Amid seemingly ordinary school days and busy routines, two members of the WW-P community wear pageant crowns. One is a district social media manager working behind the scenes of WW-P’s instagram, and the other is a student at South. Though they come from different paths, both recently earned statewide recognition through New Jersey pageantry.
Walking through the hallways of South, rushing to class, you might not realize you’re walking beside a beauty queen. This year, Ira Agarwal (‘27) earned the title of United States of America Teen New Jersey 2026 and district social media manager Ivy Harrington was crowned Miss New Jersey USA 2025.
Agarwal’s journey into pageantry started with a love for performing. “I dance, and I sing, and I like acting,” she said. “So I’ve always liked being on stage.” Preparing for the competition took Agarwal many months. One of the most important components was developing her platform, a cause contestants advocate for throughout their pageant year.
Agarwal’s platform, The Model Mindset, focused on promoting body positivity among children and teens. “Teenagers are constantly comparing themselves to others online,” Agarwal said. “It’s a really big issue.”
Agarwal created a booklet filled with activities and worksheets designed to help children feel more comfortable with their different body types. Winning the People’s Choice award came as a surprise. “I didn’t think I was going to win,” she admitted. “The award showed me that it’s possible.”
Teen pageants include several scored events, such as an athletic walk, evening gown walk, interview and an onstage question. Agarwal said that confidence played a key role in her success. “A lot of it is knowing yourself and being confident,” she said.
Ms. Harrington’s interest in pageantry began in college where she was studying broadcast journalism. After watching the Miss USA competition on television, she said,. “The women who stood out to me weren’t stereotypical.They were doing things people didn’t expect.”
Initially, Harrington entered the Miss New Jersey USA competition for experience and networking rather than the title itself. “The only reason I signed up is because I wanted a job or an internship.” She said she didn’t care about winning. After placing multiple times, she continued competing and eventually earned the crown on her fourth attempt.
Harrington described pageantry as demanding both mental and physical preparation. “I like to call pageantry a sport,” she explained. “There are coaches, training, and a lot of preparation behind the scenes.” During finals night, Harrington slipped onstage, briefly shaking her confidence. “I thought I lost,” she said. “But I reminded myself to keep going.”
Both Harrington and Agarwal agreed that pageantry is often misunderstood. Rather than being ruthless, they described it as a supportive and encouraging environment.
As Harrington continues her year as Miss New Jersey USA and Agarwal looks ahead to future competitions, their stories serve as a reminder that confidence, preparation, and perseverance can lead to success, both onstage and beyond the school walls.
Correction: CULTURE An article in the February 2026 print edition about Ira Agarwal misstates the title she was awarded. The title is “United States of America Teen New Jersey 2026” not “Miss Teen New Jersey People’s Choice 2025.”
