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Miss New Jersey Outstanding Teen's Blog

November-December Blog

Hello Everyone,

As I sit here writing this last blog I recall many memories of my year as Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen. In November my journey took me to The Liberty Restaurant in Jersey City at Liberty State Park for their annual fundraiser for the school children of Jersey City. This is a beautiful venue with sweeping views of the New York skyline. I attended their Christmas tree decorating contest as a celebrity judge. It was a tough job to decide the best school-decorated Christmas tree, as they were all so beautiful. I had the privilege of singing Christmas carols to the children in attendance and met some great kids and other celebrity judges. Constantine Maroulis from American Idol fame judged with me, so that made the task much easier.

Two days later I was on a float with other local titleholders in the Dunkin Doughnuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia.  This was very exciting because it was the largest parade I had ever been in.  It seemed like it was miles long and was televised on ABC!
Smaller but just as fun was the annual Millville Christmas parade in Millville held at the end of November. Local people lined the entire parade route to see the floats and cars go by and to catch a glimpse of their very own Miss Holly City and resident Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

Another highlight of the month was the send off party for Katharyn Nicolle our Miss New Jersey. It was a beautiful and festive party as many well-wishers were there to celebrate her going to compete for the ultimate prize of Miss America in Las Vegas.   We wish the very best of love and luck as she goes and we hope and believe that she’ll have the time of her life! My family and I will be there in Vegas to cheer her on as she and her family was there for me at my national pageant.  I will be singing the National Anthem on Wednesday night of prelims and I look forward to this as the most amazing opportunity I have been given to date. The perks of being NJOT are so fantastic and they have truly exceeded my expectations!

This is my last blog as Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen because in less than a month a new NJOT will be crowned. I can honestly say that I have been wonderfully blessed these past 11 months with the honor of representing our state of New Jersey. I have met amazing people, performed on stages all over the county, fundraised for great causes and made memories that I will carry with me for a lifetime. I want to thank all of you that have supported me in this endeavor and I hope to be part of the Miss America program for a long time.

For the last time and with best regards,

Natalie Ragazzo NJOT 2011


Quote: Believe you can and you’re half way there.        Theodore Roosevelt

 

September/October Blog

Hi Everyone!

Months are passing quickly and I can’t believe that I am already finished the first part of my sophomore year in high school. I am enjoying my year, as I continue to meet new people and happily represent my state as Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen. September was a bit slower but after the crazy pace of August that was fine with me. I enjoyed singing the National Anthem and crowning Jennie Kerbeck, Sandra Oknboyejo and Amanda Ross as new Outstanding Teen local winners at the Shore Triple Crown teen pageant in September. There were a large number of contestants so the judges really had their work cut out for them. Good luck to all of you in January!

My next celebrity event was judging the Miss Holly City pageant in Millville. This annual event is very popular and practically all of Millville High School was in attendance to see their new queen crowned.
I had the pleasure of seeing Venessa Baez and Lindsey Petrosh crowned at the Miss Columbus Day/Atlantic County pageant in Ventnor on Columbus Day weekend. This is another well-attended pageant with a rich history.
 
My very favorite event so far this fall has been attending the annual gala fundraiser for The Children’s Specialized Hospital at the Patriots Theater War memorial in Trenton. The event’s theme was “Oh What a Night” and featured a performance by the Midtown Men who are the original Broadway cast of The Jersey Boys. These singers were fantastic and after the concert I had the honor of meeting them.  The food served that evening included Ocean City boardwalk funnel cake, salt water taffy, Trenton style pizza, crab cakes,” Jersey Diner” hot roast turkey platter and about 25 other traditional “Jerseylicious” foods. Even though we braved six inches of freak October snow to get there, meeting some of the special children that are helped by Children’s Specialized Hospital made the evening one of the best memories yet of being your Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen.  Check out my pictures that are posted along with this blog for more of my great memories.

Yours truly,

Natalie Ragazzo
NJOT 11


Quote: Most of us have far more courage than we ever dreamed we possess. 

 

 

July/August Blog

Wow! My summer has been wonderful and crazy!  It was full of fun and exciting memories!

July was great.  Other than preparing for Orlando to compete in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant, I attended many events that I will remember for ever.  My first event was the 4th of July parade in Philadelphia.   I rode on a beautiful float with Miss Pennsylvania, Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen and Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen. The people of Philadelphia were very friendly and welcoming and cheered for us all along the route. The parade was long and my feet were killing me but I wouldn’t change a thing. My next event was having the distinct honor of judging the 2011-2012 Mr. Delaware pageant with Miss Delaware, Miss Pennsylvania, and our NJ Sweetheart Katie Berry. Mr. Delaware invited me to sing at his pageant and I was very honored. It was probably the funniest event I have been to so far this year.  I was then asked to sing the National Anthem at the NJ raceway in Millville.  It was super cool to get pictures with the drivers and sit in some of the cars and watch the race.  It’s scary to know that I will be driving in less than 4 months, though of course not as fast as the cars on the raceway!  The most exciting part of that day was getting to meet and talk with Patrick Dempsey (Dr. Mc Dreamy) from the hit TV show Grey’s Anatomy. He is a huge race fan and participates in races all over the country.

On July 17, I was blessed with an amazing send-off party thrown for me by my fabulous “Shore” family.  I had so much fun dancing and laughing with all of the people that have gotten me to where I am today.  Not to mention the delicious food, generous gifts and the mini red velvet cake that was all mine.  At the end of July I emceed, performed, and crowned the new girls at the “Miss Seashore Line, Miss Coastal Shores, and Miss Cape Shores Outstanding Teen” pageant.  I’m sure they will all do a terrific job.  I then attended a lovely lunch with all the previous New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen’s and their mothers.  It was the perfect time to ask questions about Orlando and to just relax and have some one on one time with the previous winners.  My last event before I left for Nationals was the “Miss Seashore Line, Miss Coastal Shores, and Miss Cape Shores Princess” pageant.  It was a crazy day with all the little girls under age 12 running around.  They were all so cute and talented.  I’m glad I don’t have to compete against them.

It was soon time to leave for the trip that was going to be the most exciting experience ever!  Packing for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen was RIDICULOUS and took over a week to complete!  I had so much stuff! We even ended up shipping some of it to Florida. I can’t go into every detail of my 10 days in Orlando because it would take way too long, but what I can is that it was the most wonderful experience of my life.  I can’t explain how much fun I had with all of the girls.  I miss them all so much, especially my roommate Julia, Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen, because she is now one of my best friends.  To have the opportunity to perform on the Linda Chapin Theatre stage representing New Jersey was the greatest feeling!  Making top 10 was a close second!  I cannot be more thrilled that Miss Florida’s OT won for she was one of my closest friends.  I know she will represent our country in an amazing way and truly live the four points of her crown.  Although coming home was bitter sweet, I am excited to start my sophomore year at school and continue to represent my state.

Love always, 

Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen 2011, Natalie Ragazzo

Quote of the month:
“Don’t judge a book by its cover, because if you do you might miss out on an amazing story”

 

 

May/June Blog

Wow! What a crazy couple of months!  Between finishing 9th grade and having a great week at miss New Jersey, May and June have been very exciting.  Thankfully in May I didn’t have too many pageant events so I was able to focus on school and my final exams.  During May I did have the Shirley Mae Run and Walk for breast cancer patients in Atlantic City.  I got the amazing opportunity to sing the national anthem on the boardwalk before the race started.  There were hundreds of people in attendance and it was great fun walking in the race with the Miss New Jersey team.  The next morning I went to a Mother-Daughter service with my shore pageant sisters at the Almonesson United Methodist Church in celebration of Mother’s day.  We all enjoyed being together to celebrate our awesome Mothers.
 
June has definitely been the most chaotic month so far of my reign.  I finished my freshman year of high school on June 9 and the same day headed for Missouri to perform at the Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen pageant.  Lets just say the trip had its share of mishaps.  Our flight was cancelled and we were forced to stay overnight at the airport in Philadelphia. When we finally got to Missouri the next day, we realized we had forgotten my crown box on the plane! Thankfully, because of some very nice airline personnel we got it back, safe and sound. At the pageant the contestants were all very friendly and the girl who won is a great dancer.  The next week was the one we had all been waiting for, Miss New Jersey week in Ocean City!  This week was definitely my favorite so far.  We started it off with the first annual Miss New Jersey golf outing.  My mom and I golfed 18 holes and she even let me drive the golf cart.
 
The next day the girls checked in to their hotel and soon after rehearsals began.  The girls rehearsed productions over and over again Monday and Tuesday.  Wednesday was parade day!  I got to ride on a float with some of the little stars.  It was wonderful seeing all the people that came out to cheer on the contestants.  Thursday was the first night of preliminaries and I had the privileged to sing the national anthem and perform the talent I will be performing at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen in August.  Friday was the next day of prelims and Saturday was the final night.  Being back stage right before they announced the new Miss NJ was the most stressful thing ever, even though I wasn’t even competiting. When they announced Kathryn Nicole as Miss New Jersey 2011 I was thrilled.  I know Kathryn and I are going to have a great year together!
 
The day after Miss New Jersey I headed to Staten Island, New York for the Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen pageant.  I once again had the opportunity to perform my talent during the entertainment portion of the show.  I enjoyed meeting the newly crowned Miss New York and the Outstanding Teen contestants.  The girl who won NYOT was an awesome point dancer and a beautiful girl! I can’t wait to see her and all the other MAOT contestants in Orlando.  I also am eager to continue my amazing year.  July is going to be a busy month.  I plan on finishing up my preparation for nationals while some local competitions will be starting!  I will let you know next month about my July events.

Your Friend and Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen,

Natalie Ragazzo

 

Quote of the Month:
“One who wants to be happy finds Happiness in every thing”.
Author Unknown


April Blog

Hello Everyone,

It’s hard to believe that April is gone and May is moving along even faster! April was filled with some very enjoyable appearances and opportunities. I had the privilege of working with Miss Mercer County Carmen Bloom and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mercer County at their annual bowling fundraiser. This was a lot of fun and was well attended by many of the Miss New Jersey local titleholders.  Although no one bowled a score above 40 we all came out to support a great cause and make some awesome memories together.

My next event was being a judge for the 1st annual “Dancing with the Staff” at Millville High School. This event was put together by my director Joan Cooper as a fundraiser to benefit the senior class at Millville High. The auditorium was full to capacity and the air was charged with electricity, as couples chosen from the teaching staff and senior student body teamed up to strut their dancing stuff to the howls and cheers of the students. While they were all terrific the winning couple danced their way to first place with an outstanding ballroom dance; all had a great time!

The last event of the month was the long awaited Miss New Jersey orientation meeting. Every Miss contestant was in attendance to finalize the details of the upcoming competition in June. Girls got their competition numbers and had their talents timed. It was great to all be together again under one roof and to be looking forward to Miss New Jersey Week in Ocean City! Every one of my pageant big sisters would make a wonderful Miss New Jersey, but only one will wear the crown. I wonder who it will be??


Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen

Natalie Ragazzo

Quote of the month:

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.
-Anatole France

 

March Blog

Hi Everyone!

March was the busiest month yet in my reign as NJOT! March 1st was International Pancake Day at all the IHOPs in the nation.  This was a terrific fundraiser for The Children’s Miracle Network. Free pancakes were available to all who came in and donation boxes were filling with contributions to Children’ s Miracle Network Hospitals. I got my first experience flipping pancakes in the kitchen of my local IHOP. Then, of course, eating them.

My next exciting event was the first Outstanding Teen Pageant of the season. This was held in Ocean City and was won by Ms. Amy Phillips. Amy will go on to compete next January 2012 for Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen. Congratulations Amy!

While this month brought the first pageant of the Outstanding Teen season, it also brought the last three pageants of the Miss division before the state finals in June. My personal congratulations to Katie Berry, Katie Revier, Breanne Ray , Michele Goldberg, Ellen Chu and Rachel Kuhar as they prepare to compete for the title of Miss NJ. Good luck girls!

The middle of the month was St Patrick’s Day. Miss New Jersey (Ashleigh Udalovas) and I shared a car as we rode in one of the oldest St Patrick’s Day parades in the country held in Newark, New Jersey. The weather cooperated; and we were able to enjoy a warm promise of spring.

One of my most enjoyable events of the month was being a celebrity judge for The Battle of the High School Bands held at Brick Memorial High School in Brick, NJ. Sixteen talented groups of musicians came to compete in the finals, which were held “American Idol” style in the schools auditorium. The winner of the day was a very talented musician who will appear at the Walk and Roll for Children’s Miracle Network at Johnson Park on May 21st in Piscataway. I was very impressed with the incredible hard work by the students of the Key Club of Brick High School as they showed their commitment to the Children’s Specialized Hospital by holding this fundraiser. Keep up the great work. You are truly an inspiration!

My next duty involved judging and eating again at the Annual Chili Cook Off at the offices of McLane Industries in Carney’s Point, NJ. Employees of McLane cooked up their tastiest chili recipes and bowls were available to purchase for one dollar to all employees. I and five other judges tasted 18 different recipes of chili that morning until we decided on a winner. The winning recipe contained the “secret ingredient” bacon! Of course, as everyone knows, everything tastes better with bacon! Congratulations to McLane Industries in raising over $500 to benefit Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

My final event of the month was again as a judge.  This time it was for the title of South Jersey’s Cutest Canine.  I think this may have been the most difficult event to judge because they were ALL so cute!  The winner is a secret and you will have to wait until next month to find out what special pooch will wear that coveted crown! Until then, I wish you all my best.

Your Friend, 

Natalie Ragazzo NJOT11

Quote of the month.  “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Walt Disney

 

February Blog

Hi Everyone,

I’m so thrilled to finally have made my first official appearance as Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen. I had the pleasure of appearing with my pageant sisters Ashleigh Udalovas, Miss New Jersey, Carmen Bloom Miss Mercer County and Ashlyn Laveson Miss Mercer County’s Outstanding Teen. We spent the evening of February 12 at a beautiful Valentine’s Day Ball in support of “Ryan’s Quest, To Fight Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy”. Ryan’s Quest is the charity partner of the Miss Mercer County Scholarship Foundation and is a great cause. It was wonderful to meet and take pictures with the many guests in attendance. I was especially excited to meet the guest of honor, “The Glam Fairy” from the show Jerseylicous. The evening was a wonderful way to start my year as NJOT.

On February 27th I attended the 2nd Annual Cabaret for a Cure, “Cure Kids Cancer”. This event was hosted by another pageant sister Courtney Charatsaris.  It was held at The Brownstone in Patterson, NJ. This was especially exciting as I was able to sing along side of some very talented theater performers. The afternoon was a great success and raised a lot of money for cancer research.

My next appearance was at IHOP for National Pancake Day on March 1. It was by far the tastiest event yet. But you’ll have to wait and read my March blog for more details.

Don’t forget to check out my pictures of these events on this website.

Your Friend and NJOT,

Natalie Ragazzo

Quote of the month:

“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So…get on your way!

Dr. Seuss (Oh, The Places You’ll Go!)

 

 

Natalie's January Blog

Wow!

What can I say about one of the most exciting moments of my entire life? Awesome, thrilling and wonderful are the words I’ll use to describe the feeling I had on being crowned Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen on January 29th in Millville. When I started competing for this title I was just 13 and still had braces on my teeth! I had no idea then about the amazing people I would meet and the incredible experiences I would have over the next few years. With every parade, pageant and fundraiser, I realized how lucky I am to be part of the Miss America and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen program. I am looking forward to this coming year as I begin my journey of fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network and other important causes that have been adopted by my “Miss” pageant sisters. I am especially eager for the chance to work on my Platform “Natalie’s Notable Kids”, The Power of After School Programs. 

I’d like to thank my Shore family: Carol, Michael, Tony, Grammy, Ann and Trish for their help and encouragement. Many thanks to Joan Cooper, my new director, and all the previous Outstanding Teens, especially Andie for putting together a wonderful pageant. Special thanks to Mike and Trish Dowling of The Red Carpet for donating the opening number dresses that made everyone look so fantastic! And, of course, big thank you to everyone else who believed in me along the way and supported my dreams. Finally, I’d like to thank the girls I competed with on the 29th and throughout the years. You are the reason I so looked forward to returning to Millville; and I love you all so very much.

 

Your Friend and Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen
Natalie Ragazzo

Quote of the month:
You can design and create and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.

Walt Disney


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