Garden State Crowns Its ‘Miss,’ Next Stop Miss America Pageant

OCEAN CITY – Rising from the ashes of the great Ocean City boardwalk fire of 1927, the original Ocean City Music Pier, with its worn oaken stage and rich blue curtain with gold trim tassels, hosted the 2014 Miss New Jersey scholarship pageant finals for the 18th time June 14.
Miss Coastal Shore Cierra Kaler-Jones, 21, from Galloway Township earned the right to represent New Jersey in the Miss America pageant after having competed three prior times to achieve that honor. “Empowering Today’s Youth Through the Arts” was the platform that Kaler-Jones communicated through both words and her dance performance. This plus her interview skills impressed the judges in a field of remarkable young women from all over the state.
Miss America Nina Davuluri attended the event and participated in the evening’s festivities.
Locally, the third runner-up and strong contender was Devon Vanderslice, the current Miss Eastern Shore. Vanderslice is a graduate of Ocean City High School and attends West Chester State University. She was also awarded “Miss Congeniality” and “Overall Parade Winner.”
Miss Cape May County, Sarah Ford, competed with a strong performance in the preliminaries but was not selected in the top ten. Ford presented her platform of “Smiles Save,” and performed a dance in earlier competitions.
Other finalists included first runner-up, Miss Seashore Line, Brenna Weick. Second runner-up went to Miss Southern Counties Sandra Okuboyejo. The fourth-runner up was Miss Columbus Day Lindsey Giannini.
People’s Choice Award went to Miss Ramapo Valley Alyssa Clements. New Jersey Photogenic went to Miss Cumberland County Kellie Santoro.
The “Interview” award was shared by Miss Cape Shores Olivia Michael, Miss New Jersey 2014 Cierra Kaler-Jones, and Miss Southern Counties Sandra Okuboyejo.
Miss America presented the national pageant’s awards to eventual Miss New Jersey Cierra Kaler-Jones for Community Service and the Academic Award went to Miss Stars and Stripes Amy Kao.
Hosted by Dena Blizzard of “One Funny Mother” fame and former Miss New Jersey 1995, with Miss New Jersey 2004 Erica Scanlon Harr, the show moved from dance numbers to a fitness and health competition, to evening wear, interspersed with comedy from the hosts.
One particular crowd favorite spot featured Blizzard’s attempt to compare herself to Miss America through a series of side-by-side photos. “You and I are twins,” Dena announced to current Miss America Nina Davuluri, while playing on their obvious dissimilar appearance. Her mimicry of Miss America photos featured Blizzard posing in side by side photos with Miss America, in similar garb, but with comedic results such as the real Miss America hugging a fellow contestant, with Dena’s version of hugging “Jersey style,” by strangling the fellow contestant.
At the end of a long night of competition, it was apparent that this group of 24 beautiful, talented and intelligent young women was united in a special sisterhood despite the competitive nature of the event. They all did their respective communities proud throughout the evening’s stressful program.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.