by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ — Lindsey Giannini, crowned Miss New Jersey 2015 in June, will visit the winner’s circle at the Meadowlands on Saturday night (July 25) to present the trophy to the winner of the Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey for 3-year-old New Jersey-sired pacing fillies.

Lindsey Giannini

Giannini, 21, from Hammonton, N.J., continues a tradition of pageant winners meeting their equine counterpart at the Meadowlands.

The $100,000 Miss New Jersey shares the program with the $200,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic for 3-year-old New Jersey-sired pacing colts. Both events are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.

A junior at Rowan University, Giannini is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, with hopes of becoming a sports reporter. She has said that her dream job would be as a NASCAR pit reporter.

But first she will compete for the title of Miss America on Sept. 13 in Atlantic City.

Giannini’s platform is the dangers of distracted driving. She has helped to install permanent street signs that raise awareness of the issue. She said the signs are in 25 states and that she testified before the legislature and municipalities.

“If I can save one life, or get one teen to put the phone down because of the work that I’m doing, then everything I will do this year will be worth it,” Giannini said.