And your Miss New Jersey 2014 is...

Seven words that will make the next year of one single woman's life completely different.

On Saturday night, the Miss New Jersey Education Foundation crowned Cierra Kaler-Jones as the next Miss New Jersey.

Every seat in the The Ocean City Music Pier was filled with former Miss New Jerseys, some who aspire to be Miss New Jersey, friends, family, directors and fans of the Miss New Jersey Education Foundation. Each member of the audience rooting on all of the 24 contestants who made it past the local level to compete for the state title.

Kaler-Jones, a 21-year-old Galloway resident, won the judges over with her platform of "Empowering Today's Youth Through Arts" and her dance to Beyonce's "Listen."

Kaler-Jones has competed in the Miss New Jersey three times prior to Saturday night and said she wanted to give up after placing in the top 5 during last year's pageant.

"Last year I made third-runner up, I said I made top 5, I'm fine I don't need to compete again. My parents said they wanted to me to give it one more shot," Kaler-Jones said. "I'm so glad they did."

Kaler-Jones is a Rutgers University student who started competing at 17 years old, and she is also a first-generation college student in her family. She said she's grown as a person during these years of competing.

"I'm a trendsetter, being someone who does things no one else has done and that has given me a lot of confidence," she said. "It's made me learn about my self-identity

As the top five were being narrowed down to the final one, the audience grew quiet as the six judges chose who they believed would represent New Jersey.

"After seeing so many Miss New Jerseys pass through and being friends with so many that were crowned it's just such an honor and privilege to be in the position right now," she said.

Sally Johnston, a Co-Executive Director of the pageant said she believed the judges made the right choice.

Kaler-Jones will be heading to Atlantic City in a few months to compete against the other state contestants for the title of Miss America.

"I'm really excited to meet the other contestants," she said. The 21-year-old has never been do the pageant, but she says she watches it every year.

"I will be ready," she added."I still don't feel that it's real."

Anna Negron, a Vineland resident, who competed in the pageant as Miss Central Coast, is one of Kaler-Jones' very close friends and said she couldn't be happier for her.

"I didn't matter that I didn't make the top 10 because I get to see her succeed," Negron said. Negron was grinning for her friend and said she absolutely would be heading to Miss America to support her.

She said she isn't sad at all she didn't place, she pointed to her friend who was taking pictures in her new crown and sash, and said, "I got to see her win so no I'm not sad."

Brenna Weick, a Mantua resident with the title of Miss Seashore Line, took the first-runner up. She stood on stage holding Kaler-Jones' hand as the announcement was about to be made.

"Once I made the top 5 I was hoping I wouldn't have any regrets from last year, and I didn't," Weick said. The 20-year-old made it to this stage last year, and placed the same but she said she is ready to start working and make it back to the stage for a third year.

Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri told each of the contestants they are winners even if they didn't win the crown.

"You'll always be the Miss Americas in the hearts of your communities and the people you inspire," she said.

"I'm so inspired by the contestants," Kaler-Jones said.

The winner of the pageant takes home scholarship money, totaling more than $12,000 as well as donated prizes from sponsors. All the contestants receive prizes as well, and during the awards given out each girl is able to take home some scholarship money.

The top 10 was narrowed down by the judges before giving out awards.

The overall parade winner was Devon Vanderslice, Miss Eastern Shores. She also won the Miss Congeniality award, voted by the contestants.

The New Jersey Photogenic went to Miss Cumberland County Kellie Santoro.

The People's Choice Award went to Miss Ramapo Valley Alyssa Clements.

The fourth-runner up was Miss Columbus Day Lindsey Giannini, a Hammonton resident.

Third runner up was Vanderslice, an Ocean City native.

Miss Southern Counties, Vineland resident Sandra Okuboyejo, was named second-runner up.

Miss Seashore Line Brenna Weick, a Mantua resident took first-runner up.

Miss America takes place Sept. 9-14 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

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Contact staff writer Kristina Pritchett at 856-686-3655 or kpritchett@southjerseymedia.com