New Mid Atlantic Queens crowned

On Saturday, August 13th the Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey High School & Collegiate America organization crowned eight new 2012 queens.  The pageant system, which is the official state preliminaries to the national Miss High School America & Miss Collegiate pageants, also held a fundraiser to benefit the national organization’s charity of choice - “Operation Smile”.   Six of the winners crowned at the state level will go on to compete in the national pageants in March 2012 in San Antonio, Texas, the junior high titleholders will reign within their respective state only. 

 Jordyn Goddard, Miss Maryland Collegiate America 2012

The new queens are:  Miss Delaware Junior High America – Bianca Moore (Miss DuPont Middle School), Miss Delaware High School America – Kaitlin Reppella (Miss William Penn High School), Miss Maryland Collegiate America – Jordyn Goddard (Miss College Park), Miss New Jersey High School America – Alexandra Marschall, Miss New Jersey Collegiate America - Rebecca Furman (Miss Oak Ridge), Miss Pennsylvania Junior High America – Chandler Swift (Miss South Brandywine Middle School), Miss Pennsylvania High School America – Camille Schrier (Miss Newton), and Miss Pennsylvania Collegiate America – Amber Smith (Miss St. Francis University).  

 Alexandra Marschall, Miss New Jersey High School  America 2012, (l)

Kaitlin Reppella, Miss Delaware High School America 2012 (c)

Chelsea Spruance, Miss Delaware High School America 2011 (r)

Tracey Jamison, director of the state pageants says “I am quite pleased with the young ladies the judges chose to represent these states in March.  Throughout the weekend, the young ladies exhibited poise, charm and intelligence – everything this pageant system stands for.  I truly believe each of them had a chance to win the national title and the $10,000 scholarship prize.” 

 Chandler Swift, Miss Delaware Jr. High America 2012, Tracey Jamison - Director, 

Amber Smith, Miss Pennsylvania Collegiate 2012 & Camille Schrier, Miss Pennsylvania America 2012

In addition to the opportunity to represent the state, winners will also receive a scholarship of up to $1000. Throughout the weekend’s competition, the delegates were scored in three categories - an individual interview with judges comprises 40% of the score, with the Evening Gown (40%) and fun fashion portions (20%) as the remaining categories scored to determine the winner.

What a "difference" a Crown Makes

I was doing my weekly review of pageant news and came across this wonderful highlight, in Turn for the Judges, about an organization that is making a positive difference in the lives of children through pageantry

The Miss Next Level Youth Pageant was created to allow the opportunity to participate in pageantry for some young ladies who might otherwise not be able to do to finances.  This wonderful pageant will take place at Grace Norton Rogers School in East Windsor, New Jersey on Saturday, June 4, 2011. 


Contestants between the ages of 8 and 18 will have the opportunity to compete for the title in areas of creative wear, interview and evening gown. Many gowns are being donated by Caitlin's Closet as well as queens from the State of New Jersey.  Entry fee is only $100.00 and the first 10 contestants to sign up will receive sponsorship.

Evelyn McCleod of East Windsor, and the reigning America's Mrs. 2010 and former Mrs. New Jersey United States 2008, is the director of the pageant.  She believes "Pageantry is an important aspect of preparing our children to achieve full potential as they learn valuble interview skills, how to carry themselves and good grooming habits."

So far the pageant prize package includes: Free entry into the New Jersey American Coed Pageant, a  Gift Certificate to Red Carpet Prom, a subscription to "Pageantry Magazine", a participation trophy, Hemingway Jewelry.

From it's website - "Next Level Youth, a New Jersey non-profit corporation, was founded in 2006 upon the principles of youth education and development. We are a dedicated and concerned group of parents and professionals, who have collectively taken responsibility to guarantee that our childrens' futures are full of promise and opportunity. In addition to working with the children, we reach out to include family, friends and concerned community members in this growth process as it is within the scope of our objectives to develop a nurturing environment for all to learn and grow."

To make a donation to the Miss Next Level Youth Pageant or to donate wardrobe items, please contact Eugene Lambert, NYL Founder, for further information.