With jobs as a senior editor of a literary magazine, a producer of independent films, a freelance operator for a cable company, and a certification as a personal trainer, you would think that Jenna Kildosher of Bayonne has no goals left to conquer.
But with the drive and initiative that she possesses, you would be wrong.
Kildosher, born, raised, and still living in Bayonne, has at least one, maybe two, more mountains to climb – and that’s just this year. The reigning Miss New Jersey US International 2015 has her sights set on winning her pageant’s national title on June 25 in Orlando, Fla. If she’s successful, it’s on to Japan in November for a shot at the international prize.
Kildosher, 25, was named Miss New Jersey US International 2015 in a ceremony on April 19.
During her reign she hopes to spread her passion for the arts and health and inspire other women to set and achieve their goals.
“Being Miss New Jersey means that I get to do everything I’m passionate about, performances, community outreach,” Kildosher said. “Also I’m a personal trainer. In college, I majored in community health. So to be able to help the community, to be a part of it that way, is important.”
But competing in beauty pageants is nothing new for Kildosher. She previously competed in Miss New Jersey USA where she was awarded Best in Interview.
Kildosher explained that her pageant is one of four competition systems in the United States. One is the Miss USA Pageant, run by Donald Trump, which is a model competition. There is the Miss America Pageant, with a strong emphasis on talent. The Miss US International competition falls in the middle, with evening gown and swimsuit portions, but also a strong emphasis on education, with two personal questions asked of contestants onstage. This follows an interview to gain entry to the pageant.
Kildosher’s two questions were, what she was most passionate about and what she considers her greatest accomplishment. Both her answers centered on her successes in writing and performing. She talked about being senior literature editor of Instigatorzine, an international art and literary magazine that is read and appreciated around the world.
She also fared well in the two other competitions. For the evening gown portion, she wore a gold dress with a sweetheart neckline and rhinestones. In the swimsuit section, Kildosher wore a one-piece, silver bathing suit, also with rhinestones.
National aspirations
She has about three weeks until the final in Florida.
“Being Miss New Jersey means that I get to do everything I’m passionate about, performances, community outreach.” – Jenna Kildosher
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“I’m excited about it. I’m a little nervous since I never competed on a national level before,” Kildosher said. “I look forward to it, to meeting the other girls from different states.”
Winning the title of Miss US International would cap a great first half of 2015 for Kildosher.
“If I win national that would be more than I ever dreamed of,” she said. “It would be a dream come true; to be on the national scene and in the public eye, to do more than I can even do now.”
Renaissance woman
Kildosher produces, writes, and acts in small independent films. Some of her shorts have been featured at online sites.
She is currently starring in a feature film from Narrow Bridge Films. She also works as a freelance master control operator for Comcast.
To qualify as a certified personal trainer, she received her degree in Community Health from New Jersey City University in Jersey City.
Kildosher, who visited Mayor James Davis in mid-May, said that as part of her Miss New Jersey initiatives she will be working on arts and music programs with the city, including the summer concert series held at DiDomenico/16th Street Park.
Kildosher is a graduate of Washington Community School and Bayonne High School.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com.