Reflections from the throne

Emma Carey, 17, never expected to be crowned Miss Wantagh — a teen representative of the community and a voice for her peers –– when she met government officials. She took interest in the program because she wanted to participate in community events and, most important, help local folks in need. 

According to Miss Wantagh Coordinator Ella Stevens, all of the responsibilities linked to the crown came naturally to Carey. 

“Emma has done so much in her reign that Wantagh should be proud to have such a devoted young lady representing this town,” she said. “She has not shied away from any deed or project that she feels she and her court can be involved with that would help this community.”

Carey received what many Wantagh residents consider to be one of the most prestigious local honors at the 80th annual Fourth of July parade. Four months later, Carey reflected on her tenure and how she plans to bring positivity to the community throughout the holiday season and beyond. 

Since 1956, the Miss Wantagh organization has crowned a Wantagh High School sophomore or junior. Wantagh is the only community in Nassau County that has kept the community-based pageant tradition going for six decades.

But Miss Wantagh is not a beauty pageant. According to Angelica Balitsos, Miss Wantagh 2013, it’s about becoming a role model. 

“Miss Wantagh reaches out and listens to our community,” she said. “Most importantly, Miss Wantagh needs to embody the morals and heart of a Wantagh-born-and-raised and be willing to give the most she possibly can back to her hometown, which has given her so much.”

Carey won the title at the historic 60th anniversary. Brianna Coltellino, Grace Anne McKenna and Courtney Cardona were first, second and third runners-up. Kayla Schmidt and Isabella Santeramo were named ambassadors in the court. 

“I was so proud of myself,” Carey said of winning the crown. “This is something I’ve been wanting for a while, so it was really nice to get that recognition and know that my hard work is paying off.”

Although Carey is new to the title, she is no stranger to the Miss Wantagh organization. She became involved when she was named an ambassador during her junior year of high school. She became the first person elected Miss Wantagh after holding a position in a previous court. Her roles in community service were just as impactful as an ambassador as a crown winner, and she said she learned a lot from her predecessors. 

Stevens said she believes that each winner has created history in her own way. With each passing year, she added, Miss Wantagh has taken on more projects — just as Carey plans to do this school year. 

“Each Miss Wantagh of the past decade has laid out a course they wanted to follow,” Stevens added. “Emma has continued preserving the legacies of these past Miss Wantaghs, and has added her own vision to their long list of accomplishments. Her accomplishments will now become her legacy.”

Shortly after the crowning ceremony, Carey and her court went straight to work, brainstorming campaigns and projects that would benefit their hometown. The group helped with school supply drives in September, promoted breast cancer awareness seminars, fueled an anti-bullying campaign on Unity Day on Oct. 19 and “adopted” the Wantagh Preservation Society, assisting the group at its 50th anniversary celebration on Sept. 24. 

“We all have the same responsibilities because we are all Miss Wantagh … one person just so happens to get a crown,” Carey said. “I do a lot of technical stuff, like setting programs up, talking to school officials and being someone people can talk to.”

Although Carey is busy with college applications and rehearsing lines for two local theater productions, she said she would always find time to help others. She expressed excitement about the holiday season because she’s collecting food and clothing for those less fortunate. 

Carey will also be meeting more of her neighbors, as the court attends seasonal events such as the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce holiday lighting, the Snowball Run and the American Legion and preservation group celebrations. She said that she’s grateful to do it all alongside Coltellino, McKenna, Cardona, Schmidt and Santeramo. 

“You really develop friendships while being in Miss Wantagh, and that’s the most important thing,” Carey said. “We created a sisterhood, and we all work together like a well-oiled machine.”

Stevens said that she was proud of all that Carey and her court have accomplished. “Their examples of giving back and compassion for our community will not only make Wantagh a better place this year, but will serve as excellent models for future generations.”