Howell woman thrilled to be Miss New Jersey
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

Amy Polumbo

HOWELL - Hard work and perseverance are what 22-year-old Howell resident Amy Polumbo said helped her outpace 27 other candidates to win the 2007 Miss New Jersey crown during a pageant held June 16 at the Music Pier in Ocean City, Cape May County.

Polumbo, a graduate of Howell High School, is a senior theater major at Wagner College, Staten Island, N.Y. She said the Miss Seashore Line pageant was only the second competition she had entered. The winner earned the title of Miss New Jersey.

She said winning the title came as complete surprise.

By virtue of holding the title of Miss New Jersey, Polumbo will represent the Garden State in the next Miss America pageant. No date for that event has been announced.

Polumbo said competing in the Miss America pageant was something she dreamed of doing as a little girl. It was during her employment as an equity principal singer and actor for Disney that Polumbo said she felt compelled to compete.

"I kept getting all of these signs. I kept hearing it was something I should go for. So I did," Polumbo said.

The Howell resident said she has learned a lot not only about herself, but about the other contestants as well. The competition has "allowed me to look inside of myself and portray who I am to the panel and to the audience," Polumbo said.

The Miss America pageant has been in existence for more than 80 years. According to the Miss America Organi-zation's Internet Web site, "Miss America is more than just a title. She is a woman who reflects a tradition of style, sophistication and service."

Polumbo said the opportunity to serve on such a broad scale is one of the reasons why she and so many other girls compete.

"After you put away the gowns, take off the makeup and let the hair down, you get to the root of why we're all doing this, to make a difference," she said.

Polumbo wants to make a difference through her campaign for protecting children from Internet predators. For Polumbo this issue hits home. She said she encountered an incident with a family member who got into some trouble on the Web.

According to Polumbo, this is an issue that needs attention. She said if she is eventually crowned Miss America, she will use her platform to "capitalize momentum for Internet safety curriculums within schools."

Although the entire experience is fairly new to Polumbo, she is up for the challenge. She said, "I plan to do my absolute best in representing my state. I don't consider myself a 'Pageant Patty.' However, I have worked hard enough to have gained this opportunity and experience."

Polumbo described her struggles with muscle tension dysphonia (a type of voice disorder) and about the death of her father when she was 13. She emphasized that she is a survivor and she is ready to meet the challenges ahead.

"My struggles and experiences have made me who I am. They have taught me determination and integrity," she said.