Our borough’s newest queen crowned Miss Staten Island 2025: Meet Madison Gattullo

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Congratulatory greetings are in order for our borough’s newest queen — Madison Gattullo.

Madison has now officially earned the right to be known as Miss Staten Island 2025 after garnering the crown Sunday evening and impressing a panel of judges during competition at the Historic Old Bermuda Inn.

Twelve young women competed for the titles of Miss Staten Island, Miss Richmond County, Miss Staten Island’s Teen and Miss Richmond County Teen during the 58th annual competition.

Themed “Welcome to the Party,” the scholarship competition, directed by Ashley Marie Davis-Parascondola, Miss Staten Island 2019, was set amid dazzling lights and a sparkly backdrop, reminiscent of a Broadway production.

Also nabbing crowns and honors for gowns during the gala event:

Scarlett DeWitt, Miss Richmond County 2025. DeWitt’s talent is vocal and her Community Service Initiative is “Girls Growing Government.”

Nadia Anwar took the title of Miss Staten Island’s Teen 2025. Her talent is vocal and for her Community Service Initiative she chose “Ready, Set, Shine: Accessibility, Advocacy and Awareness for the Arts.”

And Chloe Wong, who is now Miss Richmond County’s Teen 2025, also performed vocally. Her Community Service Initiative is “Not A Debate: Empowering Political Literacy for Youth.”

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

Pageant scholarships and awards were presented to this year’s titleholders and other delegates, prior to the crowning ceremony.

Winning crowns were awarded to Miss Staten Island, Miss Richmond County, Miss Staten Island Teen and Miss Richmond County Teen, provided by Jimmy Granello of Jimmy’s Fine Jewelry in Meiers Corners, who once again provided crown rings to the new titleholders.

The four new titleholders will go on to compete for the Miss and Teen New York State titles in the upstate New York town of Peekskill during the spring of 2025.

The statewide winners will then compete at the national level, the winner of which is crowned Miss America.

As a former Miss Staten Island, Davis-Parascondola remarked, “I am very excited to prepare these young ladies for that same opportunity that I was very fortunate to experience.”

Carmine DeBetta, executive director of the Miss Staten Island Scholarship Organization, commented: “We had a wonderful mix of former delegates competing, as well as some new ones who are very enthusiastic. The panelists (judges) no doubt had a difficult job of selecting our new titleholders.”

QUOTES AND COMMENTS FROM WINNERS

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity being crowned Miss Richmond County’s Teen 2025,” said Chloe Wong, Miss Richmond County’s Teen. “I’m looking forward to volunteering within my community and furthering my community service initiative, ‘Not A Debate: Empowering Political Literacy for Youth.’ Very excited for the year ahead!”

“I am so excited to have earned the title as Miss Staten Island’s Teen 2025,” said Nadia Anwar, Miss Staten Island’s Teen. “I can’t wait to get into the Staten Island community and continue my advocacy with my non-profit organization ‘Ready, Set, Shine! Inc.’ which works with access, advocacy, and awareness for the arts! Staten Island, here we come!”

“I’m a fifth generation Staten Islander, born and raised,” said Scarlett DeWitt, Miss Richmond County 2025. “So finally being able to hold this title and proudly represent my home is an absolute honor and dream come true. Staten Island is my favorite place in the world and I love it more than anything! I can’t wait to serve the community that I love so dearly while promoting my community service initiative “Girls Growing Government”. Whoever is hearing/reading this (hopefully the Staten Island Zoo), I am so excited to be your Miss Richmond County for 365 days, especially on Ground Hog Day where I hopefully get to pet THE Staten Island Chuck — Charles!”

“Being crowned Miss Staten Island 2025 truly is a dream come true,” said Madison Gattullo, our borough’s newest Miss Staten Island who calls New Springville home. “I feel blessed to be able to expand my reach in advocating for inclusive and accessible arts across the Island and State. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and inspired me to chase my dreams!”

Davis-Parascondola, added: “Our 58th Annual Miss SIRC Scholarship Competition, ‘Welcome To the Party!’ was a hit success! I’m so honored to have had the opportunity to choreograph for this year’s show. As a former Miss Staten Island’s Teen, Miss Richmond County, and Miss Staten Island, it’s safe to say this journey has truly shaped my life in more ways than one. I’m so proud of how wonderfully all of our delegates performed. To Madison, Nadia, Scarlett and Chloe, congratulations to each of you on your wins tonight! This is going to be an awesome year and I’m excited to work alongside each of you on your road to Miss New York/Miss New York’s Teen!”

Dawn Macchia, administrative assistant, contestant and paperwork coordinator: “What a great afternoon with such amazing young women. Congratulations to our newest titleholders. I am so excited to work with all of you. To our outgoing queens, Alexa, Gabriella, Madison and Joann, i can’t wait to see what you will accomplish next.”

THE PHASES OF COMPETITION

All of the delegates compete in several categories: private interview, on stage interview, a fitness walk sponsored by Rebel Wear, a major sponsor of Miss America that stresses Heart Healthy Lifestyles through fitness.

Also, talent and evening gown, which has been named the Jim Smith Evening Wear on the Runway, in honor of the late Jim Smith, former executive director of the Miss Staten Island-Miss Richmond County Scholarship Organization.

PAGEANT BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Carmine DeBetta serves as executive director of the organization while his wife, Felicia fills the role of assistant director and interview coach. ”It’s been a pleasure to work with the title winners year after year and what is most special is when they come back and tell us that the Interview and Speech Coaching helped them get a job in the private sector,” notes Felicia DeBetta.

Throughout the year Davis-Parascondola, spreads awareness about titleholders’ appearances and community service experiences.

Dawn Macchia, office and contestant coordinator, witnesses the growth and experience afforded these young women year after year — from sign up until pageant day.

The annual program journal is produced by Julianna Meyer, a former Miss Staten Island Outstanding Teen, whose computer, art and design skills enable the Miss Staten Island Organization to produce the journal.

Lenore Cibelli-Lambert serves in a dual capacity as talent consultant and raffle basket coordinator. She was a former contestant when there was only one titleholder. “It’s always a joy to see the Teen and Miss Delegates come to us as buds and no matter the outcome, they leave as flowers with gained skills and filled with dedication.”

Al Lambert chairs the fundraising efforts.

COMPETITION GARNERS AWARD

Last year the Miss Staten Island-Miss Richmond County Local won the award as the Best Local among all the locals under the Miss New York State Banner for the 2022-2023 Season.

Carmine DeBetta accepted the award on behalf of all the Volunteer Members Of The Miss Staten Island Scholarship Organization.

DeBetta noted, “Essentially we are all volunteers who are committed to improving the lives of our young women, through the brand of Miss America: ‘Empowering Women to Lead’ and following the four points of the crown ‘Scholarship, Service, Style and Success.’”