10/21/2026
👑THE CROWN, THE MEMORIES, THE SISTERHOOD… AND OH, WHAT A JOURNEY!
Well, ladies and gentlemen, the gowns are packed, the heels are OFF, the lashes have come off (THANK GOODNESS! 😂), and this Jersey Queen is STILL smiling!
What an unforgettable journey from "Ms. New Jersey Senior America 2026" to the National Ms. Senior America Pageant! My heart is overflowing with gratitude, joy, and memories I will treasure forever.
First, CONGRATULATIONS to our newly crowned Ms. Senior America 2026, Debbi Miller, and her beautiful, talented Court!** Wishing you ladies a magnificent reign filled with purpose, joy, and unforgettable moments! ❤️
Although I didn't bring home the National crown, I am incredibly proud and humbled to have placed in the TOP 12 among 46 AMAZING contestants! And receiving SECOND PLACE in the National Community Service Award was especially meaningful because service has always been at the heart of who I am. A crown is beautiful, but what we DO with it is what truly matters.❤️
And let's be clear, I certainly didn't come home empty-handed! I brought home two wonderful honors, priceless memories, new friendships, and a heart overflowing with gratitude. Besides, I am still MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2026, and trust me, she and I have plenty of work left to do! ❤️ 👑
TO THE INCREDIBLE NATIONAL PAGEANT TEAM… TAKE A BOW!
Denise Russo-Caiazzo, Floyd Caiazzo, Marice Kunz, Kat Fanelli, and the AMAZING stage, wardrobe, and behind-the-scenes teams, BRAVO! BRAVO!
What a SPECTACULAR production! The countless hours, dedication, attention to detail, and genuine care you poured into making this experience unforgettable did not go unnoticed. You managed to make 46 women feel like Queens while somehow keeping us all moving in the SAME direction! Now THAT deserves a standing ovation! You mastered the art of being gentle yet firm, patient yet persistent, and always encouraging, even when Ms. New Jersey was probably still searching for an earring, a shoe, or her last nerve! Thank you for the magic you created, the memories you gave us, and the love you showed along the way. You didn't simply produce a pageant. You created an experience we will carry in our hearts forever! ❤️
TO MY MS NJ SENIOR AMERICA VILLAGE… MY FOUNDATION, MY CHEERLEADERS, MY HEART!
Johanne, Terry, JoAnn, Denise, Sherri, Carolyn, Lenore, Josephine, my amazing Court (Dale, Suzanne, and Toni), my fellow 2026 contestants, and ALL my fabulous Cameo Club SASH Sisters, WHERE WOULD THIS QUEEN BE WITHOUT YOU?! ❤️
From the very beginning, you wrapped your arms around me with encouragement, wisdom, laughter, and unwavering support. You celebrated my victories, calmed my nerves, shared your golden nuggets, and reminded me that I never had to walk this journey alone. And believe me, between the gowns, rehearsals, butterflies, and occasional moments of sheer panic, this Queen needed her village! You didn't just help me prepare for the National stage. You helped me believe I belonged on it. That's a gift I will never forget. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, apparently it takes an EXTRAORDINARY village to RAISE A QUEEN! I may be the one wearing the crown, but each of you holds a special place in my heart and in this reign. Thank you for being MY VILLAGE!❤️
TO MY JERSEY CITY AND HUDSON COUNTY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES!
Your prayers, encouragement, well wishes, and priceless golden nuggets of wisdom traveled with me onto that National stage. As the first woman from Jersey City and Hudson County crowned Ms. NJ Senior America, I knew I was representing something bigger than myself. I WAS JERSEY STRONG!
I gave that stage everything I had, with dignity, grace, confidence, and just enough Jersey attitude! After all, you can put a crown on this Jersey girl, but you can't take the Jersey out of the Queen! I sincerely hope I made you proud. You helped me make history, and I will never take your love and support for granted. FROM THIS JERSEY GIRL'S HEART TO YOURS, THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME! ❤️
TO MY SISTER, THIS ONE COMES STRAIGHT FROM MY HEART!
Through hell or high water, you made sure you were there cheering me on and proudly representing the JETTER family! It takes A LOT to render me speechless (and we KNOW that's practically a miracle!), but KUDOS! You did exactly that! Your presence gave me the confidence to stand tall and sashay across that stage like I was walking a Paris runway. Watching you and Linden over the years 😂😂 certainly paid off. After all, imitation IS the highest form of flattery! But beneath all that glamour, I was simply your sister, grateful beyond words that you showed up for me. That meant more than any crown ever could. Thank you Kellie ❤️
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to Rochelle Hoffman, the BEST PR person a Queen could ever ask for! You are a gem, and I appreciate you more than words can express. Looking forward to working with you to keep "SENIORS ON THE MOVE!"™ ❤️
And to David Sabella, my AMAZING talent coach, thank you for your guidance, patience, and for helping me find even more confidence in my voice. We've got some more work to do!!! You are extraordinary!
TO MY NEW SASH SISTERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY!
What extraordinary women you are! Dynamic, accomplished, talented, and inspiring. You reminded me that life after 60 isn't about slowing down or becoming invisible. Quite the contrary! Sometimes, that's when we REALLY turn up the lights! ❤️
My only complaint about this entire experience.. IT ALL WENT BY TOO QUICKLY!
Every day, something suddenly pops into my mind. A conversation, a funny backstage moment, a new friendship, or a memory from either the State or National Pageant. And there I go again, smiling, chuckling, or getting butterflies! What I treasure most are the relationships I've begun building with women I might never have met otherwise. I look forward to carrying those friendships, lessons, and memories into my next chapter.
And speaking of chapters…
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THIS 2026 NEW JERSEY QUEEN! 👑..I'm not finished growing, giving, learning, laughing, or making a little noise! After all, "THE BEST HAS YET TO COME!"
AND Ladies, remember:
We are not aging… we are EVOLVING! Because "Age is only a number, and OURS is unlisted!"™
With a grateful heart and lots of love,
Jacqueline Jetter 👑
Ms. New Jersey Senior America 2026
P.S.
Please forgive the occasional pauses in my video! Your Queen was EXHAUSTED! I literally booked myself into a hotel for TWO DAYS just to decompress! No rehearsals, no schedules, no heels, and absolutely NOBODY shouting, "Queens, places, please!" 🤣
And yes, I am STILL recovering. But would I do it all over again? IN A HEARTBEAT! ❤️
