So, let's see what happens when Alyssa Sullivan visits Section 36!
How did you celebrate winning the Miss New Jersey crown?
I felt so much gratitude and shock at that moment. I also felt incredibly humbled. It just felt so real and it still feels surreal. Every day over the last few days that I’ve woken up I just have to remind myself that it actually happened and it’s just really exciting and has been the most humbling and rewarding experience in my life.
When the shock wore off I celebrated the moment with a quick bite of a Wawa hoagie (a true Jersey girl at heart.) What happened in the days that followed truly blew me away. I’ve always said that it takes a village to raise a child and my community is the most beautiful testament to that. It was unlike anything I can even put into words to see them rally together within 24 hours of my crowning and put together a parade in my honor. I’ve always been someone who is a big believer that you are a product of your environment. No matter what I’ve done throughout my life Middle Township has always been so supportive and so embracing of me and that has just always meant everything. I couldn’t have thought of a better way to begin my reign as Miss New Jersey than to ride through my town and get to be with all of the people who love me above all else.
You’re a former Miss NJ’s Outstanding teem, do you think that national experience will help you at Miss America?
What part of the Miss America competition are you most nervous about?
When you compete for as long as I have to get to Miss America you go into it knowing that whatever does or doesn't happen there is just icing on top of the cake. Earning the job of Miss New Jersey and competing at Miss America is the dream come true.
With that being said, after learning this, I truly can't feel a bit of worry or nerves for Miss America. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. What more could I ask for?
How did you select your social impact initiative, “Peer Challenge Commit2Character”?
I chose Peer Challenge Commit2Character as a freshman in high school. My motivation to become an advocate for the program came before my involvement in the Miss America Organization. As a student, I felt that it was my duty to show other students that being "cool" wasn't defined by risky decisions. Peer Pressure was and is still at an all-time high and activities such as underage drinking, drug usage, and teen pregnancy are happening all too often. Teens need a positive influence and that’s why I wanted to promote this. Flash forward to today, it wasn’t long ago that I was standing in the shoes of these kids. It's so powerful for them to be able to see someone just like them that can show them that the path less traveled is a worthy one.
I want to emphasize to them the dangers of risk-taking behaviors and their ability to derail their futures. I speak with students about how they can be in the driver’s seat to their destiny and always lead a healthy lifestyle surrounded by positivity and people who raise them higher.
As a talented singer, what do you enjoy most about performing on stage?
For me, it's getting to entertain an audience and take them out of the room to a different place with a different story. Truly nothing makes me light up more than being on the stage.
Music has played an integral role in my life. I began singing and dancing when I was 2-years-old and spent the majority of my educational journey pursuing my passion for musical theatre. I've continued my passion for music as a frequent headliner performer throughout the state of New Jersey. Most recently, I performed with America’s Got Talent Winner Landau Murphy Jr.
You’re currently working as a Production Coordinator with PHL17. What do you enjoy about that role?
I love bringing a voice to the voiceless. I'm a storyteller at heart and I love that PHL17 allows me to tell stories of those who can't tell them themselves. My love for journalism goes beyond being on camera. I treat every day as an opportunity to change the narrative that all journalists are unethical and constantly biased.
I'm so grateful to have earned the position at PHL17 so soon after graduating from Rowan. I love my colleagues and the community that I work in. My role at PHL has expanded and now I'm able to serve as a feature reporter. This is so exciting for me and brings me one step closer to my dream of working as a news anchor.
If you could be a Disney Character for a week, who would you choose? Why?
If you had an extra ticket to a Somerset Patriots baseball game, who would you take with you? Why?
I would take my Dad with me. My dad was a baseball player in high school and is a huge sports fan. He's taught my family everything that we know about the game of baseball. When the Phillies won the World Series he took us to Broad Street for the parade and it was a moment I will never forget.
Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience?
I've been to a lot of baseball games in my life, but I have to say that I'd love to sing the National Anthem at a major or minor league baseball game. This would be such an exciting opportunity.
That would be quite an experience!
As always, I want to thank Alyssa for visiting with us, and for sending along the picture to go with the interview.
As Alyssa continues her time as Miss New Jersey, I encourage you to follow her title's Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook account. You can also check out the Miss New Jersey website. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on!
I also want to wish her the best of luck when she competes for the Miss America crown this winter. It would be fantastic to have another section 36 visitor wear that crown!
No comments:
Post a Comment