The Alternative Press

NEWTON, NJ – Miss Newton, Little Miss Newton, and Little Mr. Newton each received their titles at a special ceremony on Friday night at Project Self –Sufficiency in Newton.

The Little Miss Newton, Little Mr. Newton, and Miss Newton Contest was coordinated by the Town of Newton Recreation Commission.

The 2012 winners were: Ashley Iliff for Miss Newton, Averi Shaye Dodd for Little Miss Newton, and James Detwiller as Little Mr. Newton.

Other contestants were: Kiara Detwiller, Catherine Fogelson, and Lauren Elizabeth Hennighan (who was chosen as runner-up) for Miss Newton; Jaylin Bash, Ava Elizabeth Bryski, Payton Reese Goldschmidt, Isabela Osorio, Danielle Penny, Kelsey Patricia Snellen, and Ashley M. Vargas for Little Miss Newton; and, Edward Joseph (E.J.) Flynn, Kasai Goritski, Matthew Guziewicz, Cardin Damari Madry, and Domenick Wieboldt for Little Mr. Newton.

Town of Newton Town Manager Thomas S. Russo, Jr. was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

Judges were Deborah Mello, Founder/Artistic Director of Children’s Chorus of Sussex County (CCSC), Erma Gormley, Retired Sussex County Clerk, and Elaine M. Morrow, System Analyst, CIT Group.

“This is exciting for our youngest residents,” said Mayor Helen Le Frois.

Le Frois thanked the outgoing 2011 contestants, Miss Newton Kayla Georgeanne Marie Sibblies, Little Miss Newton Naya Pereira, and Little Mr. Newton Jaylen Gooding.

“We have been together at many events and the three of you represented us very well,” Le Frois added.

Russo asked each participant a series of questions. For the youngest participants, he asked them their favorite animal, the name of their best friend and the games they enjoyed playing with them, and which of two career choices they would prefer.

Bash told Russo her favorite animal was a monkey, she liked to play hide-and-seek with her best friend, Gianna, and wanted to be a dance star.

Bryski said dogs were her favorite, and, when Russo asked what kind she replied, “I have a mutt, eliciting laughs from the audience. She said she liked to play outside with her friend, and, wanted to become a teacher to help her learn.

Dodd (Little Miss Newton) said Flamingos were her favorite, “’cause they’re pink”. She said she likes to play with her friend Kelsey because she is nice, and wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up because, “I like pretty clothes.”

Goldschmidt said frogs were her favorite creatures because “they’re slippery”, and she and best friend Molly like to play tag. When asked to choose between becoming a veterinarian or cheerleader, Goldschmidt said she wanted to become a cheerleader.

Osorio said she liked lizards since they change colors. Her best friend, she said, is Melissa because, “She plays with me a lot and she likes me. I like to play tag with her.” She said she would like to become an artist when she grows up.

Penny told Russo she was a fan for zebras, because they had stripes, and best friend Avery is nice because she plays with her. She said she wanted to become an illustrator to “make pretty pictures.”

Snellan said she loved Polar Bears because they were “soft”, and best friend Abigail because she plays hide-and-seek with her. Shellan told the audience she wants to be a chef when she grows up.

Vargas said dogs were here favorites, because they were “cute”. She said she enjoyed time outside with friend, Darla, and wanted to be naturalist.

“There are tough decisions ahead for the judges,” said Russo, after the Little Miss Newton contestants spoke.

Next, Russo interviewed the Little Mr. Newton Contestants.

Detwiller (Little Mr. Newton), said he liked chimps because, they are “strong”, liked to play Pokeman with friend Kasai, and wanted to be a Soccer star when he grows up.

Flynn said the River Otter was his favorite animal because they “can eat lunch from their stomach, like fish.” His best friend is Amber, said Flynn, and they play Soccer and Star Wars together. He planned to become a geologist, he said, because, “Rocks come in all different shapes and sizes.”

Goritski said the lion was his favorite animal, as “King of the Jungle.” He said he and his best friend like to play soccer and he plans to be a football star. When Russo asked which one, Goritski said the Eagles.

Guziewicz said his favorite animal was the bear, and he enjoys playing basketball. He said he planned to be a baseball star, and likes the Mets.

Madry said he likes frogs because they come and different colors, enjoys tag with friends Nick and Cory, and wanted to be a paleontologist to study dinosaur bones.

Wieboldt said he likes dogs, and enjoys video games with his best friend. He told Russo he plans to become a police officer in Newton, and Russo replied with a smile, “I’ll get you an application and hire you someday.”

The Miss Newton contestants were asked more in depth questions.

Detwiller was introduced as enjoying juggling, and bike riding. She works at Camp Iliff.

When asked what areas of town she would give a tour of, she said from the High School to Main Street, and the rest of town.

When asked of a deceased person she would like to meet, she said, Jesus, and would ask, how He could be so brave.

Russo inquired about Detwiller’s stance on handling bullying, and said there should be more opportunities for children to speak to counselors.

When asked how she would like to be remembered, Detwiller replied, “as a friendly outgoing person and a good role model for girls.”

Fogelson was introduced as 21 years old and a graduate of Newton High School, and very involved in charity work.

If taking someone on a tour of Newton, Fogelson said she would stop at the historical buildings on Main Street, and show the history of town.

If she could speak to a deceased person, she said, it would be her father, who passed away when she was six.

“I would tell him we miss him a lot,” Fogelson replied.

As for bullying, Fogelson said children should be careful about who they bully, because of who their target may become later in life.

She said she “hoped people would remember me for all the good I’ve done.”

Hennington, a lifelong resident born in Newton, is a Sussex County Technical School student, and has worked extensively with the Girl Scouts, with plans to earn her Gold Award.

Hennington told the audience that she would give a tour of Spring Street.

She said if there was anyone she would want to meet, it would be Juliette Low, who founded the Girl Scouts.

Hennington said in regard to bullying, people should recognize each other’s uniqueness.

She said she also hoped she would be remembered for her humor.

Iliff, Russo said, has family roots in the county going back 200 years. She is involved in wrestling at school, as well as cheerleading, track, student council, work at Camp Iliff, and a Christian Outreach Program.

Iliff said if she was to give a tour of Newton, she would focus on the Historical significance of the Merriam Family. “They owned the shoe factor, and employed a lot of people.”

Anthony Robles, a one leg amputee and wrestler, is someone Iliff said she hoped she could meet someday. “He really inspires me because he has beat the odds.”

As for bullying, Iliff said, “I watch children bullying each other, and it’s tough. They deal with a lot of challenges they don’t have to deal with.”

Iliff told Russo and the audience she would like to be remembered for “making a difference anywhere possible.”

Russo gave thanks to the Newton Town Council, including Le Frois, Deputy Mayor Sandra Diglio, Councilman Joseph Ricciardo, Councilman Kevin Elvidge, Councilwoman Kristen Becker, Deputy Town Manager Debra Milliken, and Municipal Clerk Lorraine Read.

He also gave thanks to Kerry Deckert, Recreation Supervisor, and Suzie Givone, Administrative Asssitant. Also the Newton Recreation Commission, Ludmilla Mecaj (event chair), Donald Meng, Jim Schmitt, Frank Sebastiano, Hank Smith, and Ken Teets.

Additional thanks were given to: Project-Self Sufficiency, Ilira-Marsena Mecaj, Service Electric Cable TV of NJ, Inc., Kohl’s volunteers and other volunteers, and sponsors Academy of Japanese Karate, Carpet Gallery, Chic Square boutique, Dollars-R-Us, Dominick’s Pizzeria, Home Depot, Lakeland Bank, Newton Trophy, PNC Bank, Pottery Pizazz, LLC, The Scissor Joint, Staples, Thorlabs, Walmart, Walgreens, Weis Markets, and Wildflowers by Tami.

Each contestant was presented with a gift bag at the end of the contest.

The first appearance by Miss Newton, Little Miss Newton, and Mr. Newton, will be at Newton Day today, June 9.