STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island’s own Gabriella Marinelli shone brighter than ever this weekend in capturing the prestigious second runner-up title at the Miss New York Scholarship Competition.
The 24-year-old Dongan Hills resident delivered a standout performance and dazzled a panel of eight judges, proving that grace, talent, and a powerful community message are a winning combination.
Marinelli, our reigning Miss Staten Island, performed a compelling jazz routine to “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” a tune from the musical “Funny Girl,” before a packed house at the Cultural Arts Theater at Rockland Community College in Suffern, N.Y.
For her Community Service Initiative, she’s spent her year spreading awareness about “Promoting Mindful Media,” a project that encourages media literacy education…