‘Show us your shoes’ parade is June 17 with pageant over next three nights
OCEAN CITY – Molly and Melody Pugliese, sisters from Egg Harbor Township, are both competing for the title of Miss New Jersey next week in Ocean City. They want people to know the pageant is more than “wearing makeup, gowns, and tiaras.”
They are among 22 local title-holders from throughout New Jersey hoping to succeed Belle Nicholas.
“Contestants make a selfless commitment to the community through service initiatives,” Molly explained.
With two sisters competing for the same title, there must be some sibling rivalry. Right? Not so. While they both want to win, they said they are there to support each other through the competition.
Here’s some background on the contestants:
Melody, 23, who graduated from Stockton University with a degree in early childhood education last May, teaches pre-school in Egg Harbor Township. She is lead mentor with the Art for Hope Studio, a nonprofit that focuses on improving children’s mental health through art projects and she volunteers with the Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center, a nonprofit that provides therapeutic horseback riding for people with special needs.
Molly, 25, graduated from Stockton in 2023 with a degree in journalism/media. She is pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Rowan University. Molly writes for Military Appreciation Magazine, and she serves as an ambassador for the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum in Holmdel,, the only museum in the nation dedicated to honoring the memory of men and women who gave their lives during the Vietnam War. She provides communications materials and sings the national anthem at museum ceremonies.
Both she and her sister sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” for South Jersey Field of Dreams, a handicap-accessible baseball league for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities.
Molly also finds time to volunteer with Funny Farm, an animal rescue organization in Mays Landing, and she’s recently launched a business called Take the Lead. “I work with youth on vocal technique, audition prep, and building confidence and performance skills,” Molly said.
Some pageant history: Atlantic City was the home of the Miss America pageant for the better part of a century. In the event’s annual Boardwalk parade, contestants from across the United States would ride in cars, and the spectators would shout, “Show Us Your Shoes!” Contestants would wear costumes and customize their shoes.
The Miss America pageant left Atlantic City in 2005 and had stints in Last Vegas and Connecticut. It came back briefly but left again.
Ocean City hosted the Miss New Jersey pageant for years, but it ended up moving to Atlantic City. This year, it’s back.
It will once again be held at the Ocean City Music Pier. Preliminaries are 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, June 18 and 19, with the finals scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, June 20.
In a revival of tradition, a Miss New Jersey “Show Us Your Shoes” parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Melody noted, “It’s a great way to kick off the competition.” The parade title: “Crowned in Service, 250 Years of Leadership.” Spoiler alert: Melody plans to wear a Wonder Woman costume complete with boots. Molly will wear a Dorothy costume from “The Wizard of Oz” with the requisite ruby slippers.
In the Miss America Pageant, contestants need to win a local competition before they can advance to the state level. Molly won Miss Atlantic Shores last October at the Ocean City Music Pier. She has a lot of pageant experience under her belt (better yet, sash). Molly, who started competing in 2019, has won seven local pageants.
In contrast, Melody never competed before this year. “I was always in the audience cheering Molly on,” she said. Melody won the title of Miss Seashore Line at the Ocean City Music Pier in January. “I was lucky enough to walk away with the title as a first-time competitor,” she said.
Both Molly and Melody consider competing for the title of Miss New Jersey at the Music Pier to be good luck.
“I competed for six years at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City. To get my shot at winning Miss New Jersey at the Music Pier is amazing,” Molly said.
“We don’t feel like we’re competing against each other. We’re experiencing the pageant together. If Molly wins, I’ll be happy. I know how much she deserves it,” Melody said.
“I know Melody will be backstage to be there if I need help, say, with my dress,” Molly said. (Maybe a safety pin or some adhesive tape at the ready.)
Because the sisters are a lot alike, Melody noted, “I’m sure people think we’re two peas in pod. Same height. Both brunette. Both sing, but we have a lot of personality differences.” For example, Molly mulls things over; Melody is more likely to wing it.
Melody has always been more sports-minded, and Molly has been more focused on theater performance. “I was on the court and in the field,” said Melody, who currently coaches high school girls soccer and basketball teams. “Molly took the music theater route in a big way.”
Molly performed last October with her mother in “Into the Woods” at the Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point. Molly played Cinderella, and her mother Toni Ann Gisondi performed as Cinderella’s mother.
Notably, Melody and her mom happened to be in the same movie, but not the same production. Gisondi portrayed orphan Molly in the 1982 film adaptation of “Annie.” Melody was an extra in the 2014 “Annie” movie.
As childhood actresses (extras) both met famous actors on the set. Melody chatted with Adam Sandler and Molly ate French Fries with Mark Wahlberg.
Each contestant must compete with a community service platform. Melody’s platform is “No Mind Left Behind.” As a teacher, she has recognized that children have different learning styles. Her initiative promotes awareness that students learn differently and educators need to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of students with varying learning styles.
As part of her education initiative, Melody organized a community book drive. She collected more than 400 books, which she donated to the pediatric unit at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point and to Boys and Girls Clubs.
Molly’s platform is LEAD, which focuses on fostering tomorrow’s leaders today. “It’s about developing a willingness to lead among kids. “LEAD is a leadership blueprint,” Molly said. L stands for learn leadership; E for explore possibilities; A for advance passions; and D for develop skills. She’s presented LEAD at Boys and Girls Clubs, elementary schools, and her alma mater, Holy Spirit High School in Absecon.
“The program is designed to instill lifelong skills, such as networking, confidence in public speaking, and community connection,” Molly said.
In addition to the platform, other aspects of the competition are talent, gown, on-stage question, and fitness (no more swimsuits and heels).
For talent, Molly plans to sing “Journey to the Past” from “Anastasia,” the animated Disney movie. “I connect with the lyrics — in particular, the last lines: “Let this road be mine. Let it lead me to my past and bring me home at last.” Hopefully, this will be my time to represent New Jersey,” Molly said.
Melody plans to sing “Where the Boys Are” by Connie Francis. “I’m an old soul,” she said. FYI — the song was the title track of the 1960 movie of the same name. “When I was younger, I sang Connie Francis’ “Stupid Cupid” in talent shows (once on the Ocean City Music Pier stage).
Both Molly and Melody admit the question segment can be daunting. “You can’t overthink it,” Melody said. “You have to answer from the heart.”
The swimsuit section is fitness now. “This segment promotes body positivity,” Molly said.
At times, “beauty” pageants have sparked controversy. Pageants still have critics. “There are people who frown upon the pageant,” Molly said. “But that’s because they’re not exposed to what it’s about today.” Notably, the Miss America Program is the largest scholarship provider for women in the nation.
“Many people don’t realize that the pageant is community service driven,” Melody added.
“Some people in society think the pageant is prissy. It’s not,” Molly said. “It’s about being a well-rounded woman – the best version of yourself you can be.”
– By ALICE URBANSKI/For the Sentinel
Photos provided
