Wednesday, April 11, 2012

April 11, 2012

The most exciting event this past month was officially welcoming a new champion child and family to represent Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in New Jersey. There was a fun 80’s dance party at Children’s Specialized to kick off Ariana McGuire’s year as champion. We were dressed 80’s style, ate cupcakes, and danced to “Living on a Prayer.” What could be better?


I must also commend Gianna Trotter, last year’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s miracle child. I have been privileged to spend time and learn from Gianna during my reign. Even though I am older, I look up to her, and have such great respect for her. She is an inspiration to all, and I know she has the brightest of futures! Thank you, Gianna, for being my friend!!

I also enjoyed dancing at Anna Negron’s CMNH Zumba fundraiser. Dancing for Children’s Miracle Network seems to be the theme because in just over a week, on April 21st, there is an event called Stepping out with the Stars. If you have seen Dancing with the Stars then you have an idea of what it will be like. There will be four “stars” each paired up with a professional dancer. The stars are Amy Mansue, President and CEO of Children’s Specialized Hospital, Morris Lenczicki, Vice President of Operations at L’Oreal USA and Treasurer of Children’s Specialized Hospital Board of Trustees, Michael Harrison who is also a member of Children’s Specialized Hospital Board of Trustees and ME. I have been working with my professional partner, Nikita Malakhov, on the rumba and will competing against the other dance couples. This event is a fundraiser for CMNH, and I encourage you to purchase tickets through the following link.   http://www.childrens-specialized.org/Events/Event-Calendar/Event-Details.aspx?EventDateTimeID=1483
Another fun CMNH fundraiser scheduled is at Saks Fifth Avenue on April 18th from 5 – 8 PM.  Please come and support this worthy cause.


A room without books is like a body without a soul. Or so Cicero says and I tend to agree with him. Work on my platform of course continues. Some of the schools I have recently visited are Notre Dame Academy, Country Side School, Guardian Angel Academy, and also the Children’s Montessori Schoolhouse, in Woodbury, who generously donated children’s books to Reading for the Right Reasons.



This past month I was invited to the Westwood, a reception hall in Westwood, NJ, for their 50th year anniversary. It was a night of a community and family celebrating years of successful business. I certainly know my stomach enjoyed that event - especially the dessert room. Later that weekend I was in Harrison for their annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Throughout the parade I was asked if I am Irish. It reminded me of the Columbus Day festivities where I was asked if I was Italian. Luckily I am both Irish and Italian by at least a small percentage and was able to answer yes. New Jersey is considered the most diverse state in the nation and that is one wonderful thing that I have been able to experience representing this state.



Until next time,
Katharyn Nicolle
Miss New Jersey


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Happy Read Across America celebration! The National Education Association is building a nation of readers through its wonderful program, Read Across America. Now in its 15th year, the program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources. This special day is celebrated on or near the birthday of Dr. Seuss and thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books. My platform, “Reading for the Right Reasons” supports this mission, and I was a guest at the Buckshutem Street School in Bridgeton where I read Green Eggs and Ham, The Foot Book, and some of my other favorite books. I have always loved Dr. Seuss books, and he seems just as popular as ever. It is so rewarding to see kids excited about books and reading!
In preparation for the Samuel Mickle School’s March Madness Reading Contest and book drive I visited with all of their third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students. They will be reading the entire month of March in order to earn an ice cream party. I hope they remember to invite me to that celebration also. Recently, I was invited to St. Mary Elementary School and Our Lady of Mercy Academy. I have to admit I was nervous about the latter school because I had a blue feather in my hair and gold metallic nails. (That story to come.) I wasn’t sure it was appropriate showing up to a Catholic school like that. However, I felt rather ordinary- looking when I got there because it happened to be a special dress goofy day at school and the girls had really outdone themselves. In addition to these schools I also spoke to the Wenonah Women’s Club and the Washington Township Rotary Club about my experiences as Miss New Jersey and my platform “Reading for the Right Reasons.”

It has been an exciting month for Children’s Miracle Network Hospital (CMNH) in New Jersey. At the Children’s Specialized Hospital launch breakfast CMNH sponsors got a chance to connect, brainstorm, learn and even fuel a little friendly competition. We also were introduced to our new Champion Child for this year, Ariana McGuire. Check out this video about Ariana on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81oBqxfNVXM
February 28th was National Pancake Day and I met up with past and present Champions at the IHOP in Brick, New Jersey. It happens to have been the IHOP to raise the most funds in the entire nation for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals over the past two years. Miss New Jersey contestants have also been busy fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network, and I have enjoyed attending their fundraisers over the past few weeks. Coming up on April 21st there is a CMNH fundraiser called “Stepping Out with the Stars.” It will be a dance competition (Dancing with the Stars style), and I was invited to be one of the stars. I have been learning how to Rumba from my professional dance partner, Nikita Malakhov. I won’t say too much more because I don’t want to give anything away about the performance.J



As promised, I will explain the blue feather and metallic nails. I was invited to a Jersey Couture (Oxygen network) Red Carpet event in New York City. I walked the red carpet (which was really yellow), received a manicure by Minx Nails, had a blue feather clamped into my hair, and was photographed and interviewed. To watch a video of “Stuff Jersey Girls Say” go to  http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2012/02/miss_new_jersey_katharyn_nicol_1.html . It was an exciting night meeting the many fascinating New York celebrities.

Last week I attended an event hosted by the organization, Weddings for Heroes. They provide charitable wedding services programs (awarding sponsored weddings)  in the form of weddings, wedding services, wedding receptions, ceremonies or vow renewals, to combat wounded U.S. military personnel, U.S combat veterans and active duty military facing hardships, or otherwise underprivileged at no cost to them. The event was held in Red Bank, NJ at the Oyster Point Hotel. If you would like more information about this worthy organization please go to:  http://www.weddingsforheroes.org/
It is remarkable how the local pageant season has already come to an end, and we now know all 25 girls that will be competing for Miss New Jersey 2012. The last two girls to be crowned were Samantha Mason, Miss Cumberland County and Olivia Michael, Miss Stars and Stripes. They are new to the organization, and we welcome them to the family.


I recently wrote an article for my church newsletter and thought that I would include it in my blog.

Miss America Reflections
By Katharyn Nicolle, Miss New Jersey

I think for a lot of people, we wonder sometimes what it would be like to have a fabulous high profile life style just like the celebrities we read and hear so much about. From the time I arrived in Vegas, I got to see what that was like. Living in a hotel room, constantly being surrounded by security, and people ogling at you everywhere you go was so very different from the life I am familiar. However, there were so many times throughout the ten days in Las Vegas that I couldn’t help but feel like I was a part of something truly great and much bigger than myself. Miss America is the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work by more than twelve thousand women throughout the United States. It is about representing those young women and everything that they have accomplished, learning new skills that can be used for the rest of our lives, gaining confidence to stand on a stage and showcase our talent, be comfortable enough to wear a swimsuit on a stage with four inch heels, promoting some type of cause that we are truly passionate about, and earning scholarship to continue our education. That ten days in Vegas was just a highlight of the kind of women that are everywhere in our country, working every day to uphold everything Miss America stands for. So to start off I could not be more honored and humbled to have been one of the last 53 contestants standing at the finale of such a year.
Now for the fun stuff: We kicked off the week at out arrival ceremony at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Everyone was wearing outfits from Express which is Miss America’s newest clothing sponsor. It was done Bachelor style, with each girl being presented with a rose. The next morning was a Children’s Miracle Network/IHOP pancake breakfast. There were quite a few Miracle Kids from the Las Vegas area to help us make and then demolish pancakes. A little boy named Chris sat at my table with his parents and he was excited to have the morning off from school and spend time with the Miss America contestants. Then we were all headed to rehearsal where we spent most of our time. We had three preliminary shows to put on not to mention the final night show which would be broadcast live on ABC. I was pulled out of the second day of rehearsals to first get my hair and makeup done by the Express runway crew, and then I did an interview with Tall Pony, our production team. After that I was interviewed by Amway who provides scholarships for the Miss America pageant, but also is the official skincare sponsor of Miss America through Artistry by Amway. Friday night we were all taken to The Venetian to watch Phantom of the Opera.  I already loved the show, but I have to say Vegas has a way of kicking up the drama. Everything from the costumes and set to the special effects were spectacular. Saturday night we were models in an Express fashion show. Sunday was a very long day because we were all over the city of Las Vegas filming the opening that was played on the final night. It was very exciting because we got a chance to see first- hand what it was like to film a music video.
Monday was the official start of the competition. I had my private judges’ interview. The judges were Mark Ballas, Raúl de Molina, Mike Fleiss, Kris Jenner, Teri Polo, Chris Powell, and Lara Spencer. I loved my interview and was asked a range of questions from what inspired my platform, my thoughts on Chinese/US relations, and what my hypothetical red carpet gown would look like. It was not until after my interview I realized, “Wow, I cannot believe I was just interviewed by those people.” Another very exciting thing happened on Monday. I found out that my favorite author, Orson Scott Card, found out I was competing and sent me a signed copy of my favorite book, Ender’s Game. He reminded me that happiness does not lie in the votes of others. They were perfect words of wisdom for that week.
Tuesday was the first day of preliminary competition. I performed my talent, ballet en pointe to the theme of Superman. Wednesday, I answered my onstage question regarding my platform “Reading for the Right Reasons,” and Thursday I had the swimsuit and evening wear competition. My favorite part of the competition was evening wear just because there is no other moment in my life which I have felt more confident and beautiful as when I walked across the Miss America stage. I wish that every girl could experience that at some point in her life.
Friday night there was a gala to say goodbye to Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011. Then Saturday was the big day. One of the girls that we had just gotten to know over the past 10 days was going to be the new Miss America! The show started out electric. Unfortunately, I did not make the first cut, but I enjoyed watching the top 15 become 13 and then 10 to 5. You don’t know who to root for because you consider every single one of them your sister. In the end, Laura Kaeppeler from Wisconsin became Miss America 2012. She is certainly a worthy winner, and I am proud to call her my Miss America. There are quite a few times during that competition when you worry about how you are doing or are uncertain about what will happen. One thing that the contestants constantly talk about is the fact that God has a plan for each of us and as long as we trust in that, the outcome of the competition will be right and good.
Until next time,
Katharyn Nicolle
Miss New Jersey


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

February 1, 2012

It is an interesting feeling to be standing on this side of the Miss America pageant, an event that I have been dreaming about my entire life. As proper behavior demands, I have to say that it was an excellent experience from which I have returned with a multitude of friends. It is a relief to admit that this is very close to the truth. It was indeed an excellent experience, one that I am so fortunate to have been a part. At this time, it is hard to tell if I have made lifelong friends for only more time will tell for sure. However, I hope to be worthy of such friendships to these young women. I certainly have a bias, but I daresay that this was the most fantastic class of contestants yet to grace the Miss America stage. They have been an inspiration to me in the way that they conduct their lives. From their dedication to their platforms to their surety of success in the future, the class of 2012 will no doubt be a force to reckon with in the years to come.
I have to mention my roommate, Jackie Jerlecki, from Indiana. From the moment we met and found our shared obsession with the man of steel (Superman) we knew we were going to be perfect together. Early on we decided that efficiency was going to be our theme for the week and Jackie was perfect at maintaining while keeping my scattered brained self on task. I especially loved meeting troll. (Every Miss Indiana brings the same small pageant troll as good luck.)
Our new Miss America, Laura Kaeppeler, was in South Jersey last week to visit Atlantic City and also to stop into Underwood Memorial Hospital in Woodbury. As a surprise, Lou and I met up with her for dinner. I am pleased to announce that she is really enjoying her duties as Miss America! I have to admit before meeting up with her for dinner I was a little nervous. I was going to be with the one and only Miss America after all. My nerves were abated immediately because she really was no different from the sweet, smart and down to earth girl that I competed with for 10 days in Vegas. I am confident that whoever she meets during her year will also feel drawn to her warmth. 

Tennessee Williams once said, “Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.” I believe this to be very true, and I am blessed with so many loving family and friends. Before, during, and after the Miss America pageant, I have been showered with good wishes and steadfast support.


This past weekend I had to say good bye to Natalie Ragazzo as my little sister. She had a great year as Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen. She is everything that is wonderful about teenagers. She is so full of that electricity that gives you energy when you are with her. She is beautiful and talented with the whole world ahead of her to conquer. However, it was not just a night for farewells. Amanda Ross is the newly crowned Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen, and it is my pleasure to welcome her to the NJOT sorority. I have no doubt that she will do an excellent job this year because she came out of a group of extremely competitive girls. I am so excited to get to know her the second half of my year.



Until next time,
Katharyn Nicolle
Miss New Jersey 2011

Monday, January 2, 2012

It is here! After months and years of preparing, sweating, anticipating, and dreaming…the Miss America 2012 competition is about to begin. I leave from Philadelphia International Airport tomorrow and will arrive in Las Vegas tomorrow night. The events will start on Thursday with the arrival ceremony at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino and culminate with the crowning of our new Miss America on January 14th live on ABC. I cannot wait!
Prior to Christmas I was invited to Wenonah Elementary School, where I attended kindergarten thru sixth grade. Mr. Vogel, the principal, led me down to the gymnasium, opened the doors, and the entire school surprised me with a huge surprise pep rally. The students were holding signs, the band was playing, and everyone else was singing an original good luck song. The Home and School Association presented me with flowers and Mr. Vogel had quotes from my former teachers. My second grade teacher was even able to find a poem I had written about penguins that I then shared with the entire student body. It was an excellent opportunity to highlight how much the school had shaped me, particularly my love of reading. If my platform, Reading for the Right Reasons, has a beginning it would be at Wenonah Elementary.
There is also a large sign hanging in front of the Wenonah Public Library (such an appropriate location) wishing me good luck at Miss America. It is such a wonderful feeling to have the support of my community. I would like to thank everyone for all the love and support that I have been given. I am so proud to represent the state of New Jersey!



Till next time,
Katharyn Nicolle
Miss New Jersey


Tuesday, December 27, 2011

December

I am one week away from leaving for Miss America, and it hardly seems real. An event I have wished and hoped for my entire life and in a blink of an eye it will be over. I am fortunate to say that I am enjoying each and every moment.
My efforts for improved literacy and a love of reading continue. I had the honor of speaking at the New Jersey Teacher’s Convention at the luncheon for higher education and The Dionne Warwick Dream Academy. I especially liked visiting The Dion Warwick Dream Academy in Newark, NJ because my visit was themed around achieving your dreams. We talked a lot about the hard work that must go into making dreams come true. I also appreciate the many parents that attended the presentation because it is my belief that parents can play a key role in encouraging their children to dream big, work harder, and then reach further. The students were excited to be able to pick out a book to take home as well. A big thank you goes out to all those who have given donations of books and especially Five Below. There are so many children lacking the reading material they need to enhance their passion for reading and the generous donations help to aid that tremendously.
Supporting Children’s Miracle Network, the national platform, is also very important. This past month I participated in the Ramapo College Dance Marathon to benefit Children’s Specialized Hospital, an affiliate of Children’s Miracle Network. It was a wonderful event that raised $12,369.03. I love to dance, but it was also special to spend the evening with the kids that will benefit from this fundraiser. This is one of the most rewarding parts of being Miss New Jersey.
I was privileged to meet William Cohen, former Secretary of Defense. As an International Studies major concentrating on Security Studies, he is someone I look up to and admire. He wished me luck in my future in diplomacy and mentioned me as a future Secretary of State. Watch out Hillary Clinton!

For as long as I can remember I have woken up on Thanksgiving morning to turn on channel ABC and watch the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day parade. This year, however, was much different. Instead, I had the pleasure of riding in the parade! Natalie Ragazzo, Miss NJOT, and I joined the queens from Delaware and Pennsylvania, as well as Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Elizabeth Fechtel, to ride through the city of brotherly love on a beautiful Thanksgiving morning. There was only one small hiccup. To everyone’s great amusement, I accidently fell on one of the Christmas trees on our float…so much for grace. J We all enjoyed ourselves, and Dunkin’ Donuts put on a great parade.
After my morning in Philadelphia I headed back across the river to Cherry Hill, NJ, where I joined former Miss NJ, Jill Horner, for a surprise Thanksgiving feast for a group of service men and women in the military. This really was a fun event full of good food, dancing and a little trivia competition. I hope all the heroes that were there enjoyed their holiday even if it was spent away from loved ones and family. They cannot be thanked enough for the sacrifice they make to protect our country.  

 A few days after the holiday I had reason to be extremely thankful. The Miss Coastal Shore Scholarship Pageant, under the direction of Michael McCann, my local title director, hosted a huge send-off party for me. I was treated like a true queen as I received many well wishes and gifts from many generous and loving people. I am so blessed to have the support of so many wonderful people. Everything was perfect about the party from the entertainment and centerpieces to the chocolate fountain. (I am a huge chocoholic.)

One of my favorite Christmas traditions has always been watching or performing in The Nutcracker. My dance studio asked me to perform again this year, and I am so thankful. Tricia Sloan Dance Center has been so supportive, and I cannot thank them enough. I had a wonderful time playing a party mom and dancing in Flowers and Spanish. 


With Miss America quickly approaching I have been working hard to prepare. I have received my competition gown which was donated by Crowning Touch and designed by Stephen Yearick Privata Inc. as well as my alternate gown donated by Ideal Fashions and designed by Tony Bowls. I cannot wait to wear them on the Miss America stage! I am also pleased to announce that Spa Villa is sponsoring my nail care for Miss America. Alanna’s Fashions in Mullica Hill invited me to spend a few hours in the store meeting customers.  The store then gave me a beautiful cocktail dress and Bella Lux was having a trunk show at the same time and also generously provided me with a dress. I am so thankful for all my sponsors!


Lastly, I would like to congratulate our new local title holders: Kayla Collymore, Chrystina Lewis, and Nicole Washington. They are the newest contenders for Miss New Jersey 2012, and I am very excited for them to be a part of the Miss NJ family.


Till next time,
Katharyn Nicolle
Miss New Jersey 2011


Monday, November 14, 2011

November 14

It has been the month of books and literacy.  I have given over 1,200 books the past couple of weeks to students all over New Jersey.  I have gone to elementary schools, visited classrooms, and shared with students that reading can be fun.  A common question I get from students is: What is your favorite thing about being Miss New Jersey?  My answer is that I get to travel around New Jersey and meet students and talk about one of my favorite things in the entire world… READING!  It makes me smile when I can get students excited about reading. 


I have also had the opportunity to attend a few Literacy Volunteers of America events.  The most memorable one was when I visited their facility in Camden.  During the couple of hours I spent there I spoke with many adult students with ages ranging from early 20s to 60s. There were quite a few students that were working toward their GED.  One of the questions I had for them was: What was their reason for improving their literacy?  Many of them talked about improving their reading and math skills so that they could get a better job or get a job in the first place.  One common reason that many students seemed to have was that they wanted to be a positive influence on their children and family members.  They wanted to be an example of how education can improve their living standards.  There was one young woman who will forever be etched in my brain.  Her child was recently taken away from her because she was seen as being unfit to care for her child.  She explained to me how that event had been rock bottom for her.  She was so determined to get her child back she came to the Literacy Volunteers of America to improve her reading skills so she can get her GED and a job.  She will then be able to support herself and her child. For the last five years I have concentrated so much on improving literacy in children by getting them excited about reading.  I have now learned more about the struggles that illiterate adults face.  This is why it is so crucial that we as a society work to insure that children do not leave school without the literacy skills they need to be successful in their lives.
Please also visit the website of Michael Antonio shoes.   http://www.michaelantonio.com/  They have generously sponsored me this past month and supplied me with the most gorgeous and fashionable shoes and boots.  You can also find them on Facebook! Thank you Michael Antonio!!
Congratulations to our new title holders Lauren Talvacchio, Hilary Levin, Christine Skorenko, Lindsey Giannini, and Madison Alterman.  The pageants have been wonderful to watch and our new competitors have a wonderful year ahead of them.



Till next time,
Katharyn Nicolle
Miss New Jersey 2011


Friday, October 14, 2011

October 14, 2011

The closer January and the Miss America competition get, the faster time seems to fly. It was a very busy month and lucky for me I will not be getting bored any time soon. I want to start out by thanking everyone who has helped me in raising money for Children’s Miracle Network. I want to especially thank the Ocean City Exchange Club for their generous donation.
There have also been quite a few girls crowned recently: Nychole Hunt, Breanne Ray, Olivia Jennings, Courtney Fairfield, Ellen Chu, Cierra Kaler-Jones, Carissa Palumbo, Venessa Baez, and Lindsey Petrosh. Congratulations to those girls, and I wish them the best of luck during their year and this coming June’s competition.
This past weekend was Columbus Day. I got the chance to participate in three different parades and see many Italian-Americans honored for their service to the community. I also had a chance to practice my Italian when I met some Polizati di Stato in East Hanover. It was a great weekend in which to celebrate the strong Italian culture that permeates New Jersey.
The last bit of warm weather is about to leave us, but I was able to make use of it at a golf tournament for the USO at Balla Golf Club in Philadelphia. With every golf team we had a little competition of who could take the goofiest picture on the course. I am not sure who won because there were a lot of funny ones, but the pictures served as good entertainment while they played on a slide show during dinner that night.
 I am so fortunate to have so many sponsors that are helping me prepare for Miss America. One of them is Brandon Bonnet. He has been helping me train in fitness and conditioning. The Crowning Touch located in New Bedford, MA is providing a competition gown for me and Ideal Fashions which has locations in Washington Township, Hammonton, and Margate is providing an alternate gown for me to wear at Miss America. Cosmetics are being provided to me by both Bobbi Brown and Lancôme, and La Bottine Boutique in Ocean City gave me shoes and jewelry. Watch for me in November on the Michael Antonia website showing off shoes that they have also generously given me.
I have been taking a Dale Carnegie class and one of my many favorite things about the class is reading quotes from Dale Carnegie himself. He has compiled a lot of wisdom which he has been sharing with others throughout most of the last century. In closing I want to share some of what Dale Carnegie said, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” This is one of my goals for the upcoming few months. I want to always be striving for fun while I am Miss New Jersey.
Till next time,
Katharyn Nicolle
Miss New Jersey 2011