Maplewood Girl Will Represent N.J. In National American Miss Pageant

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — When most teens smile it lights up the room. But when Maplewood 13-year-old Nyla Edwards smiles it can light up the entire state.

On Aug. 14, Edwards, a student at Our Lady of Sorrows school in South Orange, captured the pre-teen title of 2016 National American Miss New Jersey in New Brunswick. She was one of 91 Garden State finalists who competed for the title of “Miss New Jersey Pre-Teen.”

Edwards took home a $1,000 prize, but more importantly, she’s earned the right to represent New Jersey in the National American Miss Pageant to be held in Anaheim, California, this Thanksgiving week.

According to the National American Miss website, which takes care to avoid labeling the event a “beauty contest,” competitors are “scored 30% on their Personal Introduction, 30% on Formal Wear Poise and Appearance, 30% on Communications Skills in an Interview, and 10% on Participating in a Community Involvement Project on Pageant Weekend.”

During the state competition, Edwards was recognized for her activities which include volleyball, altar serving, Girl Scouts, track & field, acting and babysitting.

“I wanted to win and make friends, and I liked that we had to bring in children’s books for the community service project so that we could help kids less fortunate,” Edwards told Essex News Daily.

“Nyla has learned that good things come from preparation, determination and focus,” her mother, Anya Edwards, told The Village Green.

“Now that I'm Miss New Jersey Pre-Teen, I'm off to the National American Miss Pageant in California… I want to give it my all and bring the crown back to New Jersey,” Edwards wrote in an online fundraiser aimed at raising money to cover the expenses of competing, which can be seen here.

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