Amelia Macchietto Crowned Miss Newton 2015

NEWTON, NJ – The Town of Newton celebrated the crowning of the Little Mr. Newton, Little Miss Newton and Miss Newton Contests on Friday, June 5.

At the event held at Project Self-Sufficiency in Newton, Emilie Petry, Miss Newton 2014 (click here for last year’s article), presided over the ceremonies in her last event as Miss Newton 2014, and led the contestants on and off the stage, and presented the winners with their prizes.

There were seven Miss Newton contestants, nine Little Miss Newton contestants and five Little Mr. Newton contestants.

Amelia Macchietto was crowned Miss Newton 2015, Zariah Moore Little Miss Newton and Rodolfo Sarmiento Romero as Little Mr. Newton. Runners up for Miss Newton were: (first) Hannah Balatero and (second) Addison Hillard.

Town of Newton Town Manager Thomas S. Russo Jr. expressed, “I love being the town manager and supporting the town.” He said he especially enjoys presiding over events like the Miss Newton, Mr. Newton and Miss Newton Contests.

Russo acts as the annual emcee for the event, asking each of the participants a series of questions about their personal interests, character and favorite things in Newton.

The Town of Newton Recreation Commission coordinates the annual event, with assistance this year as well from Project Self-Sufficiency, Service Electric Cable TV and Samantha Givone. The sponsors this year included: All Access, Dominick’s, G&S Convenience Food Store, Hayek’s Market, Lakeland Bank, Ms Jean’s Playhouse, Newton Moose Lodge, Newton Pizza, PNC Bank, ShopRite, Wal-Mart and Wildflowers by Tami.

Each of the contestants was led up to the stage and then had an opportunity to respond to questions at the microphone, with the Little Miss Contestants first, Little Mr. next and lastly, the Miss Newton contestants. During a brief intermission with refreshments prior to the awards and receipt of crowns, the three judges evaluated the contestants. Jennifer Dodd (Braves Cheerleading Team, Committee Members), Stella Dunn (School Board President) and Sharon Giacchino (NORWESCAP Director) were the three judges.

The candidates for Little Miss Newton were: Sierra Arfken, Eunice Atta, Brooke Lynn Farence, Jordan Fogelson, Diem Goldschmidt, Nathaly Hernandez, Grace Lippe, Zariah Moore and Peyton Richards. Russo asked a series of questions to the Little Miss contestants, including who their best friends were and what fun activities they enjoy with that friend, their favorite book and what they enjoy to do in Newton.

Arken said that she enjoys playdates with her best friends, likes to read Barbie books and enjoys playing in the park. Atta said that she enjoys time with her friend Avery, reading Ivy and Bean books and enjoys learning and playing at the Merriam Avenue School. Farence said that she enjoys going on the swings with her friend Taylor, reading Elsa books and her favorite place in Newton is the Merriam Avenue School. Fogelson said her best friend is Diem, she enjoys books about princesses and agreed as well that Merriam Avenue School is the place to be to learn and really loves her teachers. Goldschmidt said that she enjoys times with friends like Jordan, reading books about princesses and the Newton Pool is her favorite place, where she could “go to the pool and swim around.” Lippe said that Barry is her best friend, her favorite book is Olaf because she likes snowmen and she likes the Merriam Avenue School. Moore said that her best friend is Taylor and they like to read together, including the Frozen books (“I like a lot of snow.”), plus enjoys being at the park on the swings. Richards said that she enjoys time in the park with her friends and playing with dolls, she said she enjoys reading Barbie books, and the Merriam Avenue School is her favorite place in Newton.

The candidates for Little Mr. Newton were: Aidan Tyler Card, Jack Leatham, Barry Mayfield Jr. and Rodolfo Sarmiento Romero.

Russo asked the Little Mr. Contestants questions as well about what they like to do with their best friends, their favorite books and their favorite places in Newton.

Card said that he liked to play with his best friend, read Transformer books with his grandpa and his favorite place to visit in Newton was the firehouse “because he could see the fire trucks.” Leatham said that he enjoys playing tag with his friends, enjoys Transformer books and also liked to visit the firehouse because of the trucks. Mayfield said that Ryan is one of his best friends, that he enjoys Batman books and he likes the slide at the park. Sarmiento Romero said that Diem and Jordan are his best friends who he likes to play with during recess, that he likes the book about The Hungry Caterpillar because “the caterpillar gets fatter and fatter” and his favorite place in Newton is the park because “you do everything at the park.”

 

Each contestant for Miss Newton was led down the center aisle and onto the stage. Among the questions Russo asked each contestant was: to describe themselves in three words, asked what their best memory in Newton has been so far and also what they would like to be remembered for.

Hannah Balatero is a senior in high school and will be attending Hofstra University. She was crowned first runner up in the Miss Newton Pageant. She has a strong interest in vocal performing and has performed as a soloist. She described herself as “committed, organized and fun.” I’m very involved in school and passionate about all I do.” She said she likes to see the best in every situation and do as much as possible.

Balatero said her best memory in Newton was her first Newton Day after moving from Kuwait to Newton in 2005. She was impressed with the celebration that the town did emphasizing all positive aspects of the town and remembers enjoying popcorn and patronizing the local businesses.

Balatero said she would like to be remembered for “how I treated other people,” as a person who was known as kind and treated others fairly.

Samantha Brewster expressed a strong involvement in Irish Dancing and the FFA (Future Farmers of America) program at Newton High School.

Brewster described herself as “driven” and a “very poised person,” attributed her Irish Dancing in instilling these qualities in her, plus weaving in her determined spirit.

She described her senior year in Newton as “one of the best for me” and one that has given “the best memories.”

Brewster said she would like to be remembered, as the person who only is viewed as she is now, which she said is someone who smiles often and is positive. She said she hopes people will “only think good and happy things about me.”

Addison Hillard also known as “Addie” has excelled in track and has made state finals in basketball for Newton. In addition to her activities, she also works at the Dairy Queen. She was crowned second runner up in the Miss Newton pageant.

Hillard described herself as “athletic” and someone who is intelligent and holds a respect for others. Her best opportunity in Newton, she said was to head to the state championship for basketball, noting “how much athletics mean and how much the town supports it.”

She said she would like to be remembered as someone who is kind, respectful and for “being a genuinely good person.”

Madelyn Le Frois is a student at Pope John who has been involved in a range of community activities including honors choir, dance and the Squirettes.

Le Frois described herself as “confident” and “outstanding” in terms of her positive personality attributes, qualities she said that she “uses her true personality in all she does.”

One of her best memories in Newton she said was her prom this past year and the times that she spent at that special event with lots of friends.

Le Frois said that she would like to be remembered most for her service and outreach in the community.

Amelia Macchietto has lived in Newton for the past ten years and is involved in theater at Newton High School among her activities. She has received accolades as “Student of the Month” on WSUS and is very involved in her church, Christian Faith Fellowship Church.

Macchietto, who was crowned Miss Newton, told the crowd that among her positive attributes is her dedication to her activities, her faithfulness to God and her close relationship with Him and her positive outlook on life.

She said that her fondest memory in Newton was her first day at Merriam Avenue School as a new student. A fellow student named Jack welcomed her in a way that she described as “really nice” and brought an immediate sense of warmth and belonging that she feels the Town of Newton represents.

Macchietto also said that she would like to be remembered for her positivity and cited the scripture Matthew 5:16 (NIV) as her example, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Morgan Nisler has strong academic achievements at Newton High School, will be heading to Fairleigh Dickinson University and works at Northcliff Kennels.

Nisler described herself as persistent that she does not give up easily, intelligent that she continues to work hard in her academics and down to earth, “I keep grounded in everything stressful,” she added.

Nisler said her best memory in Newton has been time at Newton Day when she was in the middle school.

Nisler said she would like to be remembered for her success and plans to stay in the Sussex County area to make positive changes.

Cassidy Turner is a student at Pope John, has received math awards, is involved with Habitat for Humanity and involved in sports, between her many activities.

Turner said that one of her positive attributes is her independent nature. She also described herself as intelligent. She also shared about her caring spirit, which she said especially involves her family.

Her best memory of Newton is the community itself and the closeness of it, to see everyone walking around town.

Turner said she would like to be remembered for everything she has done to help others.

Macchietto took to the podium after being crowned and said that she looks forward to serving as Miss Newton. She will be in attendance at Newton Day on June 13 and will be a contestant at the Queen of the Fair Pageant. In her duties as Miss Newton, she may also preside over the Holiday Parade in November, the Holiday Senior Luncheon in December, the Holiday Tree Lighting in December, the Spring Senior Luncheon in March 2016, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March 2016 and the Memorial Day Parade in May 2016.

 

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