The summer months are not far along, and that means that the Miss America Outstanding Teen pageant is around the corner too! Just last month we shared with you about a new member of the MAOTeen 2018 class, Alaina Murphy, who was crowned as MAOTeen NJ! Check out pictures from this pageant, thanks to P.G. Photography.

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The opening number production for any pageant is always anticipated. This year, the producers for NJOT 2018 used the song, “Feel It Still,” by Portugal. The Man, for their opening number. A very trendy song, indeed! And why not use the song – after all, it was awarded for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at this year’s Grammy Awards!

Augostina Mallous, who was crowned as NJOT 2017 last year was the host for the evening, alongside Dean Blizzard and the reigning Miss New Jersey, Kaitlyn Schoeffel. The theme for this year’s pageant was time, and it was only a matter of time until a new NJOT was announced!
Fitness and Lifestyle was the first portion of competition for the pageant. Each contestant had the opportunity to show the judges a balance of a fit lifestyle, and athletic stability. You can tell each of the contestants put their 100% into practicing their routine at home!

Talent was the next phase of competition, and it is also one of my most favorites. I enjoy this phase of competition the most because it allows us to see the true, raw talent, each of the contestants possess, and how they bring it to life on stage. I have to say, one of my most favorite talent performances was Maggie DePhillips, who performed a lyrical dance to “How Far I’ll Go,” from the Disney movie, Moana. What stood out to me, besides her great performance, was that she incorporated the ocean into her entire costume, bringing it to life, even more. The best accessory she had was the starfish in her hair. And her outfit was a great shade of blue, reminding me of the ocean in the Caribbean sea.

Another standout performance, was Madelyn Hays; she was also awarded for the talent prelim and a non-finalist talent award. Last year she lit the stage on fire with her performance to Sia’s, Cheap Thrills. And she did just the same this year. We love how she switched her costume up as well, incorporating different colors. The mannerism in which she owns the stage is just spectacular!

Evening gown was the last and final phase of competition, and also one of the most anticipated. Until this part of the evening, nobody really knows what any of the other contestants evening gowns look like. Some reveal their gown at their send-off, but some don’t until the big night. It’s always interesting to see which designers grace the stage at this phase. What were some of your favorite looks of the evening?

Before the winner was crowned, there were many awards and acknowledgements which were given out the night of the pageant:
Community Service: Alyssa Lego
Silva Barthold Memorial: Marina Clifford
Miracle Maker: Gabriela Collins
People’s Choice: Isabella Freund
Service & Scholarship: Alyssa Lego
Congeniality: Taylor Swanger
Photogenic: Gabriela Collins
Talent Prelim: Madelyn Hayes & Jessica Wong
Interview Prelim: Marina Clifford

Then the top 5 were called out, in no particular order:
Marina Clifford
Samantha McConaghy
Molly Pugliese
Jessica Wong
Alaina Murphy

Followed by some more awards:
Rookie of the Year: Meadow Paliotta
Non-prelim Talent: Madelyn Hayes
Non-prelim Gown: Maggie Phillips
Non-prelim Fitness: Meadow Paliotta
Non-prelim Interview: Alyssa Lego

And then it was time to crown a new Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen!
4th Runner-Up: Molly Pugliese
3rd Runner-Up: Marina Clifford
2nd Runner-Up: Samantha McConaghy
1st Runner-Up: Jessica Wong
NJOT 2018: Alaina Murphy