Cianna Winkler, age 11, the daughter of Beverly and Wayne Winkler, was crowned National American Miss New Jersey Pre-Teen Cover Girl at the state pageant held August 21 at the Hilton Hotel & Conference Center in East Brunswick.
One hundred forty-two girls ages 10 to 12 from across the state competed in the pageant. She received her official state crown, banner and trophy, and a special invitation to compete at the National Pageant held during Thanksgiving Week in Anaheim, Calif. At the state pageant Cianna was also named the Top Model winner, Art Contest Winner and was 1st Place in Talent, Spirit of America and Portfolio Awards. She was also named a NJ State Ambassador. Cianna chose to enter the state pageant this summer to increase her confidence speaking in front of an audience.
The National American Miss Pageants are dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging future leaders. Each year, the National American Miss Pageants awards $1.5 million in cash, scholarships and prizes to recognize and assist the development of young women nationwide. This pageant requires that all girls under 12 not wear make-up in the pageant, and that the girls present themselves on stage with an introduction. Cianna’s speech was entitled “Kids Can Make a Big Difference.” The pageant program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise, presentation.
Cianna’s activities include dancing competitively at For Dancers Only in Little Falls, Verona Eagles Cheerleading, Girl Scout Troop 121, H. B. Whitehorne Voices chorus, and First Presbyterian Church of Verona Youth Fellowship. Cianna also attended the Joffrey Ballet School Intensive in New York City for the second year in a row this summer. Her sponsors for the state pageant were family and friends, the New Jersey Jackals, Camp Horizons in Livingston and several Verona businesses including Cirasellas, Twin Method Cleaners, BProut Funeral Home, William Fried, Jr. Attorney, James…Just James, LLC, Verona Glass & Mirror, and Nicholas Timpanaro – Fortune Title Agency. Other sponsoring businesses in the surrounding area included For Dancers Only, Dr. Christopher Jones, DDS, Veterinary Medical Center of Caldwell, Konner Chevrolet, Camp Horizons and the New Jersey Jackals. Neighbors also sponsored Cianna.
Cianna is actively seeking sponsors for the national pageant. Please contact the Winkler family by e-mail if you or your business is interested in being a sponsor.
