Summer Time Fun Has Begun

June is always a busy month for me from dance rehearsals, showcases, recitals, auditions for community theater, school coming to an end, the Miss New Jersey parade and to the crowning of the new Miss New Jersey but it always proves to be an exciting month.

Things started to heat up with my dance company showcase and my performance of Cha Cha Heels. Recital was equally as sizzling, it was one performance after another. My favorite was the Hip Hop Zombie Bride to Threatened by Michael Jackson. My hair was teased, I had dark makeup on, the customs were ripped and to complete the outfit were Chuck Taylors.

Things cooled down just a bit as I head down to the Miss New Jersey Parade to board “Pirates of the Crown” with my pageant sisters. The float was awesome thanks to my Mom, Dad, Grand-Mom and Grand-Pop. Our ship featured a 15’ sail, crown treasure chest, plank, ghostly driver and let’s not forget the confetti cannons (special thanks to the Grdinich Family). I had a blast and so did "me matees"!

For the first time this summer I got the sand between my toes as well as getting my first sun burn :( However, my burn wasn’t the only thing that was hot and the temperature starting rising as the Miss New Jersey competition kicked off with their tribute to Red, Hot and Blue. All the contestants were great and, as I know myself, only one person gets to walk away with the crown, Congratulations to Ashleigh Udalovas. The after party was so much fun and I got to dance the night away with some awesome friends, Brenna Weick (NJOT 2009), Chris Saltalamacchio (Mr. DE 2008), Kaitlin Davis (Miss GC 2010), Andie Babusik (NJOT 2010) and my sister queens Madison and Kara.

The next adventure was Westville Day and I tried to keep cool by sipping some homemade lemonade. Thanks to Mrs. Welsh and Madison we had a table where we were raising money for charity by selling lemonade, fresh fruit cups and freeze pops. Equally as important was the fact that I was able to promote “The Bullying Stops Here!” I am proud to say 106 people signed a petition indicating that “The End of Bullying Begins with Me”. I handed out Anti-Bullying book marks, peace lip balm and peace sunscreen. Bullying will only end when people stand together to change what has happened to so many. It stops when people like you and me stand up and say, “Enough!”

So far my summer is off to a good start I can not believe we are already wrapping up June. Time flies when you are having fun, stay cool!!!

Beyond the Crown….

"There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few that will catch your heart. Pursue these." Michael Nolan’s words are so true and She’s the First http://www.shesthefirst.org/ has truly captured my heart. She’s the First is a grassroots campaign that helps to enable girls in developing nations to have a better future with an education thru their online directory of schools with sponsorship programs.

We in America take for granted our public education, while in developing nations some girls never have the option to attend school. With an education these girls can overcome poverty, grow up to be leaders and better their world. With our help a young girl may in turn become the first in her family to graduate, the first female president of her country or even the first to discover a life saving drug. It’s possible that She’s the First but only with our help and every girl deserves the chance to be the first!

My personal mission is to help a young girl in Nepal who is living in the Kopila Valley Children’s Home. In 2007, Maggie Doyne of Mendham, New Jersey started construction on the Kopila home, in the town of Surkhet, that she built on a piece of land bought with $5,000 she had saved babysitting during high school. The vision of the home is to “sustain and improve the quality of life and the future for children of Nepal.”

How was I going to raise the money to see my mission through was my next question. With a little help from my mom, we came up with a project “Pocket Change for Change.” I figured we all have a little spare change jiggling in our pockets so why not put some collection boxes in local businesses. My good friends at Red Carpet Prom and Pageant allowed me to put one of my boxes at their register during Prom season. Wireless Electronics had one at their Berlin location and thanks to a special supporter, Janet Shaw, Kabuki Salon also had a box on display.

However, I had not raised enough money so I put my thinking cap on and decided to have a charity yard sale. “All things Girly” was a huge success and I was excited to have my mentor, Kaitlin Davis drop by. Although I was sad to see all my American Girl dolls and clothes go I was happy to know that the money was going to a good cause.

I am proud to say that with the help from my “own village” and complete strangers I have raised enough money to start my sponsorship. I can’t wait to see who my new friend will be and start writing back and forth with her. My hope is to continue to sponsor her year after year helping this young girl become and educated young women.

By the way, I am the first in my family to speak German!

My Crowning Moment

Being crowned Miss New Jersey Junior National Teenager was very exciting and "fantabulous". My category had a great group of girls that were beautiful from the inside out. No matter what the outcome would have been I had an awesome weekend. Thanks a bunch to Mrs. Weick, Brenna, Heidi and Madison for sharing this weekend. My Preteen sister, Madison, and I have been friends for years but never pageant sisters so this year should be extra fun. I can not wait to see my other sorrority sisters, Samantha and Kara, compete as well as the sweethearts. For me the crown is about more than smiles, outer beauty and "world peace". It is about the opportunties provided to young girls like myself to earn scholarship, volunteer in our communities and all the while honing interpersonal skills and boosting self-confidence. I am looking forward to a year long journey filled with great memories and new friends. "Each day comes to me with both hands full of possibilities." -Helen Keller.

Starting a blog

Being from Generation Z and having technology at my fingertips, it is time to start "blogging" so that I can share my adventures. I want to be a role model to others by leading the way through my actions, dedication and creativity. All the while encouraging them to set their goals high, make a difference in their own communities and follow their dreams. This is just the beginning...