The Calm before the Storm

Emma (Barb, Miss Salem County ED's daughter) my new fan!


The end of summer. For some it means moving back to college, beginning a new grade or even in a new school completely. For Miss New Jersey, it means even more time at voice lessons, endless hours at the gym, and my head completely engulfed by interview preparations. For Ashley Shaffer, however, it also means, the beginning of FOOTBALL SEASON!!! WOO!!!


Yes, I'm so excited for College Game Day and Sunday Football (wait til November when College Basketball starts, I get worse!) So even though my preparations for Miss America will be consuming my time and focus, at least I have football to help me get away, now that I will no longer have the beach!

This past week was the calm before the storm. I enjoyed my final day at the beach, as well as the last cup of Ice Cream (even though, I hardly ever eat Ice Cream, I figured I would treat myself one last time to celebrate the end of the summer season). But my duties as Miss New Jersey certainly continued, Miss New Jersey never gets a vacation! Haha!

First, Miss New Jersey wouldn't be here without her great volunteers! A HUGE thank you goes out to Joan Lucas! She has been instrumental in helping me get some gifts for the golf outing, and she always spoils me with such great gifts! Thank you so much Joan for all of your love, encouragement, and generosity!

Also, Silvia and Lou, you know how much I love the two of you for always being so supportive of me and my dreams! Thank you for the lovely dresses again, and thank you for the love not only that you show me, but to each of the young women who enter this organization!!

Wednesday I interviewed with the wonderful Gary Gellman, and "Let's Talk." It was a great interview, and he might be able to get me to sing for the Giants during the football season, which would be the ultimate dream come true! Once I find out more information about air-time I will pass it along!

I also attended the Miss Allstate pageant on Saturday night. Brittany and Joan once again put on a great pageant! I was able to meet Mr. Delaware 2008, Chris Saltalamacchio and Miss Kent County 2009, Julie Fuller from Delaware who were both so nice and fun! My heartfelt congratulations goes out to Ashleigh Udalovas being crowned Miss Allstate 2010! Also, great job to all the contestants, you were all so intelligent and talented, please continue to compete because this organization will help you gain more than you can ever ask for!

Ashleigh Udalovas, Miss Allstate 2010

To the talented and beautiful and always Miss Allstate 2009, Jackie Mercandetti, I wish you all the best in the future! It was such a pleasure to share the Miss NJ stage with a fellow Monmouth County girl! I have no doubt that your talent and passion for the Broadway stage will carry you very far!


Georgi DiMaria, my "sister" and Miss New Jersey 2006

BEFORE I FORGET, a huge shout out to Cadet Sergeant Gavin Kent White for inviting me to his 500 days ball in January. I leave 3 days before for Miss America, but I wanted to thank him publicly for the invitation! I'm so honored and flattered that he would ask me to attend! Thank you for you service to our country!

Don't forget about my golf outing on September 23rd! We are doing very well, but we definitely could use some more Golfers! We hope that we can get more support for the wonderful charities!! Thank you for all of your support thus far!

That's it for now! Til next time!

A Special Dedication

Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter. -- Brad Henry

When you become Miss State, it is one of the greatest things to ever happen to a young girl who has dreamed of being Miss America. But, it is so important to remember that there will be people who want to say they helped you, or want to say they are your friend, but you know they aren't. As Miss State you have to be so careful as to who you let in your "bubble." I'm so lucky to say that I have a wonderful group of individuals who have been there before the crown. So I'm dedicating this blog to them. The certain number of individuals who have been everything to me. My Family.

First, Rosanna Consalvo Sarto and the entire Columbus Day and Bonnie Blue Foundation. You have become my family, and a truly wonderful group of individuals. Thanks to your guidance and advice, I was able to achieve my dream of becoming Miss New Jersey. Thank you for everything.



To Linda, my superwoman, trainer, and best friend--Thank you for kicking my butt, and truly always pushing me for 4 years! You are an inspiration to me, and have become like family to me. You may not realize it, but you have changed my life. I am a better woman because of you!

To my best friends--Kristin, Kristy, Alex, Rachel, Kate, Kevin, Jeanette, Lauren, Denise, Peter, Brett, Mark and everyone else who I text, BBM, and/or Facebook on a semi-daily, weekly basis, thank you for touching my life, and your continued love and support. You have been there before the crown, and I love you all for believing in my crazy dreams!

To my wonderful family, thank you for always supporting me and always believing in me. You may not have always understood my dream, but you loved me unconditionally. Words can never describe how much I love you, and I'm forever grateful to be blessed with your presence in my life.


*A special note to a woman who wanted me to walk on the Miss America stage, and for whom I dedicated my work with my platform. Francis Buongiorno, my grandmother. She always knew I would do great things with my life, so now I am doing great things for her! (she passed in 2003, so there are no recent photos of me, but I know she is smiling down on me everyday I wear the crown)

To my sister and best friend, and the woman I admire so much--Words will never be enough for me to thank you for being the greatest sister! You have always taken care of me, and shown me endless support and love, even when I'm the biggest brat in the world. You have been the greatest role model someone could ask for. Your beauty, brains, and strength are incredible, and you deserve the world. I love you more than you will ever know!



This final section, is dedicated to the two people who have to deal with me Day-in and Day-out. Who have yet to throw me out, even through my moods and attitude. Who pick me up when I fall, who still feed me, who know what I look like in the morning, who still give me money if I need it, and never stop loving me for being me! Crown or no crown, they have always believed in my abilities without falter. They were honest, but kind and have shaped me into a woman.

Beyond pageantry and the endless amount of time they have dedicated to help me become Miss New Jersey, they know me for me. All the time I yell at the TV when the Giants aren't playing well, my converse sneakers and ripped jeans vs. heels and Sherri Hill evening gowns, the endless amount of gum I chew, and the fact that I still break out in zits! They never stopped teaching me that a lady's real beauty comes from the heart, and having love in your life, you can move mountains! They are my rock. I certainly would be here without them, literally. But, they have made me Miss New Jersey, but more importantly a better woman. I love you, Mom & Dad, more than you will ever know!

Back to reality...

For years I have dreamed about being Miss New Jersey, and you always hear what former Miss New Jersey's have experienced, but never would I have thought that I would be Miss New Jersey. When people say, "Hey! That's Miss New Jersey!" I still want to turn and say "Where?!" It's truly an indescribable feeling to have achieved my dream to be at Miss America. And, you always think you know what comes with the territory, but until you live it, you have no idea.


Truly, a surreal experience, cannot even put into words...

Upon my return home from Orlando, I was quickly thrown right back into reality, and enlightened with a renewed sense of focus and determination. My thirst for success invigorates my quest for the Miss America crown. I'm truly unlike any Miss New Jersey, my journey was quite different to the crown, and I intend on making it one of the best years of my life.

I've been meeting with various individuals, organizing my Golf Outing to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. I'm also beginning a cookbook filled with healthy recipes and ideas for parents and families to promote healthy lifestyles in the home. This cookbook will be sold, and proceeds will benefits local school health programs, and the Children's Miracle Network.

Wednesday I interviewed with the esteemed Joan Hamberg about my road ahead for Miss America, and some of the many things I have to look forward to as Miss New Jersey. She was just so much fun to talk to!

Joan Hamberg @ The Oyster Point Hotel, Red Bank, New Jersey

I've also begun preparations for Columbus Day Weekend, as I prepare to crown the new Miss Columbus Day. I'm so excited for that weekend to be a part of the festivities, but I'm really sad because my sister will be giving up her title as Miss Atlantic County 2009. I really don't want to think about that, because I will start to cry again.


I love you Krysten!

Saturday I attended the Miss Seashore Line/Coastal Shore/Cape Shores triple crown pageant. A BIG congratulations goes out to the newly crowned local titleholders Kate Bozzelli, Brianna Durand, and Kayla Ghanavati. I wish you all the best of luck, and a successful year! I also had the chance to sit and speak with the panel of judges who were so much fun, and a great way for me to practice my interviewing skills! They had so many questions, it was so much fun to get to know them!

(LtoR) Kate Bozzelli-Seashore Line, Kayla Ghanavati-Cape Shores, Brianna Durand-Coastal Shore

Me and Kaitlin Davis-Miss Congeniality!

I also want to send my love and best wishes to Chelsea Lee Ray, Jachele Velez, and Katie Hope! You ladies are truly extraordinary women, with such bright futures ahead of you. It was such an honor to share the Miss New Jersey stage with all of you! Katie--I wish you all the luck in the world in your quest to become Miss America's Sweetheart! I know you are going to represent so well, and I just hope you have the time of your life! Maybe bring some corn home for me?? :-)


me and Katie Hope--July 2008

I also received my Swimsuit Plaque from Silvia on Saturday, and that is the one trophy that I will cherish forever. The hard work and focus it took to achieve that is beyond anything I could have imagined. It's going up very high on my wall!


Thank you Richard for putting this collage together!


Now it's Sunday, and I'm exhausted! Again, people always tell you that you are going to be tired as Miss New Jersey, but you really don't know until you experience it!
Until next time...

Health and Happiness!

Everyday is another adventure...

It is now August, and I can't believe that I have been Miss New Jersey for 2 months already! I thought July was great, but August has turned out to be even better! There has been so much since my last blog, and I can't wait to share it with you! Before I do, I have some exciting news!

I BIG thank-you to some of my new sponsors for my wardrobe to the Miss America Pageant.
The Red Carpet Pageant and Prom, Tesi Bridal Boutique-Ventnor, and Stefanie Somers who will be doing my jewelry for the pageant. Please Visit their websites and patronize these amazing individuals, just tell them Miss New Jersey sent you!

Tesi- http://www.tesibridal.com/
Red Carpet- http://www.theredcarpetprom.com/
Stefanie Somers- http://www.stefaniesomers.com/

I traveled to South Carolina in late July to spend time with my family, but they threw me a fabulous Welcome Party! Everyone was so supportive, and they are all looking to travel to Las Vegas to support New Jersey! After returning home I attended the Miss Maine Invitational. I was able to meet a few of the other contestants including Virgin Islands, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, and District of Columbia. We toured Schoppy's, the Miss America offices, as well as the infamous Boardwalk Hall. I even sang a few notes on the stage. There is nothing more exciting than to be on that stage! The girls were so much fun, and I can't wait to spend more time with them. I can't forget about Night in Venice, and the fabulous Nancy and Art Abbot for their generosity! Their boat is amazing, and I had so much fun dancing and singing the entire parade!


I started the month of August at the Westfield Summer Day Camp. The students were so much fun, and I received a beautiful picture from a young girl named Morgan. Also, I was asked by a little boy who looked exactly like Harry Potter, to draw the scar on his forehead like Harry. He wanted me to make sure I told everyone that I met someone famous! On August 4th I attended National Night Out in Freehold, New Jersey signing autographs, and meeting with Freehold Township Committeemen. This event was dedicated to ending violence in our communities, and uniting the citizens together. The support from my neighboring community was so much appreciated.

Being the Grand Marshal at the Cape May Baby Parade was such an honor, and the babies were just so adorable! I also shared lunch with Queen Maysea 2009. I've also been very busy with my Golf Outing! Please if you are interested in sponsoring or playing the tournament, it's going to be a great time! I hope that everyone will come out and support this great cause!

Now for Orlando, first let me congratulate my beautiful little sister, BRENNA WEICK, 1st RUNNER - UP to MAOT! She was just absolutely beautiful all week, and everyone just adored her. I could not be more proud of her and her accomplishment!


Orlando was also such a great time to meet with all of the contestants. We had VIP access to Universal and experienced the new Simpsons ride, Spiderman, Men in Black, and two Rollarcoasters, which were the best part! It was so hot that day, but the girls were so much fun! Thursday Morning we were up bright and early to tape for TLC and the first meeting with Miss America, and Sam Haskell. That was so much fun, and then my personal interview with TLC Online went so well. I LOVE the camera, and had such a blast. We did a few promotional photo shoots for Miss America's new Go Green initiative. I did a little shopping as well as with my roommates Massachusetts, California, and Kentucky. Friday night we had the opportunity to attend a Miss America Fundraiser at the beautiful Siegel Estate in Orlando, the food was amazing, and we danced the night away!

My fellow MAO Class of 2010 contestants were so sweet and great to get to know. It's so weird to say that one of the 53 young women I met, will be the next Miss America. I'm so excited for January just to get to spend more time with them all! I LOVED my roommates, we also enjoyed some quality snuggie time! But all the girls are just so much fun, when everything was all said and done we were so upset that we had to leave, but we all had our duties to attend to in our own state! Especially me!


I rushed off the plane on Sunday afternoon to Atlantic City where I sang the National Anthem at a "Welcome Home" party at the Taj Mahal for members of the 50th IBTC Brigade. It was so great to welcome them home and thank our service men and women for the many sacrifices they made.

So that's it for now, but I can't wait to share my many other adventures throughout the next few months as I prepare for the Miss America Pageant!