Semi-finalist 2017, Semi-finalist 2016
A native of Montclair, Ava Tortorici was crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA on 18 November 2018 and represented New Jersey at the Miss Teen USA 2019 pageant in Reno, Nevada. Ava was double majoring in Biology and Exercise Science at Montclair State University. She now lives in Los Angeles where she works as a model and actress.
Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2019 Ava Tortorici, 18, of Montclair, New Jersey is a freshman at Montclair State University. Ava entered the 2019 Miss New Jersey Teen USA pageant after finishing twice as a semi-finalist. She did not give up, and on her third try she fulfilled her lifelong dream of winning the title. To prepare for the pageant she spent time focusing on her goal and how to convey her personality, accomplishments and passions to the judges. She had no idea that this third time would be the charm and the final result would be the crown!
Ava follows a demanding honors schedule at Montclair State University where she is double majoring in Biology and Exercise Science while maintaining a 4.1 GPA. Her numerous accolades include being awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Award; a Proclamation by Governor Phil Murphy for outstanding achievement in the State of New Jersey; a Senate Resolution named in her honor in the State of New Jersey; the Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta Service Award for extraordinary volunteer service in her community; and the Lifetime Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Ava’s goal is to complete medical school and become one of the first female Sports Cardiologists in the U.S. and work in the NFL.
Ava is a cheerleader at her university and an avid golfer. In 2015, Ava had a near death experience following a severe asthma attack. It was life-changing. After recovering, Ava vowed to live each day to its fullest. She went on to found “Athletes With Asthma” at her University, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that raises awareness of the dangers of asthma in athletes. Ava is also a Science Scholar and an award winning speaker. She donates her time to many charities such as Catholic Athletes for Christ, CentraState Hospital, CancerCare, Relay for Life, NJ AIDS Walk, the Jersey Shore’s Clean Ocean Action, and of course Athletes With Asthma.
In her free time, Ava enjoys playing golf at Top Golf and spending quality time with her friends and family — and her pet dwarf hamster “Bootsie.” Ava is a sushi fanatic but she also enjoys visiting her family’s famous Italian restaurant “Rao’s” in Harlem, New York.
Ava believes that all dreams are within reach, all you have to do is keep moving towards them. This is what inspired her to enter the New Jersey Teen USA pageant and she continues to dream as she proudly represents New Jersey each day. As your 2019 Miss New Jersey Teen USA, Ava promises to encourage as many teenagers as she can to follow in her footsteps and live out their dreams by being the best possible version of themselves and feeling “confidently beautiful.”
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Ava’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 Ava’s previous pageant photos.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Ava’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor JaeLynn Polanco as Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2020.
Winning a state title is a sisterhood for life. Here are Ava’s “after the crown” photos.
