Interview of Miss New Jersey: Julie Robenhymer
CHERRY HILL, NJ- "Why can't someday be today?"It's not a question, but a way of life for Miss New Jersey Julie Robenhymer. She lives for positive thinking and encourages people to not let failures stop them from getting what they want. The power of positive thinking may not seem like a typical platform, but teaching kids that you can turn dreams into reality is what Robenhymer does best.
"From a very young age my parents taught me to think positively. It never does any good to have negative thoughts." said Robenhymer. Her father took her to her first positive thinking seminar at the age of ten and it changed her life. "I went to this seminar about time management and positive thinking, and came out thinking "wow" what a great way to live your life."
The effect of positive thinking followed her throughout her life and career. With the support and encouragement of her mother, Robenhymer entered the Miss Burlington County Pageant. "The original goal was to get involved in dance again". A knee injury temporarily forced her to delay sports and dance. The physical challenge of dancing again was very difficult, but a task that Robenhymer needed to defeat.
Robenhymer accomplished her goal and went on to win the Miss Burlington County Pageant. She continued to compete for three years leading her to her current success of Miss New Jersey. Robenhymer was ecstatic to promote her platform especially to children. She talks to schools, newspapers, and employers about her slogan DREAM BIG which focus's on things such as tackling obstacles, defining goals, assessing the options, making commitments, and establishing plans to achieve those goals. Thinking big, Robenhymer says, "is really just believing in your self, keeping your eye on the target and going for it".
"So many people always think, someday I'll do this and someday I'll do that. My question has always been, why can't someday be today?"
Her someday not only came when she won the state title, but when she was presented with the idea of buying a dress shop. She purchased the dress shop with the support of her family, and Mullica Hill Bridal in Glassboro, NJ was born.
"Who would have thought I would own a dress shop? Not me, but the door opened and I walked through it." said Robenhymer.
Robenhymer's key element to her platform is relaying stories of how positive thinking really works in her life from her college internship to her current dress shop. Robenhymer obtained an internship at Comcast Sportsnet when she was only a sophomore, at the University of Massachusetts.
"I started pursuing my internship when I was a freshman. I wanted some experience in sports media. I walked into my advisors office and asked him for an internship and he told me to come back in a couple of years." Internships were typically set up for juniors and seniors at the time.
From that point on, a determined Robenhymer went in search of her own opportunity. She looked online and found an internship at Comcast Sportsnet. She sent in her resume and followed up with a phone call. Through her persistence and positive attitude, she single handedly convinced the intern supervisor to give her an internship for the following summer. Robenhymer gained experience in the News Department logging tapes, gathering sound bites, and participating in Public Relations events.
"When I landed that internship, I walked back into my advisors office and said "Guess what, I got an internship and I did all on my own", he looked at me like I was crazy. "But there is now a yellow folder with internship possibilities for students as determined as me in his office."
Robenhymer is living proof that positive thinking can change a person's life. She got back into dance, landed a great internship, pursued her dreams and won the prestigious title of Miss New Jersey.
"Sometimes the door opens for you, and sometimes you have to push it open yourself. Stay positive and you can turn all dreams into reality."