Miss NJ Crowned

If the pressure is on, it's undetectable in the voice of Miss New Jersey Alicia Renee Luciano. Breaking the jinx that hovers over the Miss America Pageant's host state doesn't weigh on her mind. Never mind that no beauty queen from the Garden State has won the crown in decades. And the one who did in 1937, Bette Cooper of Hackettstown, ran off with her chaperon and never officially served.

"Everything happens for a reason," the 18-year-old Luciano said Sunday. "If it's meant to be, it will be. I plan on going to Miss America and having the time of my life."

Luciano was crowned Miss New Jersey Saturday night. Representing Sussex, Warren and Morris counties, the Byram woman beat out 25 other contestants, dancing ballet to "The Prayer" by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, and winning the swimsuit competition.

"This is something you dream about, but it's a huge transition to the reality," she said.

Luciano's platform is breast cancer awareness. Her grandmother died of the disease two years ago and she plans to devote her year of service as Miss New Jersey to highlighting the importance of early detection.

This fall, Luciano will return to Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y., as a sophomore, continuing her studies in arts administration, dance and English.

Besides the crown, Luciano won an $8,000 college scholarship. The Miss America Pageant is Sept. 21 in Atlantic City.

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Author: 6 ABC-AP