Yonkers Native Honored As Miss Westchester 2012

YONKERS, N.Y. – Growing up on McLean Avenue in Yonkers, Kristy Abreu said she always knew she wanted to make a difference in the community.

Now, she has the stage to do just that.

Abreu was honored at Yonkers City Hall on Monday after being crowned Miss Westchester 2012 earlier this month. City Council Majority Leader Wilson Terrero, filling in for the absent Mayor Mike Spano, issued a proclamation declaring Monday “Kristy Abreu Day” in the city.

“This has been an amazing experience,” Abreu said afterward, surrounded by her family. “I did not expect any of this. It’s all been a blessing.”

A freshman at the College of Westchester, Abreu, who is 18, was crowned Miss Westchester earlier this month at the White Plains Performing Arts Center. The 2011 graduate of Riverside High School in Yonkers will now represent the county in January’s Miss New York USA pageant.

In the meantime, Abreu said she plans to use her platform as Miss Westchester to raise awareness of breast cancer as well as cyber bullying.  

“After my year as Miss Westchester, I would like people to know that I made a positive impact in many people’s life, that I was a title holder that resembled hard work and perseverance, but most importantly that I represented the Hispanic community as well,” she said on the Miss Westchester website.

Eventually, Abreu said her goal is to obtain an associate’s degree in business marketing before getting a bachelor’s degree in communications. The hope, she said, is to one day become a television reporter and maybe start her own clothing line.

But for now, she is focused on the pageant early next year.

“I’m very excited to represent the Westchester community this upcoming January,” she said. 

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