Heart Walk Awards Celebration: Mercer County

On Thurs. Dec 3rd, Mercy County College hosted the 2009 Greater Mercer Start! Heart Walk Awards Celebration. The event recognized the many personal and corporate volunteers and sponsors who come together and give as much as they can to ensure the success of the annual Greater Mercer Start! Heart Walk which to date raised over $380,000 for the American Heart Association. Senator Peter Inverso (top photo) will be the chair for next year's event which is scheduled for Sept 12, 2010. Survivor Ambassador Emily Straley (shown above) was also in attendance with her lovely supportive family. Congratulations to Emily for winning the T-shirt design Award! For more information on the 2010 walk please visit http://www.mercercountyheartwalk.org/.

United Talented Youth Inc. Kreative Kids Pageant

One of my greatest joys is to see young girls go after their dreams with great confidence and sheer determination and that is exactly what I witnessed when I attended the United Talented Youth 's Kreative Kids Pageant at Essex County College in Newark, N.J. The theme of the evening was "The Adventures of SuperKidz!" and the beautiful girls in the competition did not disappoint! They were all intelligent, focused, talented and poised with dreams of one day ruling the world and you know what? I believe they will!

Haddon Heights Holiday Parade

Let the holidays begin! I must say, I really do LOVE this time of year!!! I had so much fun on friday Nov. 27th, at the Haddon Heights Holiday Parade. The parade rode down,beautifully Christmas decorated, Station Ave. in Haddon Heights. I was able to share the wonderful experience with former Mrs. Haddon Heights, the gorgeous Olga Berry ( who was also my roommate at Mrs. NJ) and her equally beautiful daughter, former Miss New Jersey National Teenager, Vladyslava Levchenko. The parade route was lined with beaming children of all ages eagerly anticipating the upcoming holidays. Thank you to Laura Olt for inviting me to beautiful, festive Haddon Heights!

Supporting Our Veterans.

On Sunday November 22nd I was able to say a special thank you to some brave men and women who served our country in the Armed Forces, at a breakfast held in Marlboro,NJ for the Jewish War Veterans. I spoke about the importance of supporting our veterans and the appreciation I have for those who risk their lives to ensure the freedoms that we all enjoy living in this great country! I left the event filled with pride and inspiration. If you know a vet in need of support and services, please direct them to http://www.njveteranshelpline.org/.

Miss Queen City/ Miss Union County Pageant

On Nov.8th, It was my great honor and extreme pleasure to host the Miss Queen City and Miss Union County Pageant, an official preliminary for the Miss America Pageant. The young ladies who competed that night were all beautiful, intelligent, talented women who are passionate about their platforms and role models in their communities. I was so impress with how well they presented themselves and how supportive they were with one another. Miss New Jersey Ashley Shaffer made an appearance and shared some advice and words of wisdom with all of the contestants. Also in attendance was former Miss Union County, my good friend, Tiffany Williams, Miss New Jersey Outstanding Teen, queens from the National American Miss & National Co-ed systems, the newly crowned Little Miss Queen City & Little Miss Union County and many others. It was truly an evening to remember. I want to send a special congratulations to first runner up Lauren Talvacchio, the new Miss Queen City Nychole Hunt & the new Miss Union County Nicole Washington!

Mid- Way Get Together...

The beautiful, sassy firecracker also known as Donnalyn Giegerich, Mrs. Red Bank, was so gracious to host a cocktail party to celebrate my half way mark as Mrs. New Jersey. Mrs. Red Bank who placed first-runner up at the Mrs. NJ United States pageant welcomed me along with, Rita-Ann, Mrs. Sussex County, Andrea, Mrs. Greater Princeton, Elise Counts, Founder of "Lovely You" and some of her gorgeous friends and neighbors for an evening of laughter and fun as we shared stories about life, love, work and family. We had a ball! Thank you Donnalyn for a great girls night in.

Happy Halloween!!!

Ghosts, Goblins, Superheros , Princesses and Cartoon Characters galore...All were present and accounted for along with me, Mrs. New Jersey United States and the lovely Patricia Sullivan, Mrs. New Jersey All American at the Bordentown Halloween Parade. The side walk was filled with wide eyed parade watchers as we waved, threw candy and wished everyone a happy and safe Halloween!!!!

New Jersey's East Coast USA Pageant

Congratulations to my pageants sisters Rita-Ann & Storm for the phenomenal job they did competing in the East Coast USA New Jersey State pageant. Rita-Ann placed 1st, winning Swimsuit & Personality and Storm placed 4th, winning Fitness. I had a wonderful time playing catch up with Evelyn, Mrs. New Jersey United States 2008 , Catherine, Mrs. Somerset County 2009 & Andrea, Mrs. Greater Princeton who were also there to support the lovely ladies.

Walking For Autism..

On Sat. October 3rd, I was an eager volunteer at the "Autism Walk" in Longbranch, NJ, benefiting Autism Speaks. It was a beautiful day filled with great entertainment and family fun. I was so inspired by all the families who came out to support their love ones dealing with the challenges of Autism. One of the great things about being Mrs. New Jersey, is being able to help out for causes that are near and dear to me. I have a nephew who is Autistic and I know first hand the importance of early intervention and further research. Please support the cause, for more details visit www.autismspeaks.org .

Strike a Pose!

I am very excited to be one of the models featured in an online video commercial for Mikatoure, where fashion and pageants meet. For trendy pageant apparel and to view the video, click on http://www.mikatoure.com/.

Iron Chef , Lawrence Style!

On Sept. 14th, I was one of three judges who participated in choosing Chef Mario Mangone, owner of the Chambers Walk Cafe, as the "Iron Chef" of Lawrence, NJ. Chef Mangone's worthy challenger was Chef Jim Moore, who is also a patrolman at the Robbinsville Township police Dept. The theme of the competition was "eat local " and the challenge was to use food that grown locally in Lawrence. I can tell you that both Chefs made excellent use of all the chosen ingredients which included a beautiful array of fruits and vegetables, a wonderful assortment of fine cheese and the best cuts of pork chops that you have ever seen. The food was absolutely delicious!!! This great event raised $900 for the Lawrence Township Education Foundation. You can view an article on this event at http://www.centraljersey.com/.

A Night At the DoubleTree!

It was my great honor to be invited to speak at the DoubleTree Hotel in Princeton, NJ, at a beautiful cocktail reception for potential clients and guests. I spoke about the relaxing stay that my fellow pageant sisters and I got to enjoy the night before our competition. If you are ever in the Princeton area and need a place to stay that has all the comforts of home plus great food and service, try the DoubleTree Hotel. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Lakehurst Navy Employee Picnic

Lakehurst Navy Employee Picnic

I really enjoyed spending the day with the wonderful men and women who risk their lives to defend our country. The weather was beautiful and so were the people. I would like to extend a special thanks to Kenneth Mosby for showing me around and teaching me a little something about vintage cars.

New Jersey State Fair, Sussex County NJ

Independence Day Parade, Randolph NJ

Miss Liberia Pageant, Rutgers University

Ladie's Night!

Taking time out to enjoy the company of great friends at my new favorite resturant, Villa Barone in Robertsville.

Miss New Jersey Pageant, Ocean City, NJ

Ladacin Network Groundbreaking Event

Pageant Expo, Newark NJ