New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On Saturday January 17th, eleven young women will compete to become the next Miss New Bedford’s Outstanding Teen. The pageant will begin at 6:00PM at Keith Middle School in New Bedford. Media encouraged to attend. Winner to be crowned between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
A local preliminary competition to the Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen scholarship programs, the pageant emphasizes scholarship and service to the community. This year’s winner will receive a $500 educational scholarship, in addition to hundreds of dollars in additional prizes. Runners-up and special awards winners will also receive scholarship money and awards. The pageant is also a “little sister” program to the annual Miss New Bedford Pageant.
Contestants compete in five stages of scored competition: a private six-minute Interview, Talent, Physical Fitness, Evening Wear, and On-Stage Question. Contestants are expected to exude confidence, demonstrate academic excellence, and show a commitment to service. Each contestant has chosen her own personal ‘platform’ which she will emphasize during her year of service, in addition to serving as a role model for young girls in the Greater New Bedford area.
The current reigning Miss New Bedford’s Outstanding Teen is Olivia Marques, a 17-year-old junior at New Bedford High School. Throughout her year, Olivia made more than 95 appearances throughout the community. Her year of service was devoted to her platform, “We Rise By Lifting Others” which promotes the values of volunteerism.
Tickets purchased in advance are $20 for adults and $15 for children/seniors at tickets@missnewbedford.org or by calling 978-914-1146. Tickets will be available at the door for a flat rate of $20 for all ages. Additional information may be found at www.missnewbedford.org.
This year’s contestants are:
- Lindsey Ashworth, a 14-year-old freshman at Fairhaven High School. She will sing for her talent and her platform aims to raise awareness and funds for the Make a Wish Foundation.
- Meighread Dandeneau, a 16-year-old junior at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. Her talent is a vocal performance and her platform is titled, ROAD: Reading Opens All Doors.
- Kenzi Farland, a 16-year-old junior at New Bedford High School. She will sing for her talent and her platform focuses on promoting the benefits of participating in the Boys and Girls Club.
- Bethany Fernandes, a 16-year-old junior at Fairhaven High School. She will dance for her talent and her platform is titled Hungry for Change, engaging youth in efforts to reduce hunger.
- Danielle Guimont, a 16-year-old junior at New Bedford High School. Her talent is a color guard performance and her platform is titled Imperfect but Perfectly You, Boosting Self Esteem and Positive Self Image.
- Mae Harrington, a 14-year-old student at The Wheeler School. She will sing for her talent and her platform is titled Curiosity for Kids, promoting an interest in STEM.
- Stacie Hartman, a 15-year-old sophomore at Dartmouth High School. Her talent is a vocal performance and her platform promotes the support and services of The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.
- Victoria Kalisz, a 13-year-old student in the 7th grade at St. Francis Xavier School. Her talent is a vocal performance and her platform is titled Tori’s Teens for Jeans which aims to provide clothing for youth who are less fortunate.
- Violet Maher, a 13-year-old who is homeschooled in Dartmouth. Her talent is a vocal performance and her platform is titled Fit Teen: Fifteen Qualities of a Fit Teen promoting health and overall wellness.
- Michaelah Nunes, a 16-year-old junior at Old Rochester Regional High School. She will dance ballet for her talent and her platform is titled, Reviving the Lost Art of Good Old-Fashioned Communication.
- Cierra Vicente, a 16-year-old junior at New Bedford High School. Her talent is a vocal performance and her platform is titled Here for a Purpose: Giving Youth Drive to Stay Alive, which aims to reduce teen suicide.
