FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Parsippany, NJ — July 26, 2026 — Alean Elston, representing Jersey City as Miss Jersey City USA in the Miss New Jersey USA 2026 competition, was recognized with the Best Interview Award following this year’s state competition.
The award recognizes Elston’s performance during the interview portion of the competition, where contestants are evaluated on their ability to communicate their experiences, perspectives, and goals in a meaningful conversation with a panel of judges.
“For me, this award represents the work I put into becoming a stronger communicator,” said Elston. “I knew that being able to clearly explain who I am, what I care about, and the work I want to do was one of the most important parts of this experience.”
Throughout her preparation for the competition, Elston focused heavily on refining her interview skills and developing a stronger understanding of how to communicate her personal mission. She worked with Harrison Consulting and Pageant Smart to strengthen her approach before entering the competition.
In addition to her professional career in the beverage industry, Elston is the founder of The Freedom Way Initiative, a project focused on using New Jersey history as a tool to encourage education, economic empowerment, and greater awareness of the stories that shaped the state.
“The Freedom Way Initiative started from my belief that every community has stories worth discovering,” said Elston. “History is not just something we look back on, it can help us better understand where we are and where we want to go.”
The Miss New Jersey USA 2026 competition brought together women from across the state for a weekend of interview, evening gown, swimwear, and on-stage competition. While Elston did not advance to the semifinal round, she considers the Best Interview Award an important milestone in her continued growth as a communicator and advocate.
“I walked away from this experience with a lot of pride,” said Elston. “The goal was always to show up prepared, authentic, and ready to have meaningful conversations. Receiving this recognition confirmed that the work I put in made a difference.”
Elston plans to continue expanding The Freedom Way Initiative and creating opportunities to highlight New Jersey’s history while encouraging others to learn more about the communities around them.
About Alean Elston
Alean Elston is a NYC Metro-based professional in the beverage industry, founder of the Freedom Way Initiative, and advocate for making New Jersey’s history more accessible and engaging. Through her work, she combines storytelling, education, and community engagement to help people discover the significance behind the places and stories that surround them. Follow her on Instagram – @aleanelston to stay connected to her work.