The day before competing for the title of Miss Colorado Teen USA 2012, sixteen year old Jacqueline Zuccherino’s grandmother reminded her of the practical advice from the gracious and elegant, Miss Audrey Hepburn, “For attractive lips…speak words of kindness; For lovely eyes…seek out the good in people; For a slim figure…share your food with the hungry; For beautiful hair…let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day; and For poise…walk with the knowledge that you’ll never walk alone.” On Sunday, October 30, 2011, Jacqueline stepped forward to accept the honor of the crown knowing she walked in the steps of 29 previous titleholders, all sharing in the glamour of the pageantry and responsibility to represent the best of youth in service to community.

When Jacqueline entered kindergarten in the USA, she spoke little English and there were no bilingual classes for Italian speakers. She lived with her grandmother, at the time and was shy and reserved. She held her own with others, having four older brothers. She was a curious child and quickly made the transition from northern Italy back to the USA, her birthplace. She became fluent in English and all things American. Once reunited with her family they moved to Colorado and fell in love with the majestic Rocky Mountains, reminiscent of the breathtaking Alps.

While attending public high school, Jacqueline consistently worked part-time in retail sales, she was a party coordinator for children’s events, and sharpened her people-skills as hostess at various local eateries. Home-schooling suited Jacqueline and her family’s life-style and she enjoyed the opportunity presented to travel with her mother to Costa Rica and Mexico to extend volunteer service to children, youth and adults who were physically and mentally challenged and lived in facilities supported through local faith-based organizations. These experiences taught her early-on that in the words of Helen Keller, “True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”

Jacqueline is a typical teenager who loves animals, particularly her tea-cup Chihuahua named Princess weighing-in at 4.5 lbs. She’s small but mighty and takes charge even in the presence of ‘Officer Durrack’, the 80 lb. police dog, part of Aurora’s finest Canine Unit. Jacqueline is also an avid football fan and never misses putting on her favorite Tebow jersey to watch a Sunday night game with her family. Daily workouts keep her fit and on her toes to compete with two of her brothers, who currently serve in the United States Marine Corps. Fitness, just like beauty may be visible externally, however, what’s inside and what you do with the raw ingredients, be it the values and thoughts that shape your inner-beauty and strength of character or using the freshest ingredients to prepare healthy great-tasting meals, Jacqueline knows it takes hard work and commitment from the inside-out to be successful. She loves to cook and currently is exploring the varied tastes and flavors of exotic and gourmet virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Her culinary inspirations are well received by friends and family, who encourage her interest in cooking.

Jacqueline entered college in the fall of 2011 and has discovered a world of inquiry and exploration that motivates her to seek a career in forensic pathology. She wants to obtain a degree in the biological sciences, then a medical degree, and complete a forensic pathology residency program. She hopes to one day serve as a coroner and assist in crime scene investigations. She couldn’t help but be influenced by her great grand parents, grandparents, parents, and brothers all with a background in the military, social service, or law enforcement. She has learned first-hand the need for and value of service to community, not only in other countries, but right here in her own back-yard. She has worked on a project to provide backpacks filled with reading and school supplies to children in shelters for domestic violence and is developing a curriculum for middle school girls, addressing the dangers of ‘relational aggression’ better known as female bullying.

As Miss Colorado Teen USA, Jacqueline looks forward to representing the hopes and dreams of Colorado’s youth and commitment to service through charitable work service to community. The evening after being awarded the title, Jacqueline’s grandmother pulled her aside and reminded her of the words of another gracious and elegant women, Maya Angelou, “The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion, and humor and style, and generosity and kindness.”

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