Celinda Ortega

🌟 Stellar Role Models! 🌟is a youth empowerment nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders. Our unique program blends essential life skills with positive pageantry, creating an inclusive and engaging environment that builds confidence, leadership, and a strong sense of community. Join us on this empowering journey! 💫✨ 📷 @photographybyjuliaboesch 📍 @blankspace.studio #YouthEmpowerment #Leadership #Community #Confidence #StellarRoleModels

A final goodbye to this time of my life, huge thank you to everyone who helped me through it 🤍

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to compete at Miss NJ Teen USA, an experience that in word can be described as transformative. Not making semifinals was hard to accept, especially after months of hard work, rigorous coaching sessions, and significant financial investment. However, looking back, I realized I achieved more than I could have imagined. I knew going into the competition that I didn’t fit the traditional mold they might be looking for, but I made my presence felt nonetheless. Representing the communities of daughters of immigrants, Peruvian-Americans 🇵🇪, and the vibrant city of Paterson, and sharing my passion for serving underserved communities through my national organization @starsnewjersey was everything. @celindaortega I could not have asked for a better coach, you not only helped me come in well-prepared for my first ever pageant but helped me grow as a person. Love you🤍 To my sponsors, your generosity made this journey possible, and I am endlessly thankful for your support in all my endeavors. Mom and Dad, your unwavering support and sacrifices have meant everything to me. I love you both more than words can express. 🩵 @s_navarro11 thank you for your immense love and support from Argentina. You’ve been the best big sister anyone could ask for. 🥹❤️ To my friends, family, and supporters thank you so much for accompanying me along this journey. 🥰 I believe in God’s plan and trust that He has brighter things in store for me. ✝️ With a heart overflowing with gratitude, I am ready to turn the page on this chapter of my life, excited for what the future holds. Miss Paterson Teen USA 2024 signing out ✌🏽❤️

Grateful to be living my dream helping girls achieve theirs 🤍 9th pageant season in the books and feeling blessed God led me down this path to find my pageant family and my purpose in life

Words cannot express how grateful I am for my experience this weekend 🤩 Thank you to my family & friends for their undying support and the amazing state directors, stage managers, judges and coordinators for making this a smooth and unforgettable time🩷 Although I did not take home the crown I came out of this experience with a multitude of new connections and friends that I will never forget. You girls are all so special and I can’t wait to see some of you again next year. And of course to @celindaortega my amazing coach who got me competition ready. You truly are special and I could not have asked for a better coach, guiding figure and best friend throughout this entire process. Our journey together is DEFINITELY not over and I cannot wait to grow more with you in my corner. Overall this weekend was truly transformative. I can say I gave it my best effort even though many things went wrong. The pictures I have been posting portray the best moments of every day but I want to acknowledge that this weekend put me through various obstacles. My dress broke during prelims and was slipping down during my competition AND then during my semifinals competition I fully slipped on stage when my dress got caught on my heel… but the past is the past and it’s time to put my next foot forward. To anyone feeling disheartened after the pageant I want to remind you that everything happens for a reason. Every situation teaches us something valuable and it’s how we look at the positive that are instrumental in making who we are. I’m so incredibly grateful for everything that I have gotten to experience and am so excited to take what I’ve learned and bring it for round 2 next year🩷 Finally congrats to @julialivolsi on being the new miss teen New Jersey. Though we met this year you are truly someone special and are beautiful inside and out!! I can only imagine the amazing things you will do with this title and I can’t wait to watch and cheer you on at miss teen USA. Till next year Miss marlboro teen signing out 💋💋😊🫶 #missnjteenusa #missteen #missusa #pageant #pageantry

part3: the sisterhood 💕👑 congratulations to the new miss nj usa @jabilikandula @missnjusa and the new miss nj teen USA @julialivolsi @missnjteenusa ! can’t wait to follow your reign! @derbychukwudi__ , it was an honor to watch you make such a huge impact throughout your reign! and an honor to have you as my successor. Hoboken, we’ve got 3 back to back to back CROWNS!!!!!!!! @thehobokengirl ♥️

No mom bun or sweatpants?? Who is she!! ✨ Thank you to @cindyprovost & @dmillerusa for giving me the opportunity in being a part of choosing this years @missnjteenusa titleholder. It’s always nostalgic being back at the Miss New Jersey USA pageant as a former titleholder, but being back this year on the other side as a judge was absolutely WILD lol. New Jersey, we picked a good one! Congratulations to @julialivolsi on being crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA! I can’t wait to watch your year ahead. Another congratulations to @jabilikandula on being crowned Miss New Jersey USA & welcome to the sisterhood! 💖💖💖

WE’RE GOING TO MISS USA!!!! Watch me compete at the 73rd Miss USA in Los Angeles, California on August 4, streaming live on The CW. I cannot believe I am actually saying that!! 73 years and not once has there been a Miss USA from New Jersey or of Indian descent. I think I’m ready to take that challenge 😉 To all the 130 girls who competed this weekend, you are absolutely stunning and accomplished. It takes so much courage to start and even more to go after your dream. I urge each of you not to give up as this dream for me took five tries at Miss NJ USA. I competed in teen and made semi finals with no background in pageantry or modeling. I was so excited and came back as a Miss, only to realize that this is no easy feat. I did not place my first two years as a Miss, and I only made semi finals the last two years. What is meant for you will never pass you. Thank you to… @theginamellish the absolute powerhouse that you are!! You’ve taken such good care of all your girls and I’m so lucky to be one of them. @getrealsabra @teamatlasmtl for my complete transformation mentally and physically! I knew I wanted to feel my best on the stage, and in return I’ve gained strength that has relieved me in my flight training as well. @benjamindiazcoach that walk though!! I don’t know what came over me finals night but it wouldn’t have happened without you. @albinadyla for making my beautiful dress come to life. @jessiepalumbo and @angelicamuanj for my absolutely stunning headshot. To my former coaches @oh_layyy @jillianpaigespano @markmccabetraining thank you for everything you’ve put in to help me over the years. @iamzullay the hair guru and hype woman! @artistrybyricha and @stylebridal_nicole thank you for my interview look. @beautybygiuliana @angelosteels my winning hair and makeup look! My family, Youssef, Arezu, Yara, Hannah and Bri, thank you for being my biggest cheerleaders. And more importantly, thank you all for always picking me up every time I fall. @julialivolsi I’m most excited to go on this journey with you by my side 💗 To the 2024 judges, @cindyprovost and @dmillerusa , I hope we make you proud, let’s do this Jersey!!

From my first pageant competing for @missnjteenusa to becoming @missnjusa , pageant weekend has always held a special place in my heart 🥹. One of my favorite parts is reuniting with old friends and making new ones. I am endlessly grateful for the sisterhood and the incredible ways this organization has impacted my life. Having experienced both wins and losses, what has always helped me is remembering the bigger picture: WHY I began in the first place and how the journey has shaped me. We can only control our actions and mindset, and nothing is ever truly lost if we learn and grow from each experience 🏆. It takes immense courage, hard work, and determination to compete. Sending love to all the 2024 contestants ❤️ Huge congratulations to our 2024 Miss NJ USA @jabilikandula and Miss NJ Teen USA @julialivolsi 💕Welcome to the sisterhood! Wishing you both the most incredible year ahead 🤗

For such a time as this 💛 Top 21 at Miss New Jersey USA out of over 100 of the most accomplished women I have ever met. This past weekend was an absolute dream come true. I’ve heard many times throughout the weekend that whether or not you walk away with the crown, you will still walk away changed for the better. I didn’t realize just how true this statement was. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I feel for being in a space surrounded around such empowered women that in turn helped me empower myself. I am so proud of the woman that I have become on this journey. The growth that I’ve experienced within myself with forever fuel me to continue to unleash my potential. I am so blessed to have been able to share a space with so many women who are continuing to be representatives of their communities that make this great state #JerseyStrong ! Congratulations to the new @missnjusa @jabilikandula , I cannot wait to follow your reign and cheer you on at Miss USA! 👑 The work isn’t over yet, we’re just getting started. We came. We saw. We conquered. So many people to thank that played an important role to helping me show up as my best self, but for now, we soak up this moment! Until next year! ✨ #GottaHaveFaith

Leaving pageant weekend without a physical crown, but leaving so proud of my performance and with so many amazing new friends. Different judges, different outcome. I put so much preparation and passion into this goal of mine and I wouldn’t change a thing about what I did. It’s all in God’s timing. I am so thankful to my family, friends, and the outpouring of love and support I’ve received! It all means so much. Thank you to my community of support friends, and sponsors: @celindaortega @nidiyahs_hands @the_beautyhouse_rutherford @mobilebeautyservicesllc @fadilberishaphotography @lauren_damelio x @dameliocosmetics @taylorm.tv @aartayyy and @maria_b_1234 @angelicamuanj x @lionsmane_815 @kalieghgarris @luckysa78232 @realchristinerich And to so so many friends and family, I love you and appreciate you all! Onto the next!

Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this year 🤍. I am proud to announce that I placed as a semifinalist this year. Though I didn’t walk away with the crown, I have grown immensely and am grateful to have made lifelong friends. @celindaortega , thank you for being my constant support. From offering a shoulder to cry on to lending me your gown when mine didn’t fit, you’ve been the big sister I never had. Your wisdom and kindness have guided me through my toughest moments, and I am so lucky to have you in my life. @morganmorganbonafide , thank you for getting me stage ready! I have never felt more confident. You’ve completely transformed my approach to fitness and nutrition. Thank you for pushing me to be my best self over the last 8 weeks. And of course @jabilikandula , I am beyond proud of you. I always knew you could achieve this, and I am so glad the pageant gods brought us together. Your determination and grace inspire me every day. I can’t wait to cheer you on at Miss USA and see you shine as brightly as I know you can 🥹🥹🥹 My sister forever ♾️✈️☁️