Katarina Lengyel of Middletown won the title of Miss New Jersey USA July 26. Lengyel received her crown from 2025 Miss New Jersey USA Ivy Harrington. COURTESY MISS USA PAGEANT
By Emily Schopfer
MIDDLETOWN – The fourth time was the charm for Katarina “Kat” Lengyel, who was crowned Miss New Jersey USA July 26. At the end of this month, she’ll head to Miami to compete for the title of Miss USA, bringing along her message of inclusion, especially in dance.
At just 25 years old, Lengyel has built quite an impressive resume. She is a former competitive dancer, holds a master’s degree in accounting from New York University, and is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Inspire Dance Team.
Now she can add Miss New Jersey USA to that list. Before winning the crown, Lengyel, of Middletown, competed three previous times in the pageant, ranking once in the Top 16 and twice as first runner-up. Lengyel said this year she was standing on the stage holding hands with the other girls, expecting first runner-up yet again.
But her name was never called, and it took her some time to realize that meant she was the winner, she said.
Lengyel said she didn’t always plan on competing for Miss New Jersey USA. She attended the University of South Florida and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in dance, but after graduating, Lengyel said she wasn’t dancing much anymore. She was used to being on a stage, so when she saw an advertisement for the Miss New Jersey USA pageant, she said she “applied on a whim.”
She initially applied “to make friends,” but after winning first runner-up her first time competing, she kept coming back. Now, in her fourth go-round, she is officially taking home the crown.
From the time she first took the stage four years ago to now, Lengyel said she has grown in so many ways. She said competing has taught her valuable life lessons, sharpened her interview and communication skills and helped her grow in confidence.
Even more, the pageant world has introduced her to an “empowering environment,” and she has met women “from all walks of life” with “different gifts.”
Although the pageant is a competition, Lengyel described it more as a sport where women connect and motivate one another. She has met “so many amazing friends who truly pushed me to become the woman I am today.”
“A lot of people believe pageants are just beauty contests, but they’re so much more than that,” Lengyel said. In addition to learning important skills, Lengyel said the pageant is about “helping other women with their community projects and being empowered to have your own.” This female empowerment is the “embodiment of the entire sport.”
Lengyel’s community project is near and dear to her heart, motivated by her personal experiences. She grew up alongside her cousin, Allie, who was born with an unbalanced chromosomal translocation, a rearrangement of a person’s chromosomes that can affect development and health. “I had opportunities available to me that Allie didn’t have,” Lengyel said.
This was a problem she knew needed fixing before pageant life was even on the table. So Lengyel took it upon herself to make those opportunities available by founding a nonprofit that offers inclusive dance programs, performance showcases and social interaction.
She launched Inspire Dance Team in October 2024 and her students opened for the Jersey Shore Dance Academy’s Christmas Show the following December. The team held its annual Spring Showcase at the Middletown Arts Center May 9. The program is “continuing to grow,” Lengyel said. The team meets on Sundays in a space donated by the Jersey Shore Dance Academy, where Lengyel used to dance competitively.
The mission behind Inspire is something Lengyel carries with her into her role as Miss New Jersey USA. Her goal for the next year of her reign is “connecting with people from all walks of life,” she said.
It’s important to Lengyel that everyone not only has a seat at the table but also knows they are always welcome.
This article originally appeared in the August 6- August 12, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
