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