New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On Friday night, in front a crowd of more than 120 people at Ford Middle School, Victoria (Tori) Kalisz was crowned Miss Apple Peach 2019. Tori is a senior at Fairhaven High School and is the daughter of Michael and Marlene Kalisz of Acushnet. Tori previously held the title of Junior Miss Apple Peach in 2015.
Additional contestants included Taylor Gall, Caitlyn Tavares and Audra Saucier – all students at Fairhaven High. They competed in casual wear, formal wear and answered two on-stage questions including “Why do you want to become Miss Apple Peach?”
Awards went to:
• Winner: Tori Kalisz
• 1st runner-up: Caitlyn Tavares
• Miss Photogenic: Audra Saucier
• Miss Congeniality: Caitlyn Tavares
• People’s Choice: Audra Saucier
Performers included the Off-Broadway School of Dance competition teams, Meighread Dandeneau – Miss New Bedford, and Juliette Simmons – Miss New Bedford’s Outstanding Teen. Natasha Moniz, Miss Apple Peach 2018, now a freshman at Stonehill College, made an appearance and gave a goodbye speech. Judges were Deven Robitaille from SouthCoast Chamber, Wendy Joblon from Folia in Dartmouth and Jackson Scott from FUN 107. Ashley Santiago, Miss Apple Peach 2004, emceed the evening.
The pageant celebrated 40 years by welcoming back former queens to the stage, including Tori’s mother, Marlene (Nunes) Kalisz, who was Miss Apple Peach in 1985. Pageant officials believe this is the first time a mother-daughter combo was crowned and the first time a Junior came back to become a Miss.
Tori won a prize package including $250, a hairstyling gift card to Gloria & Company donated by Meg Taylor (Miss Apple Peach 2009), earrings donated by Ashley Santiago, a crown, sash, and flowers. The Miss Apple Peach pageant kicked off the Apple Peach festival weekend and Tori will make appearances in town throughout the year.
Visit the Miss Apple Peach Pageant on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MissApplePeachPageant/ for more information. Businesses interested in sponsoring the pageant, anyone interested in competing in 2020 or to request an appearance by Tori, please email pageant02743@gmail.com.
