New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Nine contenders took to the stage Saturday at the 6th annual Miss New Bedford’s Outstanding Teen pageant, but only one walked away with the crown and a $350 scholarship.
Alyssa Maitoza, a 16-year-old junior at Dartmouth High School, impressed the judges with her confidence, public speaking abilities, stage presence, talent, and poise. For the talent competition, Alyssa performed a high energy tap dance to Dirty Pop by Justin Timberlake. Not only did she win the title, she was also the recipient of the Talent Award, Overall Interview Award, Scholastic Achievement Award, Community Service Award, and the Spirit of Outstanding Teen Award. Alyssa will now serve the community as a role model and an active volunteer. She will dedicate her year of service to her personal platform, The Arts in Action which aims to promote the arts throughout the Greater New Bedford community.
The pageant is a “little sister” program to the annual Miss New Bedford scholarship pageant. Similar to the Miss New Bedford pageant, contestants began the competition on Saturday in a private interview with a panel of five judges. At 6:00, the on-stage competition followed with contestants competing in the remaining phases of competition: Physical Fitness, Talent, Evening Wear, and On-Stage Question.
In addition to Maitoza’s selection as winner, the pageant showcased nine other outstanding teens, ages 13-17 years old. Additional award recipients included:
Winner and recipient of a $350 scholarship was Alyssa Maitoza. She also received the Talent Award, Overall Interview Award, Scholastic Achievement Award, Community Service Award, and the Spirit of Outstanding Teen Award as stated previously above.
- First runner-up and recipient of a $150 scholarship was Tori Calbo, 15-year-old student at New Bedford High School. Tori also received the Committee Award.
- Second runner-up and recipient of a $100 scholarship was Alexandra Soares, a 13-year-old student at Normandin Middle School.
- Third runner-up and recipient of a $75 scholarship was Ashley Clark, a 14-year-old student at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School.
- Fourth runner-up and recipient of a $50 scholarship was Jordan St. Onge, a 14-year-old student at Fairhaven High School.
- Fine Arts Scholarship was awarded to Tori Brulport, a 14-year-old student at Old Rochester Regional Senior High School.
On behalf of the Greater New Bedford Scholarship Foundation, the program would like to thank its many sponsors and dedicated volunteers. For more information on sponsorships and/or becoming a contestant, visit www.missnewbedford.org. To view all photos from this year’s pageant, and to keep up with us throughout the year, search “Miss New Bedford” on Facebook.
