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As we continue our “Road to Miss New Jersey” series, our next contestant is Miss Salem County, Brenda Zeck.

Please tell us why you chose to compete for your local county’s title?
Having grown up in Salem County, there couldn’t be a more appropriate title to compete for. I saw this as an amazing opportunity to serve and to get connected to a community that has already given so much. Besides wanting to represent the place that had such strong roots in building me, competing for my local title would allow me to further my education with scholarships. A free year at my local community college would make my dreams of becoming a future nurse possible. My local title would not only allow me to further my involvement with my county, but join a sisterhood of outstanding young women. The Miss America Organization was a way to utilize my talent, passion, and love of people. I am so thankful that I did take that first leap of faith to pursue my local title.

What do you plan to accomplish if you win Miss New Jersey 2016?
Besides having a year filled with unforgettable memories, amazing opportunities, and loads of fun, it would no doubt have a lasting impact on my life. I plan to make an impact on the lives of those whom I would be serving as Miss New Jersey. I plan to be an example to young girls and women alike in the way that I live out my life. Essentially, I hope to be an inspiration to many, always being sensitive to the variety of needs people have, and I hope to continue to spread awareness of human trafficking and speak for those without a voice.

Share about your platform and why you chose it.
I’ll never forget the personal testimony of a girl, not much older than I, who told of the horrors of an epidemic known as modern slavery. She was a girl just like I was, with a family, similar dreams, and ambitions for the future; the only difference was, her freedom was wrongly taken from her. “Silence is the enemy, our voice can break it” is an anti human trafficking platform aimed to speak out against modern day slavery and speak up for those who fall victim to the vicious cycle. Human trafficking is the use of force, deception and coerción to exploit people; often times sexually or for labor purposes, in order to gain profit. Modern day slavery comes in many forms and encompasses not only women, but children and men as well. Surprisingly, this injustice most likely is happening in our very own backyard. There are ways to stop this social injustice, but we are called to take the first step, acknowledging the threat and raising awareness among the public.

“Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your own words, tell us what makes you ‘bravura’!
When asked the question what makes me “bravura”, I began to think about some of the many things that I have used to “define” who I am. Daughter, friend, sister, travel enthusiast, book lover, and other accomplishments came to my mind. However, these titles don’t define who I am as a person, or necessarily make me exceptional, they are only extra circumstances. It’s our personal life experiences that make each one of us unique. No one person has the same story, and that’s the beauty of life. It’s my quirks, my memories, my adventures, my experiences, and my relationship with Jesus Christ, and my life, that make me who I am; exceptional. It was once said, “Bloom where you are planted,” and this ability to be who you are wherever you are is truly Bravura!

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To purchase tickets for the upcoming Miss New Jersey pageant, please visit THIS LINK.