Con te Partiro
Time to say goodbye...

Getting interviewed by the WPIX 11 Morning News Anchors!


Singing the National Anthem at the Racetrack!


The signed stud for the home in Asbury Park!

So here we are...the end of the road. My last official appearances as Miss New Jersey 2009. What a ride this has been, and such a wonderful journey. I have memories that will last a lifetime. I am truly so grateful to have been blessed with this honor of representing the state of New Jersey. I always dreamt about being Miss New Jersey, and now that my year is over, I still can't believe that I was Miss New Jersey.

In the blink of an eye you become a celebrity, and all I could think my entire year, was that I was just an everyday girl, I'm nobody special. I learned so quickly the importance of living in the moment and cherishing the experiences in front of me. It feels like someone hit the fast forward button, and all I want to do is hit the STOP button, haha!

I have been so busy the remainder of my year preparing for after my year is done, as well as going to all of my appearances, so lets get to the fun stuff!

SATURDAY MAY 29TH, 2010
I had the pleasure of judging in the Jersey Coast's Habitat for Humanity Lego Building Contest. We colored houses and then the children were broken up into teams who designed their own Lego House. The winning team build the most incredible Lego house. The imagination these kids had was unbelievable and completely blew me away! I also won tickets to a Trenton Thunder game that from NJ 101.5 Radio!

Signing the stud!


My house!


Judging


The winners of the Lego building contest!

WEDNESDAY JUNE 9TH, 2010
I traveled to Wildwood for the St. Ann's Catholic School D.A.R.E graduation. As a keynote speaker, I congratulated the students for a job well done, and encouraged them to continue to use the skills they learned from the program in the real world. D.A.R.E is such a wonderful program, and a great way for students to learn the importance of abstaining from the use of Drugs and Alcohol. They even had a police dog demonstration, which was so much fun!

With Officer Yuhas


The D.A.R.E graduates!

SATURDAY JUNE 12, 2010
The first part of Saturday afternoon I was the featured guest at the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life. I sang the National Anthem and signed autographs for the kids. This is a wonderful foundation who provides assistance for numerous other charities and believes in helping everyone, not one specific cause. Graeme Preston was a 12 year-old boy who died from injuries he incurred in an automobile accident. The family was truly an incredible group of people, and I had a wonderful time!

Singing the Anthem

Saturday night I was off to the Meadowlands Racetrack for the infamous Tom Alturi Miss New Jersey Final Race. This was the last, but one of the most exciting appearances. I sang the National Anthem and presented the trophy to the winner of the race. I also got to ride in the started gate car! That was the most incredible experience to see the horses running right at you! The SBOA sponsored the dinner, which was delicious! I enjoyed the night at the track, and it was certainly an experience that I will never forget!

The winning horse!


In the starting car with the driver! How exciting!


Crowning SBOA member, Anthony Parenti!


Presenting the trophy!


Getting interviewed by Bob!

So now it's time for Miss New Jersey week 2010. I can't believe the year is coming to an end. I have truly been so blessed, and I can't wait to see who my new "sister" will be! Stay tuned for any updates on my facebook and twitter! As well as the end of the week when I will recap the entire week of events. And discuss my new little sister!

Until next time...Health and Happiness.

One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.

With my Class of 2000 Banner in the Middle School!


Enjoying the beach in Ocean City!

3 weeks...just 3 weeks, and there will be another Miss NJ. I have been so busy that I just can't believe that the time is flying by. You know everyone tells you to enjoy every minute, and you always reply "yeah, yeah" but you never really think the end is coming, but it does. Way too quickly. It truly takes my breathe away, thinking about all that I have experienced during my year, and there are no words that can ever accurately describe what this adventure has been. I believe I am one of the luckiest girls, because never did I ever think that I would be a Miss New Jersey. And even though it's been a full year, it still seems like it was all a dream.

But onto more exciting things...I haven't written since April, so I'm going to try and talk about all events since then...here we go!

April 30th, 2010
St. Michael's Golf Tournament--I had a wonderful day taking pictures with all the golfers, and participating in this very exciting day! Even though I didn't get to drive in the golf carts, I still got some sun!



The Volunteers!


My photographer!

May 6th, 2010
Martin Mollusk Day--I was the featured guest to kick off the start of summer! We waited anxiously that day to see if Martin the Hermit Crab saw his shadow, which he did! So that means we have an extra week of summer! Woo hoo!

Getting the hermit crab ready!


Pictures for the press!

May 8th, 2010
Shirley Mae and Gilda's Club Walk- I had the honor of singing at this wonderful walk honoring all those suffering or have suffered from Breast Cancer. This was truly such an incredible experience to be amongst so many amazing people. I certainly was so nervous to sing for such a large crowd! Thank you to Joan Lucas for being an amazing hostess, and for taking care of me! :-)

Enjoying some photos!


The Miss NJ Team!

Cranbury Anti-Drug Day-
Right from the walk I went to Cranbury, NJ where I was a guest with my gym at the Anti-drug day. I had the chance to talk with some students about living healthy lives, as well as participating in their t-shirt fashion show!
pictures to follow!


Now onto the Marathon week/weekend...

May 20th, 2010
New Jersey Champion's CMN Kick-off--I had the pleasure of being a part of the day to send the New Jersey Champions Mackenzie and Michael Wight on their journey, and tremendous experience! I had the chance to honor them by awarding them crowns. I can't wait to hear about their amazing trip. I also had a chance to talk with one of my judges, Phillip Salerno. Phil is such a huge supporter and it was so wonderful to talk with him about my year. Not to mention to thank him for providing me this amazing opportunity.

With the entire Wight Family!


With my judge, Phillip Salerno!


me and Mackenzie! Such a wonderful girl!

May 21, 2010
Millstone Middle School- I was honored as the Keynote speaker at my alma mater, Millstone Middle School. I spoke with the 8th grade students about following their dreams, and not limiting themselves. They were so much fun! I also had the chance to see many of my former school teachers! Talk about a blast from the past!

Speech time!


Signing autographs!


With Mrs. Ferraro my former Peer-to-Peer adviser!

Monroe Village Senior Facility-I continued my busy day, heading to Monroe Village where I spoke to residents, and sang a few songs for them. My mother works for this facility, so it was very exciting to meet many of her patients and residents! They were all so sweet!

The Candy lady gave me candy! (I swear I didn't eat it, I know I have to be in my gowns!)


Speaking with some residents!

May 22, 2010
Secaucus Day Parade--This was such a fun event, who doesn't love a good parade?! This was the first parade they had in almost 10 years, so I felt honored to become a part of the first in so many years! I signed so many autographs that day, I think I got carpel tunnel just from that day!

In the parade route!


Signing some autographs, woo, my hand was tired!

May 23, 2010
Princess Party--5 young girls won a prize to spend the afternoon with me, and eat a healthy snack! We also played games, and danced around. I felt like a kid again! They were the sweetest young girls, and I just had so much fun being a princess with them!

Eating lunch!


The girls! Too Cute!

May 24, 2010
JP Case Middle School--Bright and early Monday morning I was on my way to Flemington, NJ where I was the featured guest for the 7th and 8th grade students. I spoke to them once again about my platform, but also about life and making the right decision in their life. So many questions, and I even demonstrated what it felt like winning, by bringing 5 students down to talk about being in Top 5. The students laughed their heads off!

I knew he was giving me bunny ears! haha!


Demonstrating Top 5!


The principal and the gym teachers who asked me to speak!

After all of that I'm exhausted, but I'm not done! I need to get back to studying for GMAT so I can go to business school, and I'm also taking life guarding and CPR classes, so I can work this summer! So I certainly have been going non-stop! But I love it!

So off I go for more appearances, and to study for my test, wish me luck!

Health and Happiness!

Where does the time go, Must we let it end
Where does the time go, Gone too soon my friend...

With the Somerset Patriots mascot!




With Mackenzie and Michael, this year's Champion Children!


Kaitlin, last year's champion child!

Well this has certainly been a very busy week and a half! So let's see, where to begin!

First, on March 17th, I was off to Summit, NJ where I participated in the Summit YMCA Healthy Kids Day! I had a great time signing autographs and selling my cookbook. It was a definitely a cold day, but everyone was so much fun, and I was able to discuss my platform with many young children! It was such an honor to be a role model to young children.

With the mayor of Summit, NJ!


He wanted to be Miss NJ, haha!

Then on March 18th I went to Mt. Laurel, New Jersey to the Burlington YMCA Healthy Kids Day! It was such a busy day, and I signed practically 200 autographs that day! I couldn't believe how excited everyone was to meet me. I was so honored and once again pleased to share my platform and belief in healthy kids for a healthy future!

With a young fan! :-)


With the Wii Bowling champion!


With some teens attending the event!

Later that week I was a guest judge at Rider University for the Color me Violet pageant to raise money for Domestic Violence. I had the pleasure of sharing the panel with Miss NJ USA, Miss NJ Teen USA, and my very own little sister Andie! We had a so much fun judging the pageant, and I was so impressed with the young women. They were all very talented, and so well spoken. I want to congratulate Jasmine Adams, Miss Popular, and Destyne Pitts, Miss Violet.


With the other judges!


Jasmine Adams, Miss Popular!


Destyne Pitts, Miss Violet!

Then on Friday, I was off to Ramapo College for CMN's Dance-a-thon. I had so much fun judging the Dance Contest, as well as spending some time with my friends, Kaitlin, Mackenzie, Michael, and Amara, who are all CMN Children. Mackenzie and Michael are this year's champion children nominees. These children just are so extraordinary and are such an inspiration to me!


With the top 5 dancers!


With all the CMN children!


Mackenzie, Kaitlin, and Amara! The girls!


With Amara! She is such a sweet girl!

That evening Sally and myself drove all the way from Mahwah to Ocean City, to be ready for Miss NJ Orientation the next morning. I literally drove the entire length of the state of New Jersey, Over 150 miles total!

Then Saturday morning I was up bright and early for Miss NJ Orientation, and I am so excited to see what lucky young woman will be joining this tremendous sisterhood! I am so proud of the each of the contestants, they are truly a very talented group of young women! I know that any one of the women can make a great Miss NJ! Come out to support these young women on June 17, 18, and 19th!

I was so excited because I also received my Miss America DVDs! I was hoping to see how my talent was, as well as swimsuit and eveningwear. I must say, I know it wasn't perfect, and there were things I wish I could have done differently, but overall I definitely felt great about my performance. I truly felt that I represented NJ very well, and did everything I could to be the best me possible. It just wasn't meant to be for me!

Well don't forget, even though April is almost over, it is still Healthy Kids Month, but most importantly, our children's healthy is something we must pay attention to every day. They are the future, and their well-being is crucial. I hope that everyone might be interested in buying my cookbook, I'm selling them for $3.00. There are recipes that are healthy and affordable for families!

Well until next time, health and happiness!