Miss Wayne Township, Jessielyn Palumbo was crowned as the brand new Miss New Jersey USA 2016 on October 18, 2015 by the outgoing queen, Vanessa Oriolo. Larissa Martinez was adjudged as first runner-up, Kendall Zoppa was titled as the second runner-up, Cheyenne Forbes was acknowledged as the third runner-up, followed by Jordan Rector who was declared as the fourth runner-up. Completing the semi-finalists spot were, Kimberly Kravitz, Alexandra Lakhman, Alexa Pantaleo, Amanda Pierce, Karina Ramirez, Zuleika Soler, Michelle Torres, Alicia Marie Blanks, Devon Bry, Vanessa Contreras, Dorothy DelleDonna, Juliette Gabriel and Veronica Harwood. At the same event, Gina Mellish was crowned as Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2016, she will represent her state at the Miss Teen USA Pageant.

Born and raised in Wayne, the 23 years old beauty, Jessielyn is a graduate of Wayne Hills High School. She went onto attend the College of New Jersey where she graduated Cum Laude and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in digital arts and a minor in fine arts. She was initiated into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society for her numerous academic accomplishments. She was also chosen to be the solo recipient of the Dean's Purchase Award in 2014.

Jessielyn was also a volunteer coach for the PAL and the Boys & Girls Club of Wayne as well as team leader for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. In 2006, she was acknowledged with the Commissioner's Award for her academic achievements in middle school while taking part in a sport for the Boys & Girls Club of Wayne. Later while in WHHS, Palumbo was both junior varsity and varsity captain for the cheering squad.

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The dazzling beauty queen is currently an entrepreneur of her own photography and digital arts business called, Jessielyn Palumbo Photography. A nationally published photographer, her work has been presented in such magazines as Maxim and Gladys. Her internships in college included Fidel Berisha and Maxim in their digital arts departments. She is in addition vigorously involved in both runway and magazine modeling.

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Being beautiful inside out, her journey in pageantry began at the age of 17 when she competed in Miss New Jersey Teen USA, where she was placed as third runner up. She then competed again at age 18 and was first runner up. When she aged out of the teen category she competed in the Miss New Jersey USA four times and placed in the top five two years consecutively and in the top 20. Being a pageant veteran, she is definitely a force to reckon with. When asked about why has she chosen pageantry as her integral element of her life, the newly crowned beauty queen opined: "My older sister competed in pageants and encouraged me to enter the Miss New Jersey Teen USA pageant after she placed first runner up herself at Miss NJ Teen USA the year before in 2009."

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Regarding her coming endeavors, Jessielyn reflected, as she looks forward to contribute towards the cause: "The Miss USA organization is committed to raising awareness for breast and ovarian cancers. They also have other charitable alliances with the United Service Organizations (USO) and Best Buddies."

Jessielyn has been working with the pageant coach Jacklyn Gray, to bring out her bejeweled charisma in motion. Crediting her confidence to the owner of Jacklyn Beauty, Jessielyn says it is Jacklyn Gray who has increased her buoyancy and strengthened her in each field of competition, including interview, swimsuit, evening gown, and on-stage question. Regarding her preparations Jessielyn expressed: "Not only do you have to stay physically fit and pursue a healthy lifestyle for the swimsuit competition but you have to have stage presence. For both evening gown and swimsuit there's a certain way to walk and energy you need to have. As for the interview and on-stage question, you have to be calm and collective, while avoiding being controversial. They want to get to know your personality and if you would be a great role model. So we practice interview questions and how to perform onstage."

Jessielyn Palumbo says she's enjoys interacting with the delegates during the pageants, and is looking forward to make new friends in the coming edition of Miss USA: “I personally love it. I'm a people person and I always enjoy making new friends. Throughout competing in pageants, I have made so many close friends that I stay in touch with. I think it's more beneficial to enjoy your experience rather than trying to undermine competition."

She also added participating in pageants has augmented her confidence and improved her public speaking abilities. She opined: “You have to be comfortable in your own skin and confident when you perform on stage in front of a crowd. As Miss NJ USA, you are continually making public appearances and communicating with others.”

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The Wayne mayor and council recently honored Palumbo at a meeting where they gave her a proclamation for her accomplishment, regarding which Jessielyn beaming with ecstasy reflected: "It feels incredible to be able to represent Wayne Township. I've been a resident of Wayne my entire life and I feel blessed to not only represent my state at Miss USA but also my hometown."

Jessielyn expressed: "I'm a nationally published beauty and fashion photographer as well as a part time model so winning the title of Miss USA offers so many opportunities within my field. One day I hope to become an internationally published celebrity fashion photographer.”

New Jersey has had only restrained victory at Miss USA, and has never produced a winner. In 2008, Tiffany Andrade finished as second runner up, one of three Miss New Jersey USAs to place third at the Miss USA Pageant.  Do you think Jessielyn Palumbo will become the first Miss USA from New Jersey?