Garden City Mom Competing For Mrs. New York International Title

For Garden City resident Tish Rothenbach, living with endometriosis and fibromyalgia has oftentimes been an uphill climb. At the age of 27, this mother of two underwent a complete hysterectomy seven days before her youngest son turned 1.

Rothenbach, now 30, said she's blessed, though flare ups have challenged every day life at times. "[I] have gone through all the stages of 'grief' in learning to live and accept this invasion of my body, my life and my family!" she said.

Mrs. Garden City International is hoping to bring awareness to both diseases as she competes for the Mrs. New York International title Saturday at Villa Roma Resort in the Catskill mountains region of upstate NY. Rothenbach is no stranger to pageantry, first competing while in middle school back in Skipperville, AL. Saturday will be Rothenbach's sixth competition.

"As I am learning to live with endometriosis and fibromyalgia, I sometimes see myself as my picture … sideways, different from others," she said. "In fact, I am different and as Mrs. New York International I would help others to live with endometriosis and fibromyalgia too, helping them see themselves not as 'different' but as an individual that must learn to live differently."

Mrs. International showcases women age 21 to 56 who at married at least six months and are a resident of the state she represents. Rothenbach will interview with five judges, which accounts for 50 percent of her overall score. She will also show off an evening gown of her choosing as she is escorted on stage by her husband and model fitness wear, both of which account for 25 percent of her overall score. Beauty consultant Josephine Frey is doing Rothenbach's makeup and will attend Saturday's pageant.

Each contestant also has the opportunity to select a platform of her choice that she will spend the year promoting. Prizes, including a crown and banner, will be awarded to the winning contestant along with the opportunity to represent New York at the Mrs. International pageant in Chicago this July.

"I am learning that life isn't over just because I am 'sick,'" says Rothenbach. "Simply my message is … live the life that you are given and lean on God. For Romans 8:37 reminds us that 'in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.'"

For more info about the pageant, visit http://www.altoassociates.com/indexNY.html.