Letter from the Editor This year Bravura Magazine has celebrated 9 years – and there is still SO much to be done! Over the past few months, we have forged a wonderful relationship with the M i s s N e w Je r s e y E d u cat i o n Foundation and I owe it all to the darling Cara McCollum – This issue is dedicated to you Cara. I miss you dearly; may you forever watch over us.
We’re back to bring you some amazing fashion week highlights, a new br i dal feature, an d o ur spotlight feature is on “The Life of a Marine.” Thank you to those who have served our nation & serving now.
xoxo I hope you enjoy this issue!
Tirusha
In Memory of Cara McCollum Not a day goes by when I see something which reminds me of Cara; she truly knew what it meant to live life by each moment. She was as selfless as one could be, and lived to make those around her happy. Cara is remembered for the Ame she served as an anchor on SNJ Today, and most importantly, how she beauAfully represented the Miss NJ EducaAon FoundaAon, as our Miss New Jersey 2013. Former Miss NJ, Lindsey Giannini, said, “Cara was the type of person you never forget. Her humor was dry and legendary and she always had you belly laughing. I'll never forget the guidance she gave me aPer I was crowned Miss New Jersey. My favorite memory of her was when we used a hand dryer in a bathroom to iron our wrinkled dresses at an event. We were hysterically laughing!” Born to Rick & Maureen McCollum, Cara was a bubbly Arkansas girl, who graduated from her high school as valedictorian; she soon moved to NJ where she aXended Princeton University as a journalism student, and graduated in 2015 with her B.A. in English. I came to know Cara as she was our current Miss New Jersey, and we had many memorable moments together. I felt so honored that I was able to bring her as Bravura Magazine’s celebrity guest for Fashion Week, and styled her in a saree! This issue is dedicated to you and all the young minds & hearts you touched. May your Birthday Book Project live on forever, and may you conAnue to inspire the countless young girls who aspire to reach the success you did. We know your radiant smile is forever watching down on us. We love you Cara; and we will always remember you. February 6, 1992 – February 22, 2016
CONTRIBUTORS Bhushan Ahire, Catchy Eye Photography Since childhood, I was fond of photography. One reason for this could be having a father who is a photographer. It gave me a chance to explore the old roll cameras, develop photographs in the dark room and understand the importance of light in photography. No wonder I developed an interest in photography by the ?me I became a teen. I love to capture moments that I would like to remember for a long ?me. I started with landscape and macro photography. I kept exploring the technical aspects and learned how to frame the subject with perfec?on. Being in New York City for over 2 years I got exposure to the fashion industry and loved working with the designers and models. It was interes?ng to capture the sophis?ca?on and drama on the ramp. Recently, I am awarded “Top Photographer of the Year 2016” in the Atlan?c City Fashion Week (ACFW). My photography reveals my honesty, sincerity, and passion. Most importantly, I enjoy taking pictures, which makes my photos appear taken effortlessly. I will con?nue chasing my dream to explore different forms of photography to the extent I can. Catch his photography in our feature on Season 9 of Atlan:c City Fashion Week!
Naina Ruhail, Bravura Magazine Beauty Editor // Blog: iSpeakWhatYouLove Currently residing in London, England, Naina is our Beauty Editor and also has her own personal blog, “I Speak What You Love.” With our readers, she shared her interests and ideas about everything that she loves from beauty and fashion to travel and lifestyle. She makes an earnest effort to keep her readers hooked to her blog by answering their queries and pos?ng what they like. Professionally an MBA and a freelance makeup ar?st, Naina collaborates with brands as an innovator bringing something new to each and every post she writes. She loves experimen?ng with her looks and is known in the social circle for her makeup skills. You can contact her at: naina.ruhail@gmail.com. Catch her feature on the perfect styling for New Years Eve…or any:me you want to dress nice when going out!
CONTRIBUTORS Hector Vazquez, Inspire Photos Photography is more than just taking pictures; this is the way that I live day in and day out. Becoming a photographer was not something that I saw myself doing, but it is said, “If you love what you do you will never work a day in your life”. I can say that this is something that I feel is a passion, something that I cannot live without, and a craZ that I will do whatever I need to do to perfect. Now I am not saying that all my experiences have been memorable, but they have mo?vated me to where I am at now, 16 years later s?ll becoming successful and learning every day on how to perfect my craZ, how to make sure all my clients leave with an experience to remember, and to stay true to myself and challenge myself to be be[er than I was yesterday. With every new client, I make sure we connect; aZer all it is me and my craZ you want. Anyone can take a picture, we see it every day and at every event, but to capture memories, to steal moments and freeze them in ?me, to make sure your day is remembered is what I will do.
Catch his & Carrie’s features in Bravura Brides, as well as, Fashion-chute! Carrie Lynn, Inspire Photos I get to meet new and exci?ng people every day. I feel that every person you come into contact with you can benefit from in some type of way. You never know what that person has to offer or what you can offer them. Photos are visual memories of special occasions, your child’s first birthday, family holiday pictures or your wedding. It’s a way to look back and remember that special day. I love being able to look back at an image and remember the en?re story behind it. Being a part of your wedding day and experiencing that with you and your family, becoming a part of your experience. I can look back and say “Hey, I remember that?” And I do because I was a part of it every step of the way. Photos last a life?me, but so do memories and rela?onships we make.
Atlantic City Fashion Week, Season 9
Photos By: Bhushan Ahire, Catchy Eye Photography
Fashion-chute Photos By: Hector Vazquez & Carrie Lynn Inspire Photos Designer: John Leon
I came up with the concept since I was :red of wai:ng for someone else to create it. I wanted to use something that was going to have people stop and see what was going on while shoo:ng‌Vazquez said, when asked about the contept of Fashion-chute!
It's not like your average dress comes with a 24foot train; so I started to accomplish what I wanted which was to have people stop and watch while we were shoo:ng. -Vazquez
Vazquez con?nued, “I had a design in my head and brought it to Leon (the designer) as a concept; he came back with the finished result. I allowed him to run wild with it.”
Cover Story: Brenna Weick Miss New Jersey
As told by Brenna Weick Photos By: P.G. Photography
My journey with the Miss America Organiza?on began when I was just 14. I competed for and won my first teen local p a g e a n t , M i s s C o a s t a l S h o r e ’ s Outstanding Teen 2008, and went on to win my first state ?tle, Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen 2009. When I traveled to Miss America’s Outstanding Teen to represent my state that summer, I unexpectedly became first runner- up. I hadn’t ever imagined I would do so well in this new “pageant world,” and I felt each aspect of compe??on just came naturally to me. While being 1st runner-up to a na?onal ?tle was an exci?ng surprise, I s?ll felt the s?ng of being “that close” to my dream. When, a few years later, I was compe?ng for my first local pageant, I felt confident and excited to re-enter the MAO. I won no preliminary awards, was not a runner- up, and did not take home a crown. My comfort-level with my pageant success was sha[ered and it was the first ?me I had to really wonder what I had done wrong and how I would approach the next pageant.
Once I won Miss Eastern Shore, I prepared and was first runner-up at my first Miss New Jersey pageant. Of course I was shocked to do so well my first year at the “Miss” level, but I felt the familiar s?ng of being so close yet so far. Being first runner-up seemed to be my signature as next year at Miss New Jersey 2014 I remained in second place. At Miss New Jersey 2015 I was fiercely figh?ng what many people nicknamed the “first runner-up curse,” taking all aspects of compe??on too seriously and forgemng the fun that came with pageantry. That year I placed 2nd runner-up, and almost felt a weight liZ off of my shoulders. While I had dropped one place lower, I no longer felt the pressure of being almost there. This year I vowed to enjoy the prepara?on and rekindle my love for the fun involved in my pageant career and it paid off when I finally won the ?tle of Miss New Jersey.
Dress Sponsor: Debbie Smith, The Right Fit
Brenna was asked about one of her favorites moments as Miss NJ thus far, and she said, “It’s so hard to say and I’m only halfway through the year! A memory that s?cks out in my mind is from the day aZer winning the crown. I woke up in my hotel room before my alarm went off (if you know me at all, you’d know that this is unprecedented), and reminded myself that being crowned Miss New Jersey was not actually a dream. I remember so vividly the moments leading up to my tradi?onal toe dip in the Ocean City waves- having strangers see my sash and crown yelling, “congratula?ons!” It was the first ?me it really sank in and I realized that I had an en?re year of memories ahead of me. That day I realized that the Miss District of Columbia crowning was only a few hours away and my mom, local director, and I drove straight to the pageant. I knew I wanted to soak up every experience possible and I haven’t stopped moving since!”
Compe?ng at Miss America was an actual dream come true. I was reminded just how many loving and suppor?ve volunteers the Miss America Organiza?on is made up of, from hostesses to security guards, seamstresses, and sponsors. I learned that the hilarious moments in the dressing room would mean far to me than any compe??ve results. I learned that there is a room dedicated solely to napping for the contestants (appropriately named “sleepy hollow”).
When I stepped foot on the Boardwalk Hall stage for the first ?me, I was overcome with emo?on - I couldn’t believe that I was actually compe?ng for Miss America. And what I learned in that moment was that it didn’t ma[er if I won M i s s A m e r i c a o r w a s contestant number 52 in judging results - I had an opportunity that so few would ever experience. I learned to be grateful for the sublime moments of happiness I’ve been giZed this year.
One pounding ques?on we had for Brenna was, “Society has such preconceived no?ons about pageants; how do you hope with your ?tle, and post-pageant life, to break the no?ons and educate people about pageantry.” And she so beau?fully replied, ”I hope that at each appearance I a[end I’ll talk to at least one person who changes their mind about pageant girls. I hope that I can engage in intelligent conversa?on and educate folks about the most important components of the Miss America Organiza?on- scholarship, service, style, and success…
…(cont.); with every speech I deliver, Instagram cap?on I write, and snapchat story I post, I hope to relate to people on a personal level. I want people to understand when they interact with me that I may represent the state and our organiza?on, but that I’m first and foremost a human being, trying to be a light in the world.”
You get to decide what your legacy will be. As someone who has looked up to former Miss New Jerseys my en?re life, I remember the way they spoke a n d t h e w a y t h e y h e l d themselves. Li[le girls will remember you for years to come- give them something for which to strive and remember that this one year of your reign has an impact on others for a life?me. Love, Brenna Weick, Miss New Jersey 2016
Bravura Brides: Melissa & Kevin Photos By: Hector Vazquez & Carrie Lynn Inspire Photos
New York International Bridal Week Photos By: P.G. Photography
New Years Eve Styling By: Naina Ruhail, Beauty Editor
Sparkles and Sequins: Who doesn't love some sequins? Sequin dresses, skirts, bags, jackets, all look amazing. The only thing you need to keep in mind when wearing sequins is to stay away from accessories that are too flashy. I'm wearing an animal print sequin dress here which is enough of a statement in itself.
Luxe Velvet For this New Years, go for luxe velvet in unexpected color pairings. It can be a classic LBD, skirt, pants, bag or even boots. Nothing speaks luxe the way velvet does
Metallic Metallic is huge this season. Colors like silver, gold and bronze look great on any party outfit. You could wear metallic as the full color in your dress or just add a pop of it in the form of a clutch, shrug or leggings.
Statement Accessory If you're someone who wants to keep it simple yet stand out, then all you need is statement accessories. It could be a piece of jewelry, bag, scarf or even shoes.
Makeup
Yes your makeup needs some planning too. Nothing ordinary works so add some glam and glitter to your face as well and look your best on the biggest night of the year.
Finish the look with your favorite winter essentials so that you're warm and comfortable throughout the night & nothing stops you from welcoming the new year with a blast!
Outfit Details: Dress, Earrings, Clutch and Hair clip- Topshop Boots- Charles & Keith Socks-Primark
7834 Ventnor Ave. Margate City, New Jersey Call (609) 541-2947
We recently caught up with two of our favorite beauty professionals, Stevie Cone & Jennifer Foster, from Avant Girl Salon, for a Q&A about makeup & hair! Be sure to visit the salon in Margate, NJ, and ask for them! Stevie, tell us a bit about your professional experience as a makeup ar:st; what made you want to enter into this profession? I grew up with a talent for drawing and wanted to apply it to the glamor field. I view a face as a canvas which enables me to transform that face into the client’s desired look. My career as a makeup ar?st at AvantGirl opened this career to varied client’s, their events and the looks that are required…beach photo shoots, date night, wedding day, NYE par?es. This has enabled me to develop and fine tune my various styles of makeup applica?on! What are some of the trending makeup looks for 2017? Gorgeous, lush brows are a must!!!! Full lashes enhance the natural beauty of eyes. Glowing, healthy skin as a base and contouring makeup. Which three makeup products does every girl need to have in her beauty collec:on? Great mascara, brow pencil and a fabulous lip color. Of all the beauty influences on social media, who is the one person, you think everyone needs to follow, and why? Jaclyn Hill, on Instagram, gives great makeup ?ps and tricks She gives instruc?onal videos on makeup applica?ons; she has a great sense of style. What is your secret to having great skin? A healthy diet is key!!! I only use organic and natural skin care lines…and, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!!!
Jennifer, who is an amazing hair stylist at Avant Girl, took the :me to speak with us about some hot-hair topics! Tell the readers of Bravura Magazine, a bit about your professional experience as a hair stylist; what made you want to enter into this profession? I was not surrounded by glamour in my forma?ve years and so my decision to enter into this field was purely of convenience. I have come to enjoy crea?ng the transforma?on process, whether it be styling, coloring or shaping hair. It’s rewarding to know that I can make people feel beau?ful. I know I’ve chosen the correct profession because it comes so naturally to me. What are some of the trending hairstyles for 2017? Bangs are trending for 2017 along with textured styles. The crimping iron is making a come back for that 40’s glam look. My method of styling is specific to the persons face, features and personality. What are your favorite products to use for hair/styling? I recommend and love working with Kerastase products; Each product is individualized to accommodate each customer’s needs which range from a frizz free line, curling gels and mouse, an? humidity lo?ons and sprays to masques for restora?ve purposes. Who is one celebrity you would love to work with and style their hair? Rihanna is a fashion and beauty icon; Her look is constantly changing…hair color and hair style. What do you personally feel is the secret to maintaining healthy & strong hair? Good nutri?on, gene?cs and the recommended hair products for hair type.
SEASON 2
Photos By: P.G. Photography
Post-Pageant Life with Amanda Peacock As told by Amanda Peacock Photos By: P.G. Photography
I started compe?ng in pageants when I was 14. I competed twice for my local county's ?tle, Miss Gloucester County's Outstanding Teen, and won the ?tle the second ?me. AZer my ďŹ rst ?me compe?ng for the ?tle, I was asked to compete at the state level at large, which means I did not have to have a local ?tle. As nervous as I was about compe?ng with girls who not only had ?tles, but had been compe?ng since they were all very young, I am so glad I did it because I learned so much and truly got a taste of what compe?ng at the state level is all about. I think it also helped me to go on to win a local ?tle a few months later. AZer having the ?tle of Miss Gloucester County's Outstanding Teen 2014-2015, I went on to win my second local ?tle, which was Miss Atlan?c Shores' Outstanding Teen 2016. Having both of these local ?tles allowed me two more ?mes to compete for the state ?tle of Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen. I was so honored this past January to ďŹ nish my years as a teen by being awarded second runner up to the ?tle. Not only did I receive a trophy and signiďŹ cant scholarship money, the experiences and friendships I made along the way are something I will always cherish.
Of course you have situa?ons such as making sure you are prepared with having paper- work in on ?me, having your wardrobe all put together, staying on top of current events, and doing mock interviews so you are best prepared for compe??on. However, I ďŹ nd the most challenging thing is to learn how to eec?vely manage your ?me when you have a local ?tle.
Holding my ?tles throughout my high school years proved challenging because I like to stay involved with school ac?vi?es such as Key Club, Honor Society and my school’s Drama Produc?ons, and many ac?vi?es outside of school, not to men?on keeping up with my studies to keep my grades up.
It takes a driven, dedicated person to be a pageant girl. Pageantry is not the cliché, “pre[y girls wearing pre[y dresses”. Being involved with pageantry takes ?me management, dedica?on and passion to your platorm, and a strong interest in giving back to others and your community. My best advice is to stay true to yourself, because there is no be[er version of you than the real person that you are. Don't change yourself to try to please others.
This year was especially difficult as a senior because I was very busy with college prep, visi?ng colleges and gemng my applica?ons in. When you have a local ?tle, you have a platorm to promote that you are passionate about. My platorm, Just Drive #ItCanWait, is something that I am very passionate about. Therefore, it takes up a lot of my ?me to promote it well. Aside from the impact of being able to be a part of so many distracted driving related events for three very special families that I work with, there have been many special and memorable moments. However one that s?cks out in my mind is something that happened this past September when myself and several of my pageant sisters were invited to the Capitol in Washington D.C. to be honored personally by Congressman Frank LoBiando for our various work with our platorms.
“It was my first :me visi:ng Washington D.C. with my family and this amazing group of people. We got to tour the Capitol building and several monuments, and it was a day I will never forget.”
Community service is something I have always been passionate about, and always will be. For instance, I am a big supporter of the Ronald McDonald House and for the past few years I have organized an event for some ?me during the week aZer Christmas, where a group of us get together to cook dinner and perform for the residents staying there. Although I gave up my ?tle in August, I s?ll wanted to keep this tradi?on going. As far as my platorm is concerned, distracted driving is something that is sadly con?nuing every day. I chose this platorm because of the epidemic that it has become and the amount of innocent lives that are being taken because of it. I was extremely honored to s?ll be a part of three distracted driving events for the three families that I support back in September and October, even without my ?tle. In September I par?cipated in "Walk with PADD (People Against Distracted Driving)", and the “2nd Annual Safe Drivers/Safe Runners 5k Walk/Run” with the Toni Donato-Bolis and Baby RJ Founda?on. Then in October, I was a part of the “8th Annual Heather L. Hurd 5k Run and Trick or Treat Walk” with the Hurd Family. It means so much to me to be a part of these special events. Distracted driving is 100 % avoidable, and I will con?nue to advocate every day, with or without a ?tle because it needs to stop.
Find Us On Social Media: Facebook.com/PGPhotographyNJ Instagram.com/PGPhotographyNJ
We specialize in: Weddings | Par?es| Runway | Headshots | Family Portraits Previous Clients Include: Miss NJ Outstanding Teen, Miss America 2016 Be[y Cantrell, Miss New Jersey Brenna Weick, and others!
Life of a Marine By: Tirusha Dave
Today we take you into the life of Lance Corporal, Nick Marine. Marine was born & raised in North Carolina; He had, “one younger sister, parents were married, not poor or rich,” Marine stated. “I didn't have a huge military family/ influence. I had two uncles that served, one Navy and one Marine Corps. The biggest military influence I guess would have to have been my Grandfather who was in the Army and served two tours in Vietnam. He was a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient.” He went onto say that he never had a major influence about going into the Marine Corps. Or such, but he does “remember growing up and thinking about being in the military, though I’m sure my view of that life was always just a "cool” thing I would do. I never actually had inten?ons to join un?l 9/11. I was in 7th grade; an announcement came over the intercom and told every teacher to get their students back to class and to wait for further instruc?ons.” Marine went onto stress, “My teacher, Mr. Jewi[, turned the news on and the first image was of the first tower smoking. Then we watched the second plane hit and Mr. Jewi[ just sat down & turned pale white. I knew what was happening but I wasn’t really old enough to get what the global impact was going to be so it didn't fully hit me. We released early that day and when I got off the bus my mom was wai?ng and she was crying and as we walked up the driveway I remember her saying, unfortunately I think this is going to mean war. I think aZer that sunk in I knew I had to do my part, not fully understanding that 9 years later I would ac?vely par?cipate in the that war.”
If interested in going into the Marine Corps., or any branch of the Military program, one must always do their research. As did Marine. “I actually thought about the Army first; but I did a li[le research and the Marine Corps. is combat focused and seemed to be the ones that got in the thick of things and that's what I wanted so I went that way. Before going into the Marine Corps., Nick said that he spoke with a recruiter over the phone. “It actually took me a couple tries to get him to speak with me. Since my last name is Marine when he asked my name, he thought I was pranking him and hung up. Finally I just went to the office and showed my license. He got a good crack out of it and then provided some pamphlets and other basic info. He didn't really give me a lot of great insight. I told him I wanted in, I wanted to be boots on the ground in Iraq, and I wanted it to be as soon as possible. So it was just a ma[er of physicals and the ASVAB. Once that was cleared I was off.”
But “boot-camp” was where the true training and strengthening of his ?me in the Marine Corps., would come. AZer boot-camp Marine said that one would then “go to SOI – School of Infantry. Depending on your job you go to MCT (Marine Combat Training), which is for Marines that have a job that isn't Infantry.” But there’s a second op?on as well. “If your job is Infantry then you go to ITB –Infantry Training Ba[alion. That's where you get your basic Infantry skills and then get your specialty assigned to you. Once you get through that you get assigned to your unit and sta?on. While at your unit basically your en?re job is to train. Whether it's ac?ve training or classroom, you are always being pushed to know more. Your en?re job is to train to go to war come back and train to go back out.”
Marine then stated, “There are specialty schools you can a[end and extra things you can do to really further yourself in a certain area. I focused a lot on Marksmanship and became a Marksmanship Coach, a Marksmanship Trainer, and a Foreign Weapons Instructor.” He went into explain that, “a Marksmanship Coach helps Marines while they are at their annual qualifying range week. A Marksmanship Trainer is someone who gives Marksmanship Coaches training and also trains the rest of the Marines on the range. A Foreign Weapons Instructor is exactly as the ?tle suggests, you learn about foreign weapons and learn how to instruct others on the basics of what they might see in combat.”
Marine also shared with us a term called being salty. He said, “It's a term Marines use to say how much you have been through b e c a u s e w h e n o n patrol in Afghan or Iraq or wherever you are you sweat ALOT and you end up leaving salt stains on your uniforms from all the sweat.
He con?nued, â€œâ€Śthe younger or less salty you are the harder the training. It is a lot of early mornings and late nights. You are required to be perfect in everyway and even when you are you are s?ll wrong. You're the bo[om of the totem poll as it is and you know it. Not to say older, sal?er Marines don't put in hard work but they do the training and get to be done usually. Younger Marines don't stop. I will have to say the movies get everything right except they tend to make it a bit more PG than it really is.â€?
While a part of the Marine Corps, Nick was sta?oned in Hawaii. Through my friendship with his wife, I had the chance to go out there, and see what it was like to live on a Marine base. It truly was a unique and memorable experience. While I visited, Nick was originally part of the 3 Ba[alion 3rd Marines. “That's the unit I deployed with first and then later joined 1st Ba[alion 3rd Marines, for my second tour,” Marine stated. And I wondered with my friend, why she always went to visit him before they got married and Nick said, “You can apply for leave whenever you want,” but quickly added, “that doesn't mean you'll get the ?me off but you can try!” He went onto state, “usually there are leave blocks set out by the unit to take a few weeks up to a month off to visit family. Usually happens right before and right aZer deployments. People can come visit whenever. But you don't get a day out of work to spend ?me with them. Once you’re done you are free to do as you please.” And it made me think even more, especially because I saw my friend on the other side of being in a rela?onship with a Marine. I asked Nick what type of effect this has and he said, “I will say from my personal experience, yes it can be (tough). It takes a strong man and an even stronger woman to get through deployments and long s?nts away from home. I've experienced failure and success in this area. I was in a commi[ed rela?onship that lasted from my young Marine days through my first deployment and into my second before it fell apart. But I got married awhile later to someone else and it has withstood training and deployment and is s?ll going stronger than ever. So it really is just the way each of you handle it. Not to call anyone that can't make it weak, but it really takes a certain match of people to get through it.”
We con?nuously here the stories of those whom we’ve known that have been deployed overseas. And in my perspec?ve, I s?ll envisioned it to be as seen in the movies. Marine stated, “…it's incredible. I know that might sound strange but it just it is incredible, in every horrible, fantas?c, beau?ful, primi?ve, and sophis?cated way possible.” He said so many emo?ons are built into this. “Your scared, anyone who says otherwise is a liar, but that doesn't mean you aren't ready. You know that past year plus of your life has been leading to this 7-9 month tour and you are ready to actually do your duty. My first deployment was to Nawa District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. I was on a PB (Patrol Base) called PB Flemming. It was me and maybe 20 or so other Marines.”
Marine described his small compound to have “mud walls and three rooms made of mud on one side. The younger Marines, including myself, split into squads and slept in the two ten man tents in the middle of the compound. (There were maybe) sever per tent, plus our weapons and gear. The older Marines got the mud rooms. They were cooler and there was no AC anywhere obviously so they got those.” He con?nued, “We had two large generators even though only one worked. We used it to power our radios, charge the ba[eries, charge the laptops and iPods we brought for entertainment…small stuff. There wasn't a shower or real bathrooms. We stayed clean with baby wipes and every once in awhile you could get a buddy to pour some water over you while you soaped up. We didn't want to waste a lot of water so that didn't happen oZen.”
Marine described the "outhouses” as, “a box made of plywood, no door, and a "seat,” (which was) just another piece of plywood with a hole in it. Underneath was half of a 55 gallon metal drum. Every day we had to take it out and pour jet-fuel in it, s?r it, and burn it to keep it from overfilling. We also had a piece of PVC pipe in the back corner that went out of the back of the compound and into the ground we used as a urinal type deal. It was extremely primi?ve and as horrible as it sound, and was, it really was just an intense incredible way of life for eight months that really is just like nothing else. You get to know these 20 other men unlike anyone you will ever know anyone else. You really get to know people when in this environment. You spend 24 hours a day with them for eight months straight. It's just an unreal experience that I am glad I had.”
But the truth & reality eventually does sink in. “There are bad days, good men get killed or injured,” Marine said. “You lose friends, people who have been by your side from day one. It's hard but you have to move on because you are s?ll there. There are s?ll Marines to your leZ and right coun?ng on you. I think that's the hardest part.” Some days, he said, “it might be 130 degrees, and you have been walking for four-hours carrying 90-lb plus a weapon but that's the easy part. Having to pretend life isn't happening back home is hard, losing people and s?ll having to get up for your shiZ on guard is hard. That's what gets people the most I think. It doesn't get easier either. I went on another tour thereaZer, and even though I knew it would happen, it didn't stop it from being hard.”
We really wanted to speak to Nick more about his experiences when being deployed. But we didn’t know how he would take it. For Nick, he said, “I almost welcome it; It's almost like a therapy for me. I know some people hate talking about it, and I completely understand.” However Marine did admit, “I didn't talk about it for a long ?me. Finally I talked with a friend about it and I just felt like I wasn't hiding anything. It freed me, it helped me deal with things that I did, that I'll never be able to change, that keep me up at night. I know almost nobody understands what I'm saying, they might understand my words but they didn’t live it so they don’t actually know what it feels like, but it s?ll helps.” Nick shared with us one experience being in Afghanistan, which you can read here.
“If you plan on joining the Marine Corps.,” Nick said, “the best advice I have is just roll with the punches. Strive for excellence. Respect your senior Marines and follow their example. They are where they are for a reason.”
He con?nued, “Train like you fight. Keep your head down and your sights high. You are going to have bad days but that is how you become a be[er Marine.
Marine ended with, “To anyone joining any other branch, I respect you and everything you are sacrificing for your country. You truly are what makes this country great and you are following in the footsteps of some great men and women so make them proud, even if you will never be as good as the Marine Corps.”
MISS NEW JERSEY’S OUTSTANDING TEEN Photos By: P.G. Photography
Nina Mojares is the current Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen; and she will admit, the journey wasn’t easy. “My road to Miss NJ's Outstanding Teen was an unforge[able journey. At first, I could never picture myself joining a "beauty pageant", but the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Scholarship Organiza?on celebrates scholas?c achievement, talent, and community service -- three things that I am passionate about. When I met the girls of the MNJOT Class of 2016, I was completely blown away by their mo?va?on to make a difference in their communi?es and to inspire others. While preparing for the compe??on, my mom helped me a ton because she had some experience in pageants herself. My directors helped me prepare for talent and interview, which are my two favorite categories. When compe??on night finally came, I kept telling myself to put my best foot forward because the rest was in God's hands. I also wanted to make my family proud.”
This may sound clichĂŠ, but the one piece of advice that has always worked for me is to always stay true to yourself.
-Nina on advice for the future MissNJOT
“One of the most memorable moments as NJ's OT was compe?ng for na?onals in Orlando, Florida. Mee?ng all of the girls who proudly represented their states was my favorite experience. I am s?ll very close to some of the girls that I met, and we all text each other in a group chat. Overall, na?onals was very ?ring because we had rehearsals and appearances almost every day for 10 days, but I had the best ?me! I would do it all over again if I had the chance!�
Makeup ArAst: Ashley Rice Styled By: Double Red
I hope to compete in the Miss system once my reign is over and once I get sehled into my freshman year of college. -Nina on pageants in the future
When asked about her gains as being a part of the Miss America Organiza?on, Nina stated, The MAO provided me with scholarship opportuni:es and the chance to be a spokesperson for my genera:on. Because of this organiza:on, I was able to promote my plaiorm, "Building Resilient Communi:es: Youth Empowerment" in not only my community, but also in countries like the Philippines and Honduras. I am able to inspire teens my age to take ac:on in their community and make a posi:ve dierence in the lives of others.
SHOP ONLINE: WWW.DOUBLEREDUSA.COM DOUBLE RED FACEBOOK DOUBLE RED INSTAGRAM
Travel: Isla Mujeres Photos By: P.G. Photography
The name Isla Mujeres, means "Island of the Women� in Spanish. It is about 7 kilometers long; one can travel the en?re island by ren?ng a golf cart! The island is a part of the State of Quintana Roo, in Mexico.
The name “Isla Mujeres� was given during the 16th century, a ?me when the Spanish arrived, and saw many images of goddesses.
When visi?ng the island, one can see a Maya temple, on the Southern ?p. Today, only the founda?on of the temple remains.
Carlos Torres Luna Wedding Photographer P: 787-225-2950 Visit Online: www.photographikastudio.com
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