New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Ten outstanding teens competed in the 8th annual Miss New Bedford’s Outstanding Teen pageant, but only one walked away with the crown, hundreds of dollars in scholarship prizes, gifts, entry to the state pageant, and the year of a lifetime.
Victoria Kalisz, a 16-year-old sophomore at Fairhaven High School, impressed the judges with her confidence, public speaking abilities, stage presence, poise, and talent – singing a jazzy rendition of California Dreamin’.
In addition to winning the title and a $500 scholarship, Victoria also received the Interview Award, a $100 scholarship, for earning the highest points in the interview competition. She also received the Fine Arts Award winning an additional $100 scholarship. Victoria also received gifts from community partners, and paid entry into the Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen pageant in April where she will compete for additional scholarships and prizes.
Throughout her year-long reign, Victoria will serve the City of New Bedford and its surrounding communities as a youth role model and active volunteer. She will dedicate her year of service to her personally selected platform, “Rise Up; Rise In Spite of Everything” which emphasizes strength and persistence as a foundation for success. Victoria hopes to share her personal story of battling and overcoming challenging health issues, and the strength and drive she developed as a result.
The pageant is a “little sister” program to the annual Miss New Bedford scholarship pageant. Contestants began the competition, held at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School on Saturday January 13th, in a private interview with a panel of five judges. At 6:00, the on-stage competition continued with the remaining phases of competition: Lifestyle & Physical Fitness, Talent, Evening Wear and On-Stage Question.
Additional award recipients included:
– Winner and recipient of a $500 scholarship was Victoria Kalisz. She also received the Interview Award ($100 scholarship) and the Fine Arts Award ($100 scholarship) as stated above.
– First runner-up, $250 scholarship: Alexandra Soares
– Second runner-up, $200 scholarship: Emma Boudreau
– Third runner-up, $150 scholarship: Rachel Perry
– Fourth runner-up, $100 scholarship: Victoria Fernandes
– Talent Award, $50 scholarship: Alexandra Soares
– Scholastic Achievement Award, $50 scholarship: Rachel Perry
– Spirit of Outstanding Teen, $100 scholarship: Rachel Perry
– Community Service Award, $50 scholarship: Rachel Perry
– Athletic and Academic Award, $100 scholarship: Rachel Perry
– Miracle Maker Award: Emma Boudreau
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.
