Augostina Mallous has been crowned Miss New Jersey 2022, following in another Middle Township alumna’s steps, Alyssa Sullivan, Miss New Jersey 2021.
Alyssa Sullivan, Miss New Jersey 2021 posing for a “selfie” with newly-crowned Miss New Jersey 2022, Augostina Mallous.
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Middle Township School District is celebrating a Miss America Organization crowning for the second year in a row. Augostina “Augie” Mallous, a member of Middle Township High School’s Class of 2019, has officially been named Miss New Jersey 2022 by her predecessor and friend, Alyssa Sullivan, a 2014 MTSD graduate.
Mallous took to the stage on Saturday evening inside the Superstar Theater at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City to compete against 28 other contestants, ultimately leading to Sullivan passing her the torch.
“This has been a dream of my since I was 11,” said Mallous. “I knew I had it in me, I knew I could do it if I put in the work. I just didn’t expect it to happen this fast.”
“It was such a full circle moment,” said Sullivan. “I remember the first time Augie approached me about wanting to do pre-teen pageants.” Sullivan and her family regularly stopped in at the Mallous family business, The Court House Diner. “There were many nights we would go sit with her in the diner and do mock-interviews, we became such good friends. She’s probably one of the humblest people you’ll ever meet. It’s really a beautiful thing.” said Sullivan.
Mallous began attending Middle Township Schools her freshman year in high school. “I remember being super welcomed on my first day. It [MTSD} really just felt like home for me and the next four years, I really grew up,” said Mallous. “It exposed me to so many different people from all different walks of life. Aside from the academics, my teachers, mentors and peers really contributed to just being who I am today, how I treat others and my perspective on the world. They’re still my family.”
“We have so many amazing and talented people coming out of Middle Township schools. They are raising the bar for students all over Cape May County – Augie being one of them,” said MTSD Superintendent Dr. David Salvo. “We are so proud of her, especially knowing how hard she’s worked over the years.”
“I always looked at the bigger picture and stayed focused,” said Mallous. “There are so many Middle Township teachers that contributed to my accomplishments outside of school. Building relationships with them truly made such a difference. My teachers and mentors really went out of their way to ensure that I was getting the most out of my high school experience and beyond.”
The Cape May County native’s pageant Social Impact Initiative, Stop the Traffic, aims to drive awareness and provide information on human trafficking. “During the pandemic, I became obsessed with researching human trafficking. Now I have a platform to educate people and let them know about things going on in the world, I’m going to do just that,” said Mallous. “It can happen to anyone.”
Mallous described an alarming situation she personally experienced while traveling alone, but after seeing and knowing the specific red flags she had been researching over the years, she was able to get herself to safety. “If I didn’t know the signs, things could have gone really differently for me.” Mallous was crowned Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen 2017 and awarded second runner-up just last year for Miss New Jersey behind Sullivan and Miss Seaside Counties, Thushara Korattyil.
“When you win, the judges have decided that you’re ready to do this job, but I hope she is able to make this next year an opportunity for even more growth,” said Sullivan. “It’s really the experience of a lifetime.”
Mallous will now go on to compete as Miss New Jersey in the Miss America competition later this year. The Township hosted a homecoming parade on Wednesday, June 29 which celebrated Mallous’s accomplishments.