August 14, 2011

The great state of New Jersey has amazing people, and I am so fortunate that I am meeting them. I visited Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick with New Jersey’s Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) champion and my new friend, Gianna Trotter. We got to tour the hospital and spend time with some of the kids staying there. I have to admit prior to arrival I was scared about becoming too emotional. However, it did not feel like the overly sterile, cold, and serious hospital I had imagined. Children’s Specialized Hospital is a place of hope, progress, innovation, and at times even fun. During lunch, Gianna and I hung out on the teenager’s floor. They told us about their fun plans for that night which was to see a movie (if I can remember correctly the movie was Cars II). I went to this wonderful hospital feeling scared and left realizing a new perspective. Life can be simple: do not worry over things you cannot control, make the best of the cards that God gives you, and happiness can always be found if you can find the strength to look for it. 

Night in Venice was on the 16^th of July. As always I was glad to be back in Ocean City, but I got to experience it from a whole new angle. Night in Venice is not just a parade of boats through Ocean City’s back bays. It is a celebration of summer and a colorful display of Jersey shore pride. I want to thank Nancy Craig Abbott (Miss NJ 1975) for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful experience on her beautiful boat.

Two stores have generously donated clothing to me, and I am very grateful. I want to thank Sun Seekers in Ocean City and Fashion Rocks, in Cherry Hill. I also had fun participating in the Fashion Rocks fashion show at Top Dog. Thank you for helping me represent our state in style!
 
In July I attended a golf outing benefiting BEST, Inc. It was founded to aid students needing financial assistance to fulfill their dreams and goals of obtaining a college education. A mentor is assigned to each student who qualifies for an award, to then follow the student throughout his/her college career. My favorite part was hearing the stories of past recipients who had overcome hardship and adversity to succeed. Like the patients at Children’s Specialized Hospital, they were a true inspiration. 

I also want to congratulate our new 2012 Miss New Jersey contestants. I am so happy to welcome back Krysten Moore, Miss Bergen County Area, Angelica Nardi, Miss Seashore Line, Courtney Charatsaris, Miss Cape Shores, and Anna Negron, Miss Coastal Shore. They are all beautiful and so talented! 

Natalie Ragazzo, Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen, has just left for Orlando to compete for the national title. I am so proud to be her older sister, and I want to wish her the best! I am also thrilled to be going down to Orlando to root her on as she competes. As a former Miss NJOT I know that she is in for one thrilling, fun, exhausting, and just awesome experience. In addition to being a part of Natalie’s cheering section, I will also be quite busy while in Orlando. All 53 Miss America contestants will be meeting for the first time. We are going to be promoting the program and some of our sponsors, participating in photo and video shoots, and visiting Disney among other activities. I was also asked to be a co-emcee during the Tuesday night preliminary competition! I am honored to represent New Jersey!!  

Till next time,

Katharyn Nicolle

Miss New Jersey 2011