Round of Prelim Winners Picked in Miss New Jersey Pageant

The annual Miss New Jersey Pageant began Thursday night on the Ocean City Music Pier with 23 women competing to represent the state in the annual Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas in January.

The contestants were divided into two groups -- with one competing in the evening gown and swimsuit categories. and the other competing in talent.

Thursday night's winners were:

• Talent: Katie Berry, 22, Miss Central Coast, Mount Laurel, Fordham University, ballet dance.
• Evening Gown: Jachele Velez, 20, Miss Seashore Line, Hillside, Columbia University.
• Swimsuit:  (Three-way tie) Anna Negron, 19, Miss Cape May County, Vineland, Seton Hall University; Jachele Velez, 20, Miss Seashore Line, Hillside, Columbia University; Kaitlin Davis, 23, Miss Cape Shores, Millville, Fordham University.

The pageant continues with another round of preliminary competition on and a winner crowned on .