NEWTON, NJ—Miss Newton 2024 was crowned in a ceremony held in council chambers, surrounded by friends and family on Newton Day. In her final official duty, Miss Newton 2023 Abigail Gormley, crowned Allison Iliff as Miss Newton 2024.
The Master of Ceremonies, Newton Town Manager, Thomas S Russo Jr. opened the event, similar to years’ past, recognizing the 2023 winners.
Little Miss Newton 2023 Winner, Lorelai Tankel and Little Mister Newton 2023, Roger McKelvie, as well as Miss Newton 2023 Abigail Gormley. He then recognized the Newton Town Council, the judges, who included Elissar Abou Jaoude, 2022 Miss Newton, Lisa Qarmout, 2017 Miss Newton, and Hannah Squires, 2018 Miss Newton, the sponsors, Newton’s FFA program for the flowers for the event, as well as the Newton Recreation Commission members:
Barbara Hunton- Recreation Administrative Assistant
This year Iliff, 18, was the only contestant for the Miss Newton 2024 title, escorted by her father, she was the final contestant to the podium to answer the following questions:
What is your greatest memory of growing up in the Town of Newton and why?
Tell us about your favorite teacher and how they inspired you to achieve academic success.
If you could change anything in the world, what would it be and why?
If you were the marketing director of the Town of Newton, how would you market the Town to the people outside the local area?
What is your dream career and what do you hope to accomplish?
One of her favorite memories is going to all of the Newton Days, but her favorite was one when she was younger and her and her family had parked to watch the fireworks and she pulled up next to one of her friends and his family opened their arms and their truck bed and invited them all to sit and watch with them. “Even at that age, I remember feeling the strong sense of welcoming and community that you only get from Newton.”
Her favorite teacher is Brendan Scullin from Newton High School, who is both a history teacher and director of the plays at the high school. “You can tell that he had a deep love for all of his students and wanted nothing bu success for them and it is because of him that I strive for success everyday.”
If she could change anything, Iliff would make houses of religion more accessible to the deaf community. She is a current student at Sussex County Community College pursuing a Liberal Arts degree with a focus on American Sign Language. She is also volunteering as a tutor this summer to help new ASL students hone their skills and learn more about deaf culture.
As marketing director for Newton, Iliff would utilize billboards with QR codes, so that passengers in the car can scan them and get a calendar of upcoming events being held within the Town. While her dream career is to be an ASL Interpreter, she really just wants to help as many deaf or hard of hearing people as much as possible in their everyday lives.
Russo threw in a few extra questions since Iliff was the only contestant, including one involving aliens. He asked, if aliens came down to Earth and offered you any position on their ship, what would it be and why. Iliff responded that she would like to be the Princess so she would not have to do all the heavy lifting, she gets a tiara and everyone would be nice to her.
His next question was about being shipwrecked on an island. If all your human needs were met, what two items would you bring and why. Iliff responded with her bible, so she could be connected to her religion and a karaoke microphone, so when she gets bored she could sing a tune or two.
The final question- if you could go back in time and give your 13-year-old self any advice, what would it be. “I would tell my 13-year-old self to stay true to her values”, Iliff said, “to always believe in herself, even when other people don’t and to remember that it is ok to not be ok sometimes.
Iliff is a lifelong resident of Newton and is actively involved in her family church. She is currently employed at Tranquility Farms in Green Township. She is the youngest daughter of Scott and Kathleen Iliff, and her career goal is to become a Sign Language interpreter. She has deep family roots in Newton. Her great-grandmother, grandparents, father, and sister are all graduates of Newton High School, and her father and sister are both graduates of SCCC, and she loves sharing that bond. Newton is a fantastic place to live.
Miss Newton 2024 will participate in the Queen of the Fair in August and is invited to several events throughout the year such as the Holiday Parade, Annual Tree Lighting, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Memorial Day Parade, and more.
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