The Road to Miss New Jersey is an exciting one; as we’ve seen with our reigning Miss New Jersey, Brenna Weick, the opportunities are endless for the one woman who obtains the opportunity to represent our state, and moreover, get the chance to partake in the Miss America pageant this September. From working with your sisters to meet and exceed your goal for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, to out-of-the-box photoshoots with couture designers, being celebrity guests at fashion events...there’s so much more than what meets the eye when you are crowned Miss New Jersey 2017!

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Today we begin our series, The Road to Miss New Jersey 2017, where you will get a chance to meet all of the beautifully talented ladies who are vying for the crown this June! Our first contestant in this series is Madison Kennelly, Miss Cape May Area.

Please share with our readers your title & platform.
Miss Cape May Area; Lend A Paw! The Power of Pet Therapy

How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
Since I was three years old I have competed in pageants, over the years I have gained a level of self-confidence while speaking in front of others that is immeasurable.

In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
At the age of eleven, I suffered from depression and anxiety as a result of being bullied and ridiculed for being overweight.  That is when I learned about the Power of Pet Therapy.

Peanut is a beautiful, kind and loving puppy. When she was brought into my life, I looked forward to seeing her every day. She changed me into the positive, self-confident woman that I am today.  My family and I realized that if Peanut had the power to help me, then she could help many others as a pet therapy dog.  Peanut attended over twenty weeks of training and passed her test as an AKC canine good citizen. She became one of the youngest of the “Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs.”  I then created an organization called “Princess and a Peanut,” (now my platform – Lend a Paw! The Power of Pet Therapy) and we began by visiting libraries, rehabilitation centers, hospitals and geriatric homes.  It is truly amazing that it has been over five years now and the program has expanded to include ARC camps, Gilda’s House, neurological facilities, hospice patients, CMN hospitals and schools.  When visiting schools, Peanut and I visit with the students and discuss ways they too can find the thing they love and turn it into a great way of volunteering in the community. Pet Therapy has been an incredible journey for us and we look forward to bringing smiles and improving the quality of life for everyone who meets Peanut.

How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
I have experienced and witnessed the Power of Pet Therapy first hand.  My life has been forever changed for the better through having Peanut as a loving companion. I have seen the impact she has made on the lives of children learning how to read, rehabilitation patients, senior citizens, Children’s Miracle Network Long Term Care patients,  especially those suffering from terminal illnesses and hopefully now, on you.

What have you learned from your current Miss New Jersey, Brenna Weick, which you hope to carry with you if you were to win the title of Miss New Jersey?
Brenna has taught me there are more than 24 hours in a day…lol!  Brenna is so amazing at taking every moment of her year and filling it with amazing school visits, fundraisers and appearances all over the state (and a few other states as well).  She not only promotes her platform and CMNH, she is also promoting and finding new ways to promote local titleholders and the Miss New Jersey Education Foundation.  If I were to follow in Miss New Jersey Brenna Wieck’s footsteps I need to have my running shoes ready to keep up…not just figuratively she literally did a marathon this year too.  Brenna has instilled in me that as a Miss New Jersey enjoy every moment and live each moment to the fullest.

As a title-holder, what is one of the single-most important messages, which you think you convey to your followers?
I try to live by the words of David Stoddard, “Getting the most out of life isn’t about how much you keep for yourself, but how much you pour into others.”  Without a doubt, volunteering throughout our community has given me leadership, hope and love for a lifetime.

If you were to win the title of Miss New Jersey, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
When we make volunteering a normal part of our lives, we don’t simply teach our children strong core values, we demonstrate these values in action.  As Miss NJ, I want to speak to as many children and empower our youth to find the type of volunteering that is pure fun to them, and make it a part of their daily activities. For me pet therapy is fun, and exciting. Each and every visit is a new beginning into making someone else happy.   What I learned is the happiness of others is contagious and it makes me the happy young woman I am today.

Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited New Jersey; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
First off, New Jersey is immensely diverse. Every part of the state is completely different and has something different to offer. Secondly, I would talk about how New Jersey is the diner capital of the world! We do have some delicious food… lol. Lastly, I would touch on how New Jersey is known for their Jersey Tomatoes and Blueberries. You have to try some!

If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?
Flag – We believe in the American Dream and that everyone has a right to have their voices heard.
Diploma – Women of today are highly educated and beautifully articulated.
Heels – While we march in boots, we stay classy in our heels.

Because of media, many people tend to look at pageant with a very scrutinizing option; For you. personally, what have been some of the biggest benefits of being a part of the Miss America Organization. And how would you share the positive nature of pageants with others who may not be familiar?
Not only have I gained self-confidence, every time I speak in front of a crowd I know I have the ability to be articulate and intelligent. I strongly believe in the Miss America Organization because it is the largest women’s Scholarship Organization, and the scholarships I have received help my education expenses and my future. The most important thing I stress to others is that pageants have made me a better, smarter and healthier human being all around.

“Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
Giving and loving to give to others makes me …bravura.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
@maddimayk on Instagram, @maddi_kennelly on Twitter, and Madison Leigh Kennelly on Facebook

What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
Be yourself and always practice in your heels before the pageant.

What words of thanks do you have for those who have helped to bring you to where you are today in the Miss New Jersey Class of 2017?
I am so thankful to the Cape May Organization and Bonnie Blue Foundation for all the love and support they have shown me, The Miss New Jersey Organization and Miss America Organization for giving me the opportunity to grow into the woman I am today, and for giving me the opportunity to expand my platform to all that needs The Power of Pet Therapy!   I would also like to thank every director, hostess, executive board member, sponsor and volunteer…who help every girl no matter your title…Everyone has made my Outstanding Teen and Miss years the best they could be and for that I am forever grateful.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thank you for this amazing opportunity to reach out to your audience with each one of the local title holders platforms.  This is an amazing experience…that’s what makes you “Bravura”.

To learn more about the Miss New Jersey pageant and support the Miss New Jersey Education Foundation, please click here. To learn more about the Miss New Jersey golf outing, please click here.