It was an exciting first for this year's Miss Dominican Republic New Jersey pageant.
Jacqueline Czarnecki is its first-ever entrant with autism.
The 31-year-old Toms River resident placed in the top 10 on Saturday. She was the only participant with an intellectual disability.
Czarnecki stays at New Horizons and attends the day program. The staff was there to help through her entire seven-month journey.