Oceanport Teen Crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2016

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Gina Mellish, 16, of Oceanport was crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2016 in the final round of competition held at the Hilton Parsippany Hotel on Oct. 18. This was her second time competing in the USA pageant system where she placed third runner-up last year. She has now earned the right to represent the Garden State in the Miss Teen USA national pageant to be announced at a later date.
Gina, born and raised in Oceanport, 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, president of the Fashion Club and a member of the varsity volleyball team.
When she is not a student-athlete, Gina is a part-time model and has been in the modeling industry for five years. She began her career at the Barbizon School of Modeling and Professional Development in Red Bank and has gained extensive experience in runway, showroom and print modeling.
Gina has volunteered her time for the past five years to Toys for Tots collecting donated toys at Christmas for needy families. Other organizations benefiting from her efforts have been the Make A Wish Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the USO and the Alexander Munoz Memorial Fund.
Gina hopes to begin her college education next year in the fashion industry and to eventually become the director of public relations for a major international fashion house. Until then, she hopes to enjoy as many experiences as she can this year as Miss New Jersey Teen USA, focus on getting ready for the national pageant and use her crown to inspire and help others.