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As we continue our “Road to Miss New Jersey” series, our next contestant is Miss Cumberland County, Olivia Cruz.

Please tell us why you chose to compete for your local county’s title?
I held a few local titles that were not connected to the Miss America Organization prior to competing for Miss Cumberland County. I really enjoyed my experiences as a title-holder and public figure. I also learned more and more about the MAO through those years. It was during that time when I started my nonprofit project, Love through Laces and saw the MAO as a great opportunity to expand it as my personal platform. Finally, after settling into college, I decided to have a go at becoming a part of this organization and was fortunate to win the first pageant I entered. I am so happy I decided to compete and am now surrounded by many inspiring young women motivated to improving themselves along with their communities. I have also found how much I missed being a representative of my home and plan to achieve as much this year as possible.

What do you plan to accomplish if you were to win the title of Miss NJ 2016?
I would have many goals as the new Miss New Jersey 2016; however, if I could choose one I feel to be most important, it would be spreading the importance of community service among our NJ citizens. I believe community service should be a part of one’s lifestyle. This personally affected me when starting my project, Love through Laces. After seeing this project succeed in its goal to purchase new shoes for homeless children, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. My platform would also greatly compliment the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals because they both share the goal of helping children in need. Making community service a priority has made me more productive and important to my community and I would love to share that feeling with many others as Miss New Jersey. If everyone, especially our youth can make community service a priority today, tomorrow will look a lot brighter.

Share with our readers a bit more about you platform and why you picked
this particular one.
I was inspired to begin my platform three years ago when working with an organization which houses homeless families in Cumberland County. My county has one of the highest poverty rates in New Jersey. While speaking with the director, she mentioned the families have access to clothing closets; however, the donated shoes are often worn down and not the proper size for the children’s feet. I’m sure we can all relate to the amazing feeling of buying a new pair of shoes. I know I can, which is why I took the opportunity to give back in this way. My platform, Love through Laces, raises awareness as well as funds to purchase new shoes for local homeless children or children in need. My favorite part about this project is our shopping spree, when we take the children to the shoe store where they can be properly sized and are free to pick out whichever pair of comfortable shoes they love and can wear proudly. I would be very excited to continue this project on a state level, because every child deserves a new pair of shoes.

“Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your own words, tell us what makes you ‘bravura’!
Being “Bravura” doesn’t always happen on an incredibly large scale. I feel one should aim to be exceptional through everyday actions, which is how I feel I am “Bravura”. I do my best to put my all into every goal, job, or opportunity, large or small, because I know it makes a difference. We can see examples of this daily. For instance, my dad is an elementary school custodian. He may not be the principle, but he is a dedicated worker who gives the students a safe and clean learning environment. Not to mention, I’ve seen first hand how his funny personality brings many smiles to the children’s faces. This is “Bravura”. I follow his example through my platform. I may not be able to purchase shoes for each of New Jersey’s children in need (yet), but I make sure those deserving shoppers I do help receive my best efforts towards a productive and fun shopping spree.

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