‘I couldn’t believe it’

Skylar MacDonald may just be 9 years old, but she has proven that hard work, heart, and personality can truly shine on stage.

On Aug. 9, at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, Skylar was crowned the 2025 National American Miss New Jersey Jr. Pre-Teen Queen, earning the crown, banner, and trophy after three years of competing.

The daughter of Krista Ashworth and bonus daughter of James Tannenhaus, Skylar didn’t just walk away with the state title; she also claimed an impressive list of awards, including first runner-up for Miss Personality, Best Resume, Photogenic, Dream Model, Actress, Runway, Spokesmodel, Fun Fitness, and more.

Now, Skylar will represent New Jersey on the national stage this Thanksgiving week in Orlando, Florida.

For Skylar, the moment her name was called was one she will never forget.

“It was crazy and I couldn’t believe it,” she recalled. “I ran up there and started crying. That was my third year and I was so proud of myself.”

While she values each award, one stands out the most.

“Spokesmodel, because I get to talk about myself and show off my personality,” she explained.

Beyond pageantry, Skylar keeps a busy schedule filled with singing, acting, gymnastics, cheerleading, and community volunteering.

“We have so much planned for the next few months, so it is a lot for me and my mom,” she pointed out. “We have to go to food pantries, animal shelters, and I volunteer at a nursing home.”

Two causes close to her heart have become her platforms: Skylar’s Smile Stones, where she paints and distributes stones to brighten people’s days, and Band Together Against Domestic Violence and Assault, which raises awareness for the cause.

“Band Together is very personal to me,” she said, adding “with Skylar’s Smile Stones, I want to make people’s day and have them smile.”

For her mother, Krista Ashworth, the pageant victory was just as emotional.

“It was very shocking, and it was incredible seeing her growing confidence in the last few years,” Ashworth said. “As you can see, she has so much confidence in the way she speaks and her personality, so as a mother, it is very inspiring and exciting to see.”

Ashworth and Tannenhaus focus on balance when it comes to supporting Skylar’s dreams.

“We have our days,” Ashworth admits. “We try to find a balance where I see she’s coming to a point where she needs a break and needs to walk away,”

“We don’t put too much pressure. She loves it and always wants to make herself better, so she’ll come and say, ‘Can we work on this?’”

The entire family, Ashworth added, has rallied behind Skylar’s journey.

“All of our vacations are centered around her, so we make sure we have family time,” she said “It’s not all about the competition; it’s about having fun, making friends, and making memories. We always tell her to go out there and have fun.”

Skylar’s passion for volunteering started long before pageants.

“She has always been big on volunteering, especially helping the homeless,” Ashworth recalled. “She has been doing it since she was 3. On Valentine’s Day, she would make little goody bags and give them out. Going into pageantry gave her a bigger platform to expand on her volunteer work.

“She can get her causes out there, and it really spread around New Jersey.”

As she prepares for Orlando this November, Skylar says she’s focused on staying true to herself.

“Bring the personality and make new friends,” she said with excitement.

When asked how she celebrated her state win, Skylar amuses, “After the pageant, we go to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate, and I love their rolls.”

For others looking to follow in her footsteps, her advice is simple but heartfelt: “Be yourself and have fun.”