Kaity Rodriguez Biography

Kaity Bettina Rodriguez (born August 8, 1984) is a beauty queen from Clifton, New Jersey who was Miss New Jersey USA 2009.

Biography

Early life

Kaity (pronounced kI'- tE) Rodriguez is of Afro-Puerto Rican and African-American descent. Born in New Jersey, she lived in the St. Charles area of Bishopville, South Carolina with her family for several years of her youth before moving back to New Jersey. Rodriguez graduated from Clifton High School where she was a track athlete, winning many medals and awards during her high school years. After graduation, she attended the University of South Carolina. There, she obtained her Bachelor's degree in Psychology (minor in Criminal Justice) in just three and half years, graduating Magna Cum Laude. During her time at USC, Rodriguez competed in three university pageants. Though she performed well, she never won a crown.

Rodriguez furthered her education at New York University. In 2008 she achieved her Master's degree in social work, graduating Magna Cum Laude for the second time. She now resides in Clifton, New Jersey.

Career

Rodriguez has committed to a career in social services. She has spent several years of her life working with youth and family-related programs. Currently, she is a youth group facilitator for the Passiac County Family Support Organization. Rodriguez is also very active in her church, Agape Christian Ministries in Paterson, where she has performed several duties for her community, including summer camp director and youth leader.

Rodriguez is the winner of the 2009 Miss New Jersey USA pageant held in Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. In her first run for Miss New Jersey USA in 2008, Rodriguez won a non-finalist swimsuit award. Rodriguez competed in the Miss USA 2009 pageant in Las Vegas, which aired on April 19, 2009 on NBC. She is also a guest speaker in Paterson School No.5 eighth grade graduation class of 2009.

In 2008, Rodriguez founded R.O.S.E.S. (Reaching Out Supporting Every Sister), a support group formed to professionally, spiritually, and emotionally empower women ages 18 through 25. Rodriguez is also a public speaker, generally for students, youth, and women. She shares a message called "Reaching the Dream," which focuses on goal setting, self esteem, and her "The Three Keys to Success."