Levittown Resident to Compete For Miss New York USA 2014

Levittown resident Melissa Ocampo has announced that she will soon be competing for the title of Miss New York USA 2014.

Ocampo, 24, is a graduate of MacArthur High School. She has been competing in beauty pageants since 2007 and has won several beauty pageant titles and awards.

"Winning the prestigious title Miss New York USA has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl," Ocampo said.

Ocampo said she believes that winning this pageant will help her "connect to a bigger audience, with the goals of seeing a positive change in society." She has volunteered for the Nassau County coalition against domestic violence and throughout the years, she has raised awareness of the early signs of an abusive relationship.

"I want to see a decrease in domestic/dating violence," Ocampo said. 

This year, Ocampo is giving up her birthday for clean water. Instead of receiving gifts for her 24th birthday, Ocampo is asking people to donate to the non-profit organization, Charity Water. 

"After the recent tragedy in the Philippines I encourage people to reach out to those who were affected by giving anything they can from clothes, medical supplies, and food," she said. 

The contest takes place from Jan. 17-19, 2014 at the Purchase College Performing Arts Center. The winner will represent New York at the National 2014 Miss USA.

You can help support Ocampo by sponsoring her at GoFundMe. The sponsorship money goes towards a number of expenses, including advertising costs, travel and overnight lodging, costs to produce the pageant, publication of her photograph in the Official State Program Book, etc.