CONGRATULATIONS CEYLONE BOOTHE-GROOMS OUR NEW MRS. NEW JERSEY UNITED STATES 2009

Congratulations to Ceylone who won Mrs. New Jersey United States 2009 on Sunday, May 24th (what a fabulous pageant!!! AWESOME).

Ceylone, congratulations on your much deserved win and wishing you nothing but the crown at Nationals. BRING IT HOME!!! Love you!

THIS IS IT!

372 Days!!! That's how long I was blessed with the title of Mrs. New Jersey United States 2008. Well, tonight we crown Mrs. NJ 2009 and how lucky that lady will be to have a year filled with such excitement and glory. There are so many to thank for supporting my dream during this year - my husband and son, best gal pal and pageant captain Pandora! Michelle and Christopher, my directors, the 2009 contestants (you guys made it soooo much fun!) I have made many new friends - Stephanie, Ceylone, DonnaLyn, Andrea, Regina, Lynette, and the list goes on.

Thank you everyone! for being my support! Thank you to all of the organizations who invited me to their functions allowing the opportunity to bring awareness to this awesome organization having made 98 appearances during my reign. Many thanks to the 2008 judges for having faith in me - hope I didn't let you down!

Thank you to my many sponsors - without your support the year would not have been as successful.

Congratulations to Robin Vitale, our Woman of Achievement for 2009! Well deserved.

I will post my farewell speech and photos later in the week, so please check back.

MICHELLE AND CHRISTOPHER - THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Final Appearance

Last night I made my final appearance as Mrs. New Jersey United States 2008. I made over 90 appearances as Mrs. New Jersey United States and each one was fantastic.

Thank you to Kim Hall for inviting me to participate in the Phenomal Woman's Awards Gala. Kim, you were awesome! and so were the ladies. Congratulations to all of the awardees.

Memorial Day Parade 2009

Today, the Mrs. New Jersey United States Organization was represented at the 1st Annual Marlboro Township Memorial Day Parade and ceremony. I was so moved when the American flag was raised and the wreath laid. Both of my brothers, Jay and Johnny, served in the military. Jay actual fought in Vietnam and came home a very different person. Johnny served in the Army. Remembering that my brothers served our country so we can be free moved me beyond my expectations!

We were also extremely fortunate to meet Congressman Rush Holt and Senator Jennifer Beck. Both of which represent my district.

Thanks to Ceylone Booth-Grooms, Mrs. Monmouth County, for arranging this appearance for us. We had a great time...it didn't rain :)
With Senator Jennifer Beck (wearing Red jacket/black skirt)
With Congressman Rush Holt (Center)

There's a Pageant for Everyone!

This past Saturday, May 9, I had the pleasure of judging a dog pageant along with Mrs. Greater Princeton, Mrs. Monmouth County and the Hightstown Girl Scouts. What fun...I was even able to take my dog T.J. on an appearance with me (second photo below). He loved it! Photos courtesy of Andrea

What a Happy Mother's Day

A wonderful day! My son, Marcus, came home from college for Mother's Day! Thanks M'nM! Marcus and my Mr. New Jersey (my husband John) joined us at the Trenton Thunder baseball game...of course, my focus was on the pageant ladies, their focus was on the game. My son plays college ball and I could see the twinkle in his eyes as he watched the Thunder win another home game. Thank you John and Marcus. I had a great day!

Mrs. NJUS at Trenton Thunder

(Okay, so I don't know how to throw a strike! :)

What a WONDERFUL DAY! Spent Mother's Day with 10 of our 2009 contestants and our Directors along with family and friends at Trenton Thunder Baseball game (they won!) where we all took turns throwing out the first pitch. A simply wonderful experience. Thanks to Michelle and Christopher for sponsoring this great event. Maybe we can make it a tradition????

Family Day

Included in the photo above are two of my beautiful students!


Today was extremely special attending Family Day in Hightstown. I was there to support one of my students who lost her Mom to breast cancer. Thank you to Mrs. Monmouth County for attending and bringing with her Miss East Coast Teen 2008 who sang and entertainted the many attendees. In the photo are Catlin (our little princess), her Dad Bob who put the event together and Mrs. Monmouth County 2009, Ceylone Boothe-Grooms and Miss East Coast Teen 2008.

Next Level Youth Scholarship Award Gala

Photos by Keith Jackson
I drove back from watching my son play excellent baseball in Delaware to attend the Next Level Youth Scholarship Gala Dinner in Hightstown. This was extremely special to me having raised $8,000 for the organization and then seeing the money put to good use by supporting two individuals embracing college careers. Congratulations to the recipients!

Mayor's Shinning Star Award

Photos by Liston Abbott
On Saturday, April 25th, I became the proud recipient of the Hightstown and East Windsor Mayor's Shinning Star Award. What a night!!! One of the best evenings of my life. We raise funds and support organizations simply because we care and for no other reason. To be recognized for your efforts is thrilling! I thank my very best gal Pandora for nominating me. This coming Wednesday, April 29th, the event will be televised in our area on channel 27. During the gala dinner I received a Proclamation from East Windsor, a Certificate of Honor from Hightstown and a Certificate of Recognition from Mercer County. There were many friends and family there (over 400 in attendance) and I introduced my husband as Mr. New Jersey during my speech :) Great fun! Wish I could relive the evening.

Thank you Mayor Mironov, Mayor Patten, Pandora and the award committee. I am honored.

On April 26th I had the pleasure of attending the March of Dimes Walk in West Windsor. The best part of the day was seeing a previous co-worker, Tracey, who had twins which required special care at birth. We hadn't seen one another in 8 years and I had no idea of the difficult time she endured when her twins were born. Seeing Tracey, speaking with her and seeing photos of the twins soon after their birth gave such purposed to my visit, I was moved beyond words!!!

NAACP Gala and Awards Dinner

This past Friday I had the privileged of being an invited guest to the NAACP Awards Dinner and Gala. There I had the pleasure of meeting some of the most amazing people ever! Sitting next to the keynote speaker, I was amazed by the hard work she does to help others, especially teenagers. Her name is Janice Teetsell, a judge in Essex County. It was also a joy to watch my sister, Councilwoman Jacqueline Johnson, present a proclamation to one of the awardees (she is so well spoken - must get her to enter a pageant!). When photos are available, I will be happy to post.

Spa Day and Lunch with Former Mrs. NJ's and 09 Contestants

What a FABULOUS DAY! Recently some of the 2009 Contestants, Mrs. New Jersey 2004, Beth Leska, Mrs. New Jersey 2006, Susan Huntley, and I enjoyed lunch and spa facials. We had such a wonderful time talking, looking at photos of Susan and Beth's crownings, eating sushi and having soothing facials!! Thank you ladies for attending.

Queen of Hearts Foundation

This past Saturday I was honored to be an invited guest to Carissa Palumbo's "Queen of Hearts Foundation" fashion show and luncheon to raise funds for the American Heart Association. Carissa (in 2nd photo below) did an awesome job pulling this event together. Even with the pouring rain, many came out to support Carissa's cause and platform. Carissa is competing in the Miss New Jersey America pageant on June 20th as Miss Gateway. Photos courtesy of Richard Krauss Photography.
With the wonderfully vivacious Ashley Fairfield, Miss New Jersey America 2008
The event organizer, Carissa Palumbo, Miss Gatway 2009. Carissa did a great job as the MC and was a gracious hostess.

Mrs. Delaware United States 2009

Congratulations to Marci for winning the title of Mrs. Delaware United States 2009! It was a pleasure watching you being crowned. Wishing you much success. Enjoy Vegas!
Mrs. Delaware United States 09
Mrs. Delaware America

Trenton St. Patrick's Day Parade

The Mrs. New Jersey United States organization was well represented at yesterday's St. Patrick's Day parade in Trenton where over 60,000 people came out in the nice weather to celebrate. Thanks to the 09 contestants for their time. A wonderful time was had by all while highlighting this wonderful organization! Many thanks to my sponosor, Windsor Nissan, for providing not one, but TWO cars and drivers!!!!

American Heart Association Luncheon

What a pleasure it was to help raise funds for the American Heart Association with so many beautiful women!

Turn for the Judges Poll

Thank you to all who voted for me during the recent TFTJ "Best Gown" poll. Truly an honor to have been selected as the winner of Best Gown in Mrs. Pageants for 2008. Thank you also to whomever nominated me and forwarded the photo.

Check it out: http://www.tftj.com/News/Poll_Finalresults.htm/191


THANK YOU ALL!!

Crowning Touch Trunk Show

Last year I purchased all of my wardrobe from the Crowning Touch. Swimsuit, interview suit and evening gown including the earrings! What a great selection they had. I highly recommend that all pageant ladies take the time to visit Crowning Touch on March 13 & 14. Time well spent. The Crowning Touch also donated my gown for Nationals and I have been nominated for best gown in a Mrs. Pageant for 2008! And, as you know, I made top 12! Many said it was because of evening wear. Without a doubt, I will be at the trunk show shopping for a gown to crown my successor!

Turn for the Judges

What a wonderful surprise and honor it was to see that I'd been nominated for the 2008 Best Gown award!!! I am truly touched! The gown I wore at nationals was part of the gift package as Mrs. New Jersey 2008 and was donated by our sponsor The Crowning Touch.

Please vote for me by visiting the link below. Your time will be greatly appreciated!!

http://www.tftj.com/News/Poll_Vote.htm/191

Guest Speaker at the Chapin School in Princeton

On February 12, I was the invited guest speaker at the Chapin School in Princeton - what an honor! I will post additional photos as they become available.

Mrs. New Jersey Cabaret for a Cause Benefiting the American Heart Association

Some of the 09 Contestants who came out to support AHA
My wonderful Step-Mom Barbara along with my Good, Good Friend Pandora and her daughter Brittany.
2009 Contestant came out to support our 2009 Triumph Award winner Karen Stives.
Mr. Anthony Hooper our Champion for a Cause Award 2009 receiptant.

American Heart Association "Go Red" Day at Trenton Devils