A native of Oceanport, Gina Mellish was crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA on 18 October 2015 and represented New Jersey at the Miss Teen USA 2016 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gina helped to raise thousands of dollars for victims of Hurricane Sandy as part of her school’s Fashion Club. After winning Miss New Jersey USA 2020 and making the top 10 at Miss USA she launched her own jewelry business, “Gina the Brand”.
Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2016 Gina Mellish, born and raised in Oceanport, New Jersey, is an actively involved senior at Red Bank Catholic High School. She has many leadership roles both academically and in athletics. Gina is an Ambassador at her high school and the President of the Fashion Club. Her club helped to raise thousands of dollars for victims of Hurricane Sandy and the Make A Wish Foundation.
She is also active in the RBC Catholic Athletes for Christ Club as well as the Make a Wish Club. She helps to organize an annual carnival for the Make A Wish Organization. As an athlete, Gina has earned her varsity letter in volleyball and helped her team become Shore Conference Champions three years in a row.
When she is not a student-athlete, Gina is a part-time model and has been in the modeling industry for 5 years. She began her career at Barbizon and has gained extensive experience in both runway and print modeling. Gina currently works as a Prom Stylist and Bridal Consultant and has worked in an international designer showroom in NYC helping buyers choose their inventory.
While still in high school Gina completed a college level Fashion Merchandising Course at Marist College. She also has gained social media marketing experience which she hopes will help her in her aspiration to one day be the Director of Public Relations for an international fashion house. Gina has plans of pursuing her modeling career throughout the future, as well as a career in television and film.
Gina has volunteered her time for the past 5 years to Toys for Tots collecting donated toys at Christmas for needy families. Other organizations benefiting from her efforts have been:
She is also very active in Breast and Ovarian Cancer Awareness as her grandmother continues to persevere through her own personal battle.
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Gina’s state pageant photos.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
There’s nothing better than watching a contestant progress from year to year! Here’s a look back at Gina’s previous pageant photos.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Gina’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor Briahna Reinstein as Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2017.
Winning a state title is a sisterhood for life. Here are Gina’s “after the crown” photos.
