WOW!!  What can I say that would accurately describe this year’s Nationals in San Antonio TX.  E-P-I-C would be a good start! From the minute I landed I knew this was going to be an incredible 7 days! The Omni La Mansion Del Rio Hotel was all a five star hotel should be. Did I mention that it’s listed in the Best Seller Book “Top 1,000 places you want to visit before you die." Our host hotel lived up to its acclaim, it was gorgeous and is located on the world famous Riverwalk, which is about as Texas as it gets!  Riverboat tours, the famous Arneson Theater where Sandra Bullock filmed "Miss Congeniality", TexMex food that was out of this world, the pool with its Spanish flair was refreshing and inviting.  The staff was friendly, warm, and beyond accommodating. To top it all off...it’s connected to a Mall in case you are in need of some retail therapy.  All of this right outside my bedroom door! 

The NJ National Teenager State Queens Morgan McLees-Preteen, Vanessa Vause-Jr, Marissa Gerhart -Sr, Angela Castaldo-Miss, along with their sister Sweetheart Queens-Julia Keating-Preteen, Ma'Sonia McPherson-Jr & Jenny Gao Garden State Jr. arrived filled with nervous excitement and anticipation. 

National Teenager CEO, Jenny Telwar, promised this would be a week to remember and boy did she deliver! To back up her statement she rented the ALAMO for a private party to kick-off the week!  Yes, you’re reading that right, that famous place Davy Crockett once defended! Contestants and families were welcomed by a Mariachi Band, and traditional Texas Folk Dancers in authentic costumes. The ALAMO was all decked out in festive lights; tables were set under the moonlit Texas sky. Dancing, music, wonderful food, and newly formed friendships made this one of the most memorable ANTSO events ever! 

                New Jerseys "Magnificent Seven" at the ALAMO kick-off Party.

State queens, their families and even the national staff joined in the fun the next night at the Decade Themed Bingo event. Games, door prizes, good food, creative costumes, and the crowning of Mr. ANTSO, which is an event in itself, capped off another fun-filled evening.  Everyone was having so much fun it was hard to believe we were at a national competition! The stress many were anticipating was nowhere to be found!

The Riverwalk provided the perfect backdrop for national photographer Brad Helton to capture each contestant in an amazing setting that showcased her individual style and beauty along with the scenic beauty of Texas.

Sprinkled in among all the fun, photo shoots and rehearsals were contestant personal interviews, preliminary competitions in Decorated Jeans and Gown, along with the Optional Talent, Speech, Supermodel, Acting and state costume competitions.

The final show was all times of amazing from the fierce production numbers, to the light-up cocktail dress worn by the national queens, to the final awards and crowning. Thanks to the creative genius of the National Choreographer/Producer Mike Hartman’s and 80 of the nation’s most outstanding young women.  

NJ’s 2012 state represents, all seven of them, not only raised the bar on amazing accomplishments, they did it with style, class and grace. Five top five placements, three national talent awards, numerous scrapbook, speech, photogenic and supermodel awards. This year will definitely go down in the NJ pageant history books as one to remember.  Being named “Director of the Year” was the icing on my San Antonio cake!

BECAUSE ANTSO GIRLS DO BIG THINGS… DREAM, ACHIEVE, BELIEVE!

(Scroll down for a glimpse into each girls journey)

As we start a new year, it’s refreshing to be able to look back and reflect on the dreams and achievements of the reigning NJ titleholders; Preteen-Cassidy Diamond, Junior-Bryanna Schucker, Senior-Olivia Suarez, Miss-Brittany Shukdinas & Preteen Sweetheart-Ma’Sonia McPherson. They exemplify all that is right with today’s youth! They’re driven, dedicated, and determined to succeed not only in the classroom...but outside of it as well.

They haven’t let the fact that they will crown their successors in a few short months; get in the way of continuing to serve as volunteers in their community. Throughout the year they have enriched many lives, the photos below will give you a glimpse into just why they were chosen to represent the NJ this past year. They are also reminders that you don’t need to be involved with a national organization to do great things...you can do them right in your own back yard!  These exceptional young women serve as daily reminders to me as exactly why it is that I continue to serve as the state director! They’re beyond inspiring!

CASSIDY founded an organization called Charity Chicks; this group of young girls have been getting together once a month in the Ocean City Library to make cards for the troops in the military, bake cookies for the homeless shelter, and make sandwiches for the homeless. Cassidy also participated in the Ensign John Elliott Hero Walk on the Ocean City Boardwalk. The event attracted over 800 participants and raised $100,000 to support the Nations Fastest Growing Drunk Driving Prevention Program.

BRYANNA- In November Bryanna sponsored a book drive through the Stories For Strength Organization which she founded. She collected and delivered over 100 books to the library for the kids at the Harlem Boys & Girls Club. This Christmas found Bryanna and her friends at their annual Christmas Party making candy canes for the kids.

Add caption

OLIVIA’S dedication to numerous volunteer organizations speaks volumes about her desire to help those in her community. For the second year in a row, Olivia has collected donations to sponsor wreaths for the annual Gloucester Co. Wreaths of Remembrance Ceremony. She has sponsored drives to collect new and gently used coats as part of  Burlington’s Feel The Warmth Coat Drive. Olivia is also involved with the Glasses for Sight collection drive through the local Lions Club, and sponsors an annual drive to collect flip-flops for soldiers serving in the military. (Scroll to the end of the post for a wonderful heartfelt note from Olivia)

BRITTANY-The Salvation Army Holiday Event in Trenton, NJ where again this year Brittany helped fill the Christmas wish-lists of children and families in need. These lists compiled by the Salvation Army helped make Christmas memorable for over 1200 families in 2011 in Mercer County NJ alone.

Guardians of Freedom is an organization near and dear to Brittanys heart. She founded the organization through a desire to help improve the lives of our men and women serving overseas and also as a way of saying thank you for the dedication and sacrifices they have made. From Bagram to Bahrain "Guardians of Freedom" shipped boxes of love from home to our men and women serving overseas.

MA’SONIA - sponsored a Toy drive for the Kids at the Harlem Boys& Girls Club. Toys and gift cards were collected and personally delivered to the kids during their annual Christmas party. Soni spent the day with the kids and helped distribute gifts.

Olivia Suarez

As the new year approaches and I reflect on 2011, it really was another year of giving!  With our without my crown, I am a continuous volunteer and support many causes and organizations. 

One of my favorite and most moving events is the Wreaths of Remembrance.  I collect donations and help lay over 1,100 wreaths on each veteran’s gravesite each year.  I thank and pray for each veteran for their personal sacrifice to keep our country free.  A few hours in the chilly winter morning is the least I could do for what they have given to all of us.

Gently used or new hats, gloves and scarves were collected for the Angels of God Clothing Closet and coat donations for One Warm Coat organization.  These collections are still continuing.

I was unable to travel to New York for Christmas to visit with the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem, but I did send some toy donations and was assured each child received a special gift for the holiday.

Another personal challenge was to fill a huge basket of Thanksgiving food for a family of 6.  With the generous donations of many I was able to provide an overflowing basket along with two turkeys!  What a feast this family could enjoy!

The first ever Gloucester County Spirit of Community awards dinner was a special night.  I am now a four time recipient of the Presidential Gold Volunteer Service award which gives recognition to those who provide hours of community service to others in need.

A collection I started which has become an annual collection is Shower Shoes for Soldiers.  Over 300 flip flops have been sent through the Military Support Group of South Jersey to troops overseas.

In between my homecoming, senior portraits, senior Snow Ball, applying for colleges and all the fun, crazy things senior year has to offer, along with family gatherings, I was able to get into the Christmas spirit riding down Main Street in the annual Pitman and Westville Christmas Parades.  Afterwards, there were photos with Santa and his sleigh and I helped to “flick the switch” to light the town tree and take a horse drawn carriage ride with a few other “crown heads” as other pageant queens are affectionately called, and warmed up with some yummy hot chocolate!

As a former Miss Mantua 2006, I attended the Miss Mantua Pageant in my hometown to see who would be crowned the new Miss Mantua.  I enjoy returning every year to support this local pageant.  This pageant was basically my introduction to pageantry and all the opportunities, scholarships, and services young, accomplished girls can achieve.

As the Christmas season ends and a new year begins, my reign as New Jersey National Teenager will soon come to a close.  I will be making many more appearances and providing services to those in need before I say my final farewell; so until next time, have a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Olivia Suarez

NJ National Teenager 2011

WHAT AN AMAZING TIME IN NYC!!

The NYC trip was a smashing success on all levels;  once again the weather was picture perfect from start to finish (thanks Jenny for arranging that) At the Today show the girls got to meet the Show hosts, got face time on “National Television” and the unexpected meeting of film star Adam Sandler!  Did the girls look fantastic in their ANTSO scarves or what!!  J

How wonderful that the city of New York arranged to have the national Christmas tree arrive during our visit. It’s quite a sight to see it travel the streets of New York on a huge flatbed truck and a short time later see it standing tall and magnificent in Rockefeller Plaza. 

What an honor to have been a part of the Veterans Day Parade; we were the ONLY pageant system that was selected to participate in the parade, this is due to the fact we are a national service organization, and were there not for recognition for ourselves but to honor the men and women who have made sacrifices so that we can enjoy all the things in life we do. While the parade was long, I was incredibly proud of our girls giving of their time in the city to salute our nations heroes!  Hugs to all for being a part of this special event!  Then we were off to an open call at Seventeen Magazine that Jenny had arranged...how exciting was that! Here’s hoping all of you get a call back.

What can I say about our visit to the Boys & Girls Club in Harlem, it is one of the most touching and rewarding events I have ever been a part of.  From the moment we step in the door and are welcomed by a rousing cheer from the kids, till it’s time to say good-bye, there is no way to describe the love and bonding that is shared between our girls and the kids.  It’s one of those times when they step out of their role as state and national queens and step into a role of reaching out to kids whose life styles are very different from theirs in so many ways.  The smiles on the kids faces and the tears in their eyes when it’s time for us to leave...says it all!

The Rockettes Christmas Show at radio Show Music Hall was AMAZING, the dancers, the costumes, the story line, the live animals, our special 3-D glasses which took us on an trip through the streets of NYC in Santa’s sleigh....I can’t think of a better way to put everyone in the Christmas Spirit!

In between all of this the girls enjoyed the magic of New York City with lots of shopping, riding the subway, taking a ferry past the Statue of Liberty, skating at Rockefeller Plaza, buggy rides through Central Park, Times Square, it was a whirlwind three days that left everyone not wanting it to end!

I personally feel we are a lucky group to be part of an organization that cares about their titleholders not just when they are crowned but also during their year of reign. Props, kudos and big hugs to Jenny for arranging this amazing trip...it has filled our hearts and scrapbooks with wonderful memories!