Lake Nelson Adventist Academy Alumna Wins Miss New Jersey

Story by Ashley Boggess

Naomie Charles, a beloved substitute teacher, mentor, Angels of Praise director and Class of 2018 alumna at Lake Nelson Adventist Academy (LNAA), has achieved an incredible milestone. She has earned the title of 2025 United States of America’s Miss New Jersey. Charles’ journey from walking the halls as a student to becoming a state titleholder is a testament to her talent, dedication and heart for her community.

Charles credits her success to her parents and many of those who have supported her during her foundational years. She also credits her success to the values and principles she learned as a student at LNAA that she now embodies in her everyday life.

“Leave people better than you found them, and truly live a legacy,” she shares. These core beliefs not only inspire her personal life but also serve as a foundation in her pageantry journey and commitment to making a positive impact on others. This mindset has shaped many of her relationships with students at LNAA and the community around her.

Charles’ pageantry story began four years ago through the Miss New Jersey USA pageant system. She lost the first time she competed, but discovered she enjoyed the concepts within the system such as fashion, networking, creativity and meeting a spectrum of women across New Jersey who were reaching their goals every day.

She believes her faith in God allows her to continue the work she is committed to doing and to act selflessly and love others, as is stated in Galatians 5:13.

Charles shares heartfelt advice for those who might be considering pageantry: “Allow yourself to grow, learn, fail, seek advice and accept help.”

As Charles looks ahead, she plans to continue to minister to the youth at her church—Eben-Ezer—in Elizabeth, N.J., as they start a blog to connect with others and answer the same questions that her younger self had. This will, in turn, build community where she can share advice.

With Charles’ dedication, hard work and faith, she continues to be a role model for students and an inspiration and shining light to all who know her.