Miss New Jersey USA and Teen USA contestant photos are posted here. As is usual in New Jersey we have a really strong mix of past runners-up and newcomers in this year's competition - including some contestants who have competed more than five times in NJ or other states.
Miss
Returning runners-up from 2015 are Vanessa Contreras (first runner-up) and Alexandra Lakhman (fourth runner-up). Alexandra is one of a number of past Teen runners-up in this year's competition: Chhavi Verg (4RU 2015), Rachel Mahalow (4RU 2014), Juliette Gabriel (2RU 2013, 1RU 2012, 2RU 2011), Jessielyn Palumbo (3RU 2010, 1RU 2011; also a Miss runner-up in 2012 & 2013) and Samantha Levy (1RU 2010, 4RU 2011; also a Miss non-finalist the past two years). Alana Lauro, a runner-up twice in Rhode Island, who last competed in 2012, is competing in New Jersey for the first time and her last shot at a Miss USA state title before she ages out.
2015 semi-finalists who are back this year are Angie Abdelrehim, AliciaMarie Blanks, Jessielynn Palumbo, Karina Ramirez, Jordan Rector, and Kendall Zoppa.
Alana is one of a number of contestants who have competed in other states. The list also includes Jordan Rector (Iowa), Nikki Doerr (Maryland; but also a past NJ Teen semi-finalist), and Marissa Barkey, who was a semi-finalist in Vermont last year, New Jersey in 2012 and Illinois in 2011.
Anyone else disappointed that Katherine Gaal isn't competing this year?
Fun fact: in NJ they haven't crowned a blonde since ... well forever! At least since 2000 - Erin Abrahamson represented them at Miss USA 2007 but wasn't the original winner. Will that change this year? I'd say with Katherine not in the mix, Jordan Rector and Chey Forbes are the most likely candidates for a blonde win.
2015 semi-finalists who are back this year are Angie Abdelrehim, AliciaMarie Blanks, Jessielynn Palumbo, Karina Ramirez, Jordan Rector, and Kendall Zoppa.
Alana is one of a number of contestants who have competed in other states. The list also includes Jordan Rector (Iowa), Nikki Doerr (Maryland; but also a past NJ Teen semi-finalist), and Marissa Barkey, who was a semi-finalist in Vermont last year, New Jersey in 2012 and Illinois in 2011.
Anyone else disappointed that Katherine Gaal isn't competing this year?
Fun fact: in NJ they haven't crowned a blonde since ... well forever! At least since 2000 - Erin Abrahamson represented them at Miss USA 2007 but wasn't the original winner. Will that change this year? I'd say with Katherine not in the mix, Jordan Rector and Chey Forbes are the most likely candidates for a blonde win.
Contestants mentioned above & a few more who caught my eye | Vanessa Contreras, Alexandra Lakhman, Jessielynn Palumbo, Chhavi Verg, Rachel Mahalow, Juliette Gabriel, Samantha Levy, Alana Lauro, Angie Abdelrehim, AliciaMarie Blanks, Karina Ramirez, Jordan Rector, Kendall Zoppa, Marissa Barkey, Nikki Doerr, Devon Bry, Keliann DeCarlo, Cheyenne Forbes, Amanda Pierce, Michelle Torres
Teen
In addition to Chhavi Verg competing in the Miss competition this year, the other three Teen runners-up from last year are all competing again as well. I'm particularly happy to see Lauren O'Brien back - after 2RU placements in both 2014 & 2015, can she take out the win for 2016? The other runners-up - Shannon Thaler (1RU) and Gina Mellish (3RU) will give her some stiff competition though.
Returning semi-finalists are Chioma Ikpe, Micaela Semanchik and two-time Photogenic winner Isabelle Vargas.
Returning semi-finalists are Chioma Ikpe, Micaela Semanchik and two-time Photogenic winner Isabelle Vargas.
Contestants mentioned above & a few more who caught my eye | Shannon Thaler, Lauren O'Brien, Gina Mellish, Chioma Ikpe, Micaela Semanchik, Isabelle Vargas, Brianna Handal, Madelyn Malik, Julianna Rankel, Leyla Rosario
Past Top Fives
* denotes contestant is competing in MIss this year | ^ denotes contestant is competing in Teen
Contestants
MISS NEW JERSEY USA (83)
Angie Abdelrehim (SF 15, NF 13)
Zena Aldabagh
Jacqueline Algarra
Razana Angel (NF 15)
Alexandra Badalamenti
Marissa Barkey (SF VT USA 14, SF NJ USA 12, SF IL USA 11)
Samantha Barry (NF NJ TUSA 13)
Michelle Bischoff
AliciaMarie Blanks (SF 15, NF 14, NF 13, NF NJ TUSA 09)
Devon Bry
Vanita Budhan
Stephany Cabrera
Nihara Chakrala (NF 14)
Natalie Chambers
Kandice Chavous (NF 15)
Kaitlyn Chillari
Vanessa Contreras (1RU 15)
Julia Contreras
Daniella Daly
Pranvera Dauti
Courtney de Waal Malefyt
Kelliann DeCarlo (NF 15)
Dorothy DelleDonna (NF 15)
Nikki Doerr (SF MD USA 15, SF NJ USA 11)
Kimberly Dzema
Deanna Flanagan
Cheyenne Forbes
Juliette Gabriel (2RU NJ USA 13, 1RU 12, 2RU 11)
Endolina Gerbeshi
Jenna Griscom
Jessica Guidetti
Karolina Gujska
Brittany Hansen
Veronica Harwood
Jaime Hickey
Tringa Hoti
Carolyn Jacobus
Rachel Kasztan (SF NJ TUSA 14)
Hillary Kayser
Paulina Kopec
Kimberly Kravitz
Alexandra Lakhman (4RU 15, 1RU NJ TUSA 14)
Samantha LaScala
Alana Lauro (4RU RI USA 12, 2RU RI USA 11, SF RI USA 10, SF RI TUSA 07)
Samantha Levy (NF 15, NF 14, 4RU NJ TUSA 11, 1RU 10, NF 09, NF 08)
Kristine Listwan
Rachel Mahalow (4RU NJ TUSA 14)
Annelise Malgieri
Meghan Manaut
Maria Marinaro
Krishna Martes
Larissa Martinez (NF 15)
Hillary McDonald
Karina Morel
Camila Ochoteco
Chelsea Orcutt
Jessielyn Palumbo (SF 15, 3RU 13, 3RU 12, 1RU NJ TUSA 11, 3RU NJ TUSA 10)
Alexa Pantaleo
Brittany Patane (NF 15)
Nicole Patel
Amanda Pierce
Karina Ramirez (SF 15)
Jordan Rector (SF 15, SF 14, NF IA USA 12, NF IA USA 10, NF 09)
Cecily Ridgeway
Dayanara Rodriguez
Christin Rossano
Samantha Rossi
Brittany Russo (NF NJ TUSA 12)
Amanda Saez (NF 15, NF NJ TUSA 14)
Ina San Buenaventura
Kayla Santiago
Somya Sharma
Suchitra Singh
Zuleika Soler
Ashley Spear
Kathleen Torres
Michelle Torres
Giana Tucci
Melinda Veillard
Angelica Velez
Chhavi Verg (4RU NJ TUSA 15)
Anna Yasuoka
Kendall Zoppa (SF 15, SF 14)
MISS NEW JERSEY TEEN USA (82)
Alyssa Ariemma
Grace Barnett
Tasha Bethea
Dayna Bier
Jade Borges
Danielle Breen
Heather Briody
Taylor Brisbane
Sibel Cengiz
Marisol Colin
Kaitlin Crombie
Jailene Cruz
Aja' Davis
Kristina de Mora (NF 14)
Anna-Maria de Oliveira (NF 15)
Mila DeGregorio
Ashley Dias
Samantha Eberle
Mazzy Eckel (NF 15)
Shema'yah El
Claudia Engelhardt
Sarah Fedak (NF 15)
Christina Fuehrer
Wideline Georges
Brianna Handal
Kathryn Hanson
Sydney Harley
Jenna Huelbig
Chioma Ikpe (SF 15)
Elana Israeli
Kayli James
Imani Johnson
Angel Jones (NF 15)
Samantha LaRochelle
Nicole Lattarulo
Brianna Lopez
Angelina Lorenzo
Samantha Lugo
Madelyn Malik
Erin McAleer
Dajai' McClellan
Gina Mellish (3RU 15)
Kristen Meyers
Faith Morris
Cassandra Mountney
Sandra Mucha
Lauren O'Brien (2RU 15, 2RU 14)
Melanie Oliva
Carlye Paskow
Neha Pasupuleti
Bryana Payne
Marie Pepe
Lizmary Perez (NF 15, NF 14)
Jacqueline Pettit
Alexandra Pollera
Morgan Price
Alyssa Prince
Julianna Rankel
Diana Ravelo
Chyna Robinson
Leyla Rosario
Alexa Ruh
Aileen Ruiz
Vanessa Saiboo
Gianna Scheskowsky
Micaela Semanchik (SF 15)
Engy Shaaban
Samantha Sheng
Nina Sica
Tatianna Sims
Katie Sour
Kayla Stabile
Sarah Tavarez
Shannon Thaler (1RU 15)
Harley Tice
Ava Tortorici
Caleigh VanDerVeer
Isabelle Varga (SF 15, SF 14, NF 13)
Alexis Wack
Khyia Ward
Eddia Watts
Jordan Worthy
Angie Abdelrehim (SF 15, NF 13)
Zena Aldabagh
Jacqueline Algarra
Razana Angel (NF 15)
Alexandra Badalamenti
Marissa Barkey (SF VT USA 14, SF NJ USA 12, SF IL USA 11)
Samantha Barry (NF NJ TUSA 13)
Michelle Bischoff
AliciaMarie Blanks (SF 15, NF 14, NF 13, NF NJ TUSA 09)
Devon Bry
Vanita Budhan
Stephany Cabrera
Nihara Chakrala (NF 14)
Natalie Chambers
Kandice Chavous (NF 15)
Kaitlyn Chillari
Vanessa Contreras (1RU 15)
Julia Contreras
Daniella Daly
Pranvera Dauti
Courtney de Waal Malefyt
Kelliann DeCarlo (NF 15)
Dorothy DelleDonna (NF 15)
Nikki Doerr (SF MD USA 15, SF NJ USA 11)
Kimberly Dzema
Deanna Flanagan
Cheyenne Forbes
Juliette Gabriel (2RU NJ USA 13, 1RU 12, 2RU 11)
Endolina Gerbeshi
Jenna Griscom
Jessica Guidetti
Karolina Gujska
Brittany Hansen
Veronica Harwood
Jaime Hickey
Tringa Hoti
Carolyn Jacobus
Rachel Kasztan (SF NJ TUSA 14)
Hillary Kayser
Paulina Kopec
Kimberly Kravitz
Alexandra Lakhman (4RU 15, 1RU NJ TUSA 14)
Samantha LaScala
Alana Lauro (4RU RI USA 12, 2RU RI USA 11, SF RI USA 10, SF RI TUSA 07)
Samantha Levy (NF 15, NF 14, 4RU NJ TUSA 11, 1RU 10, NF 09, NF 08)
Kristine Listwan
Rachel Mahalow (4RU NJ TUSA 14)
Annelise Malgieri
Meghan Manaut
Maria Marinaro
Krishna Martes
Larissa Martinez (NF 15)
Hillary McDonald
Karina Morel
Camila Ochoteco
Chelsea Orcutt
Jessielyn Palumbo (SF 15, 3RU 13, 3RU 12, 1RU NJ TUSA 11, 3RU NJ TUSA 10)
Alexa Pantaleo
Brittany Patane (NF 15)
Nicole Patel
Amanda Pierce
Karina Ramirez (SF 15)
Jordan Rector (SF 15, SF 14, NF IA USA 12, NF IA USA 10, NF 09)
Cecily Ridgeway
Dayanara Rodriguez
Christin Rossano
Samantha Rossi
Brittany Russo (NF NJ TUSA 12)
Amanda Saez (NF 15, NF NJ TUSA 14)
Ina San Buenaventura
Kayla Santiago
Somya Sharma
Suchitra Singh
Zuleika Soler
Ashley Spear
Kathleen Torres
Michelle Torres
Giana Tucci
Melinda Veillard
Angelica Velez
Chhavi Verg (4RU NJ TUSA 15)
Anna Yasuoka
Kendall Zoppa (SF 15, SF 14)
MISS NEW JERSEY TEEN USA (82)
Alyssa Ariemma
Grace Barnett
Tasha Bethea
Dayna Bier
Jade Borges
Danielle Breen
Heather Briody
Taylor Brisbane
Sibel Cengiz
Marisol Colin
Kaitlin Crombie
Jailene Cruz
Aja' Davis
Kristina de Mora (NF 14)
Anna-Maria de Oliveira (NF 15)
Mila DeGregorio
Ashley Dias
Samantha Eberle
Mazzy Eckel (NF 15)
Shema'yah El
Claudia Engelhardt
Sarah Fedak (NF 15)
Christina Fuehrer
Wideline Georges
Brianna Handal
Kathryn Hanson
Sydney Harley
Jenna Huelbig
Chioma Ikpe (SF 15)
Elana Israeli
Kayli James
Imani Johnson
Angel Jones (NF 15)
Samantha LaRochelle
Nicole Lattarulo
Brianna Lopez
Angelina Lorenzo
Samantha Lugo
Madelyn Malik
Erin McAleer
Dajai' McClellan
Gina Mellish (3RU 15)
Kristen Meyers
Faith Morris
Cassandra Mountney
Sandra Mucha
Lauren O'Brien (2RU 15, 2RU 14)
Melanie Oliva
Carlye Paskow
Neha Pasupuleti
Bryana Payne
Marie Pepe
Lizmary Perez (NF 15, NF 14)
Jacqueline Pettit
Alexandra Pollera
Morgan Price
Alyssa Prince
Julianna Rankel
Diana Ravelo
Chyna Robinson
Leyla Rosario
Alexa Ruh
Aileen Ruiz
Vanessa Saiboo
Gianna Scheskowsky
Micaela Semanchik (SF 15)
Engy Shaaban
Samantha Sheng
Nina Sica
Tatianna Sims
Katie Sour
Kayla Stabile
Sarah Tavarez
Shannon Thaler (1RU 15)
Harley Tice
Ava Tortorici
Caleigh VanDerVeer
Isabelle Varga (SF 15, SF 14, NF 13)
Alexis Wack
Khyia Ward
Eddia Watts
Jordan Worthy
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