10 Local Women Compete to Become Miss New Bedford and Win Scholarships

The media is invited and encouraged to attend at no cost. The pageant begins at 6:00PM and crowning is expected to take place between 8:00PM and 9:00PM. On Saturday October 1st, ten young women from Greater New Bedford will compete to become Miss New Bedford and potentially win thousands in scholarship monies. This year’s winner will become the 64th woman to join a long sisterhood of Miss New Bedford’s whose lives have been changed by winning the crown.

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 $135,000 to winners and contestants.

An estimated $10,000 in scholarship monies and prizes 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 gift awards. Runners-up and special awards winners will also receive scholarships 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 2016 is Kristen Rose. Kristen is a recent graduate of Umass Dartmouth where she received her degree in Criminal Justice. Kristen made more than 130 appearances during her year-long reign and devoted her year of service to her personal platform which emphasized the importance of health and fitness. She successfully implemented programs within two local elementary schools and held a series of fitness classes to raise monies for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

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

This year’s Miss New Bedford contestants are:

1. Sara Achorn, 17
   School: Old Rochester Regional High School
   Platform: Pushing the Importance of Body Positivity In Today’s Youth
   Career Ambition: Doctorate Degree in Music Therapy
   Talent: Vocal
2. Caitlyn Baker, 17
   School: New Bedford High School
   Platform: Rhythm for a Change: Music Therapy for Children with Disabilities
   Career Ambition: Pediatrician
   Talent: Vocal
3. Laura Bongiorno, 17
   School: New Bedford High School
   Platform: Mental Illness Awareness
   Career Ambition: Masters in English and Youth Ministry
   Talent: Vocal
4. Julie Duggan, 23
   School: 2015 Graduate Johnson & Wales, Bachelor of Science in Marketing
   Platform: #Actually She Can – Women’s Empowerment
   Career Ambition: Marketing/Business Professional with a focus in tourism
   Talent: Piano
5. Morgan Garcia, 19
   School: Bristol Community College
   Platform: Building and Supporting Art/Theatre Programs for Disabled Children
   Career Ambition: Preschool Teacher
   Talent: Presentation of Poem
6. Olivia Marques, 18
   School: Westfield State University
   Platform: We Rise By Lifting Others: Instilling the Values of Community Service
   Career Ambition: Actress
   Talent: Vocal
7. Kenzie Moniz, 20
   School: Lesley University
   Platform: Mind, Body, Spirit: A Holistic Approach to Health & Wellness
   Career Ambition: English Teacher
   Talent: Vocal
8. Alexandra Pimentel, 20
   School: Bridgewater State University
   Platform: Standing Up Against Bullying
   Career Ambition: Teacher
   Talent: Color Guard
9. Beatriz Ribeiro, 20
   School: University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth
   Platform: Stay Strong, Live Long
   Career Ambition: Photography & Business
   Talent: Dance
10. Kimberly Lim Souza, 20
    School: Southern New Hampshire University
    Platform: Healthy Smile, Healthy You
    Career Ambition: Doctorate in Dentistry
    Talent: Vocal

The pageant will be held Saturday October 1st, 2016 at 6:00PM at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, located at 1121 Ashley Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02745. The pageant is open to the public and tickets are $15 if reserved in advance, or $20 when purchased at the door. To reserve your tickets, email tickets@missnewbedford.org. For more information, visit www.missnewbedford.org.