Miss Byram 2014 crowned
BYRAM — Alexandra Tufaro, 17, a rising senior at Lenape Valley High School, has been crowned Miss Byram 2014.
Her poise, confidence, communication skills and list of accomplishments earned her the coveted title at the Byram Royalty competition held recently at the Tamaracks Country Villa in Byram.
Tufaro will represent Byram at the Queen of the Fair contest at the New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show in August. The winner of that contest moves on to the Miss New Jersey competition.
Kaitlyn Andolena, a student at Byram Intermediate School, won the title of Junior Miss Byram, for ages 13 to 16. Nicole Miller was named Young Miss Byram in the eight to 12 age group, in which a record 14 girls participated. Jocelyn Bailey won the title of Little Miss Byram, for ages four to seven. The new Junior Miss Byram, Young Miss Byram and Little Miss Byram also are invited to compete at the county level at the New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show in August.
Judges faced a tough choice from among the outstanding Byram youths competing for the four royalty titles.
Tufaro Hits a Home Run
Tufaro, a Scholar Athlete and honor roll student, has played varsity softball and basketball since freshman year, been named “Athlete of the Week” by Mugs Media, and featured for her LVHS softball performance by Jersey Sports Now in print and video.
Tufaro led the schools varsity softball team with the highest batting average and has been recognized by the New Jersey Herald for her softball achievements. She plays on two competitive college showcase softball teams, earned a LVHS Citizenship award, was selected to participate in the school’s “Every 15 Minutes” anti-drinking and drunk driving program, and serves as a peer mentor for the Girl Scouts.
When Tufaro isn’t playing competitive sports, she’s handling a power boat, dirt bike, quad all-terrain vehicle and her convertible Mustang. She also is a Hollister store model, and wowed the Byram Royalty audience in a sleek and dazzling bright-red gown.
Junior Miss Byram Kaitlyn Andolena will be entering eighth grade at the Byram Intermediate School, where she has been accepted twice to the “People to People Student Ambassador” program.
In 2013 she served as a student ambassador in Western Canada and this July will serve in Italy, France and England. She is a member of the school’s gifted and talented program, attends lectures at Bergen Community College and has already “aced” the SAT's. To date, Andolena’s community service projects include Relay for Life, the American Heart Association, NORWESCAP and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. She excels at swimming, basketball and track, loves reading, drawing, photography and fashion, and is a published author. For her future, Andolena’s interests include International Business and Management, Literary Arts and urban building photography.
Young Miss Byram Nicole Miller is a gifted and talented student at the Byram Lakes School. She is nine years old and loves softball, reading and basketball. Little Miss Byram Jocelyn Bailey is known for making her friends laugh and for being “very lucky.” She is six years old and loves to paint and play with her younger siblings. Both young ladies were selected for their impressive communication skills, poise and confidence.
All 22 Byram Royalty contestants honored Byram Township with their participation and outstanding qualifications.
The event sponsors included Byram McDonalds, Byram Pizza, Cici's Nails, Frogmore Country Store, Hairloom, Lawrence Video, Salt GastroPub, SEC-TV and Tamaracks Country Villa BandB.
Event organizers included Janet Meisner, Byram Recreation Director, Rachel Schilling, reigning Miss Byram, and Michelle Bloch and Lorna Dockery, Byram Royalty Committee volunteers.