8 Local Women Compete to Become the 62nd Miss New Bedford

On Saturday September 27th, eight young women from Greater New Bedford will compete for the coveted title of Miss New Bedford. This year’s winner will become the will be the 62nd woman to join a long sisterhood of Miss New Bedford’s whose lives have been changed by winning the crown. The pageant begins at 7:00PM and crowning is expected to take place between 9:00PM and 10:00PM.

A local preliminary to the Miss Massachusetts and Miss America scholarship programs, the Miss New Bedford pageant emphasizes scholarship and service within the community. Since 1954, the pageant has awarded more than $120,000 to winners and contestants.

An estimated $10,000 in scholarship monies will be awarded at this year’s pageant. The winner will receive a $3,500 educational scholarship, in addition to thousands of dollars in additional prizes. Runners-up and special awards winners will also receive scholarship money and awards.

Contestants compete in five stages of scored competition: Interview, Talent, Lifestyle and Physical Fitness in Swimsuit, Evening Wear, and an On-Stage Question. The phases aim to test contestants on a variety of qualities that Miss New Bedford is expected to have, including confidence, intelligence, and a commitment to service. Each contestant has also chosen her own personal ‘platform’ to advance, and if chosen, dedicate her year of service to.

The reigning Miss New Bedford 2014 is Jillian Zucco. Jillian is a 21-year-old Junior at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth where she studies Nursing. She has devoted her year of service to promoting volunteerism throughout Greater New Bedford with her platform, “Choose a Cause, Make a Difference.”

This year’s contestants are just eight of 13,000 contestants throughout the country who will compete in local pageants hoping to win scholarship money, leadership opportunities, and a chance at becoming Miss America. This year’s contestants are:

• Monique Hebert, a 20-year-old Junior at Bridgewater State University double majoring in Early Childhood Education and English. She is singing for her talent and her platform is titled, Baby Steps to Success: Emphasis on the importance of early childhood education.
• Shawna Lapointe, a 23-year-old freshman at Bristol Community College majoring in American Sign Language. She will perform a song in sign language for her talent and her platform is titled, Life is Worth the Fight: Reducing Bullying-Prompted Suicide.
• Kenzie Moniz, an 18-year-old freshman at Lesley University double majoring in English and Secondary Education. She will sing for her talent and her platform is titled, Living Above the Influence: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse.
• Joclyne Nunes, a 22-year-old graduate of Dean College with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and an Associate’s Degree in Science and Business. She is currently in her first year at Boston University studying Arts Administration. She is dancing for her talent and her platform is titled, Power of Performing Arts (POPA).
• Kristen Rose, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth majoring in Crime and Justice Studies. She will sing for her talent and her platform is titled, Let’s Move.
• Kimberly Souza, an 18-year old freshman at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth majoring in Biology. She is playing the piano and singing for her talent. Her platform is titled Healthy Smile, Healthy You.
• Katelyn Sylvia, a 19-year-old junior at Bridgewater State University obtaining her dual licensure in Elementary Education and Communication Studies while also studying to obtain her Masters in Special Education. She is dancing for her talent and her platform is titled, Autism Awareness: It’s OK To Be Different!
• Devon Williams, a 23-year-old graduate of Eckerd College with Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a double minor in International Relations and Journalism. She is presently studying at Bridgewater State University to obtain her Master’s Degree Public Administration Candidate. She will sing for her talent and her platform is titled, Rock the Vote.

The pageant will be held Saturday September 27th, 2014 at 7:00PM at Keith Middle School in New Bedford. It is open to the public and tickets are $20 each. To reserve your tickets, email tickets@missnewbedford.org. For more information, visit www.missnewbedford.org.