Local youngster chosen as Miss New Jersey pre-teen finalist

Lilly Giordano, 12, of Washington Township, daughter of the late John Paul Giordano of Sparta, has been chosen as a state finalist in the National American Miss New Jersey Pageant to be held in August at the Hilton in East Brunswick.

The pageant is held for girls ages 10 to 12.

The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 cash reward, the official crown and banner, a bouquet of roses and air transportation to compete in the national pageant at Disneyland in California.

Pageants are held for girls ages four to 18, in five age groups.

The National American Miss pageants are dedicated to celebrating America and encouraging its future leaders.

Each year, the pageant awards thousands in scholarships and prizes to recognize and assist in the development of young women nationwide.

All activities are age-appropriate and family-oriented.

The National American Miss pageants are for Today’s Girl and Tomorrow’s Leaders.

The pageant program is based on inner beauty as well as poise and presentation and offers an all-American spirit of fun for family and friends.

Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence, learning new skills, learning good attitudes about competition, and setting and achieving personal goals.

The pageant seeks to recognize the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set goals for the future.

Lilly’s sponsors include Dinardi Landscape and Design Inc of Emerson, Spring Lake Day Camp, Inc. of Ringwood, Carcara Orthodontics of Westwood, Family and Friends.