Parsippany Teen To Compete In Miss NJ Teen USA

PARSIPPANY, NJ — A Parsippany teen is in the running for Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2018, and will compete for the title in October.

Nikki-James Soto, 17, of Parsippany, is competing in the upcoming pageant while attending the Morris County School of Technology with a dual enrollment at the County College of Morris. She is a member of the three honor societies: National Honor, National Technical Honor Society & National Art Society.

"What is closest to her heart is working with children and is excited to use this opportunity and platform to inspire young children, teenagers, and adults to strive to reach their dreams. She would like to be a role model and advocate for equality, love and positivity," mom Minerva Soto told Patch.

After high school, Soto wants to work with special needs children, and is interested in speech pathology and sociology.

When she's not participating in pageants, Soto volunteers at the Parsippany PAL as a Peer Mentor, at her local church, at Homeless Solutions in Morristown and at Diamond Dance Studio.

Image via Minerva Soto