Local beauty queen honored at town Hall

WEST MILFORD - Performing on stage since she was three years old, a poised winner of the “Miss American Teen 2019” crown at the Miss American Coed Pageant, returned to her hometown for recognition at the Dec. 5 Township Council meeting.
Kriszta Hajek, daughter of Eva and Ted Hajek Jr. of Upper Greenwood Lake, was the winner of the contest at the Orlando Hilton Lake Buena Vista Hotel in Florida on Nov. 24.
Hajek also competed in several optional competitions and won both the Photogenic and Supermodel titles, and placed as one of the Top five people in Fitness Wear and Fashion Modeling.
Hajek, now 17, competed in her first pageant in 2014.
A senior at Morris Catholic High School in Denville, Hajek told Mayor Michele Dale she thinks it is very important for teenagers to become involved in activities and making a difference in other people’s lives.
“If you love a sport, take time to coach younger kids or learn to be a referee,” Hajek said during the meeting. “If you’re smart, help your peers do better by volunteering as a tutor. If someone in school is upset, take the time to listen. Your smile can change a person’s day.”
She challenged everyone at the meeting to do one small thing each day to help change someone’s day for the better.
A member of her high school’s 2019 graduation class, Hajek plans to pursue a degree in Theater: Production and Design, with a concentration on Theatrical Make-Up and Prosthetic Design in September 2019.
She has assisted with hair and makeup for various community theater productions since she was in middle school and now is head of hair and makeup for her high school’s Performing Arts Department.
A member of the French Club, she was inducted into the International Thespian Society and is an Honors Thespian and a Drama Club officer.
She is also part of a select group currently rehearsing for a concert at Lincoln Center in February 2019 with the Broadway cast of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Hajek was named 2018-2019 captain of her high school Varsity Fencing Team after being named Team Lead in her sophomore and junior years.
She has also served as a student ambassador, and was selected this year by the dean of students to be part of the Student Leadership Council of the school.
Hajek earned three varsity letters in cheerleading after cheering for West Milford teams during her middle school years.
An anti-bullying advocate and founding member of the Venture Crew in West Milford, as well as the Morris Catholic chapter of the anti-bullying Youth Empowering Students Club, she has logged many hours of community service.
She focused on raising funds to help Operation Smile during the past few years and volunteered at Time Tebow’s annual Night to Shine Prom.
She is also a Christine Doctrine teacher at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church and was in the church Children’s Choir for many years.