Middle PAC to Host Mrs New Jersey United States Pageant

COURT HOUSE — The Performing Arts Center of Middle Township will soon be the site for a pageant for married women 21 years and older. The Mrs. New Jersey United States Pageant, which bills itself as “the premier pageant for New Jersey’s married women,” will come to the PAC on Sat. night, May 17, at 7 p.m. with the winner going to Las Vegas for the nationals from July 20 to 25. The PAC pageant will have special significance for the presenters because It will mark the 25th anniversary of the New Jersey event. It was presented last year at the Atlantic Cape Community College in Mays Landing.
Nine contestants will compete, including Mary Jo Kennelly of Upper Township who will represent Cape May County. The state winner will receive a $1,000 prize. They will be judged on interviews, swimsuit and evening gown competitions.
“Mrs. United States is no ordinary beauty pageant,” says Michelle Anderson who is state executive director with Christopher Willshire. “It is extraordinary. We believe that married women should be recognized for their ability to integrate intellect and beauty.”
Anderson and Willshire, who have been producing the pageant for 10 years, will bring a local angle to the event. They are both graduates of Ocean City High School.
Other contestants include Tara Floriani (Mrs. Bergen County); Amber Mack ( Mrs. Greater Burlington County); Paige Lippe (Mrs. Mahwah Township); Sandi Zalinsky (Mrs. Monmouth County); Lee Anne Mincolleli (Mrs. Morris County) Shereen Matera (Mrs. Oakland) ; Bianca Matera (Mrs. Ocean County) and Bernadette Johansson ( Mrs. Warren County).
The winner will be crowned by the current Mrs. New Jersey, Joy Jones-Carmack of Egg Harbor Township, an assistant professor of communications at Atlantic Cape Community College.
Advance tickets may be purchased for $25 via the Mrs. New Jersey website at www.mrs.newjersey.com or for $30 at the PAC box office on the day of the pageant. The Performing Arts Center is situated at 212 Bayberry Drive, Cape May Court House, one mile east of exit 10 of the Garden State Parkway. There is free parking on the premises.