Ivy Harrington, 30, Miss New Jersey USA 2025, is a proud Neptune native and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and personal development. With a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Morgan State University and currently pursuing an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication at Georgian Court University, Ivy is dedicated to blending her media, marketing, and leadership skills to make a lasting impact in the world of communications and beyond.

A former Division I basketball player and co-captain at Morgan State, Ivy knows firsthand the discipline, teamwork, and resilience needed to succeed both on and off the court. This foundation has driven her to create MVP: Most Valuable Pivot, a workshop designed to empower young women by helping them build their identities beyond sports and inspire them to grow into confident leaders and change-makers. Ivy also coaches middle school basketball and lacrosse, believing that shaping the next generation of female athletes is less about a winning record and more about being the mentor she needed when she was younger.

Ivy’s media aspirations are also shaping her path forward. With her degrees in journalism and marketing, she aims to pursue a career in television, using her expertise to influence the media landscape and create content that empowers others. In college, her summer internships with Fox Searchlight and Annapurna Pictures deepened her love for storytelling and the power of media. She dreams of one day writing screenplays that bring powerful, untold stories to life. Ivy has already begun her on-screen journey by appearing on the Sherri Shepherd Show and The Today Show — the latter of which she visited on her 16th birthday. Al Roker gifted her the script from his segment, inspiring her to pursue broadcast journalism.

A four-time Miss New Jersey USA competitor, Ivy first competed in 2020 and placed in the Top 5 in both 2022 and 2024, before finally winning the state title in 2025. As the oldest woman ever crowned Miss New Jersey USA, Ivy’s journey is a powerful example of defying age-related limitations and proving that dreams are always worth pursuing.

Through her platform, Ivy is determined to show women and girls everywhere that it’s never too late to chase their dreams. She hopes to inspire others to ignore societal timelines and pursue their passions with full heart and speed.

Beyond pageantry, Ivy is committed to her community, working as the Social Media Manager for the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District. She uses her communication skills to enhance student success and promote educational excellence. Ivy also mentors’ others through workshops and public speaking, encouraging young people to believe in their own potential.

Her journey as a late-blooming pageant competitor is a story of tenacity, heart, and never giving up — a message she carries with her as she competes for the Miss USA crown. Ivy believes that dreams are not bound by age or timelines.

“Chase your dreams at full speed — they can’t wait to meet you.”