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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S TEEN NEW JERSEY
IRA AGARWAL
USOA TEEN NEW JERSEY 2026
Hi Everyone! My name is Ira Agarwal and I’m your USOA Teen New Jersey 2026! I'm so excited to represent New Jersey at the 2026 USOA Teen National Pageant in March!
I am a junior at West-Windsor Plainsboro High School South. I love to dance and act. Aside from my artsy side, both supporting my community and traveling mean a lot to me. Seeing the world, meeting new people and getting introduced to new cultures is not only important, but incredibly fun.
Model Mindset, my platform, empowers children and teens towards taking their first steps towards body positivity. I created my very own guidebook, currently catered towards younger kids. It follows a four step guide, also known as the four A’s: Accept, Appreciate, Activate and Approach. Leveraging my title, I hope to grow my platform and impact more lives.
Through my reign this year, I hope to encourage as many girls as I can to join and understand pageantry. I strongly believe that pageantry allows one to showcase who they truly are. It's a safe space, one where girls can bring their best self to the limelight. I have grown so much already and I hope that many more get to experience the same.
I can't wait for an amazing year ahead!
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S MISS NEW JERSEY
Nishka Dhawan
USOA Miss New Jersey 2026
Nishka Dhawan, USOA Miss New Jersey 2026, is a writer, editor, and entrepreneur dedicated to empowering women through storytelling and community. After moving from India to the United States at 17, she built a career in media, working with top publications and later launching her own digital magazine, Nakhra, which celebrates culture, lifestyle, and individuality. She is also the founder of Women Without Borders, a platform that amplifies women’s voices and fosters unity across backgrounds. Through her work, Nishka hopes to inspire others to embrace authenticity, compassion, and confidence — proving that women are truly limitless. In her free time, you can find Nishka trying new cuisines, listening to her favorite tunes, or working on her next novel.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S MS NEW JERSEY
Dania Martinez
USOA Ms. New Jersey 2026
Dania Martinez is a proud native of Paterson, NJ, driven by her commitment to empowering women and uplifting her community. As a devoted mother of two brilliant children, she recognized the importance of education as a catalyst for positive change and decided to pursue her academic journey at William Paterson University. There, she majored in Spanish and embraced her passion for social justice through minors in Women & Gender Studies and Latin American Studies.
Continuing her pursuit of knowledge and social change, Dania completed her Master's Degree in Social Work at Monmouth University. It was during this time that she became part of the Emerge NJ Alumni Class of 2018, further solidifying her dedication to advocating for women's rights and leadership.
Driven by her vision of creating a supportive platform for women, Dania founded Women's HERstory: Leading by Empowerment. Through this initiative, she assembles panels of accomplished women who share their personal journeys of overcoming obstacles and achieving success. By highlighting diverse experiences and perspectives, Dania's mission is to inspire and empower women from all walks of life to realize their full potential.
Dania's relentless pursuit of knowledge and her passion for human rights led her to embark on a Doctoral Degree in Social Work with a specialized focus on Human Rights Leadership. With this degree, she aspires to have an even greater impact on her community, influencing policies that promote human rights and social equity.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Dania remains actively engaged in her community, advocating for inclusive education, women's empowerment, and access to opportunities for all. Her determination and dedication make her a respected leader and role model for aspiring advocates and changemakers. She is currently a school social worker providing case management and counseling to special education students.
Dania Martinez continues to be a driving force for positive change, using education, advocacy, and leadership as a former Paterson Board of Education member and Vice-President with the vision to create a more equitable and empowered world for women and her beloved community in Paterson, NJ.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S MRS. NEW JERSEY
Kelsey Rosenberg
USOA Mrs. New Jersey 2026
Kelsey Rosenberg is a passionate advocate for inclusive education and the creator of the Every Child Can Belong initiative. Once a child with a learning disability who struggled to find her place, Kelsey transformed her experiences into purpose. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and is now a certified Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant and nationally certified educational diagnostician with over 20 years of experience in special education.
Through her BRICS Inclusion Toolkit (Belong, Represent, Inspire, Collaborate, Know, Support), Kelsey helps schools and families build environments where all children can thrive. She also owns Special Pencils Tutoring, where she continues her mission of empowering learners of all abilities.
As USOA Mrs. New Jersey 2026, Kelsey believes that diversity is being invited to the party, but inclusion is being asked to dance. Her goal is to help every child—and every person—feel seen, valued, and welcomed on that dance floor.