South Jersey Woman Takes Home Miss New Jersey 2018 Crown

OCEAN CITY, NJ — A South Jersey woman added another crown to her collection on her march to the big show this fall.

Miss South Shore Jaime Gialloreto won the Miss New Jersey Pageant at the Ocean City Music Pier Saturday night, according to nj.com. Afterward, she said she was “over the moon” at winning the crown.

Gialloreto, of Woolwich Township, Gloucester County, bested 10 other top contestants to take the title in Saturday’s final round. She will now compete in the Miss New Jersey Pageant in Atlantic City in September. The Loyola University student’s platform is “Don’t Get Nutty: Food Allergy Awareness.”

After the opening night parade last Wednesday, Gialloreto was among the 28 contestants who competed in two nights of preliminaries before Saturday’s final.

She tied Miss Coastal Shores Natalie Ragazzo in the lifestyle and fitness swimsuit category the first night of the pageant, according to The Press of Atlantic City. She won the talent category on the second night.

“I’ve never felt degraded in a swimsuit,” Gialloreto said following her victory, according to philly.com. “ … I don’t think that showing your body should be taboo,” Gialloreto said. “It’s almost like we’re telling women they have to cover up to be respected.”

Her comments followed the announcement earlier this month that Miss America is doing away with the swimsuit competition. The competition is also revamping the evening gown phase of the competition.

Gialloreto aspires to be a lawyer, like her father, according to ocnjdaily.com. She feels strongly about the importance of a good education.

Action News 6-ABC weather anchor Karen Rogers hosted the event. Miss New Jersey 2017 Kaitlyn Schoeffel crowned Gialloreto as her successor.

Patch file photo