your life?
If I am named Miss America, I am going to Tap for Teens across the country, raising money and awareness for Miss America and for teen organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters; America's Promise; Right Decisions Right Now; Y.E.S. -- Youth Empowerment for Success; D.A.R.E. -- Drug Abuse Resistance Education and Youth Volunteer Corps of America. I will tap across the USA with a wooden tap board and my tap shoes.