New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
10 Local Women to “battle” it out and become Miss New Bedford on Sunday October 6th
On Sunday October 6th, ten young women from Greater New Bedford will compete for the coveted title of Miss New Bedford. Recently celebrating its 60th year of success, this year’s Miss New Bedford will be the 61st of 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 $120,000 to winners and contestants. This year’s winner will receive a $3,500 educational scholarship, in addition to thousands of dollars in additional prizes. Runners-up and special awards winners will also receive scholarship money and awards.
Mirroring the Miss America pageant, contestants compete in five stages of scored competition: Interview, Talent, Lifestyle and Physical Fitness in Swimsuit, Evening Wear, and an On-Stage Question. The pageant itself will test contestants on a variety of qualities that Miss New Bedford is expected to have, including confidence, intelligence, and a commitment to service. As a result, each contestant has chosen her own personal ‘platform’ to advance, and if chosen, dedicate her year of service to.
The current reigning Miss New Bedford is Janelle Guenette. A resident of Acushnet, she is a graduate of Bridgewater State University with a B.A. in Communications Studies. As Miss New Bedford, Janelle has devoted her year to promoting Big Brothers Big Sisters – a program uniting positive mentors with youth. Janelle received a $6,000 scholarship at last year’s pageant.
This year’s contestants are just ten of 13,000 contestants throughout the country who will compete in local pageants hoping to win scholarship money, leadership opportunities, and a chance at becoming Miss America. This year’s contestants are:
Reigning Miss New Bedford 2013, Janelle Guenette
Paige Cabral, a 17-year-old student at Dartmouth High School. Her talent is a vocal performance and her platform is titled, I am Not Afraid: Women and Self-Defense.
Bianca DeBarcelos, a 20-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She will perform a comedic monologue for her talent and her platform is titled, Not For Sale: Raising Awareness on Human Trafficking.
Lindsey Fernandes, a 22-year-old student at Rhode Island College. She will dance for the talent competition and her platform is titled, Soles4Souls – Changing the World One Pair at a Time.
Monique Hebert, a 19-year-old student at Bridgewater State University. Her talent is a vocal performance and her platform is titled, Healthy Choices, Healthy Living.
Shawna Lapointe, a 22-year-old student at Johnson and Wales. Shawna will perform American Sign Language before a showcase of her photography. Her platform is titled, Tangible Philanthropy and Big Citizenship: Gifts to Give.
Kenzie Moniz, a 17-year-old student at Dartmouth High School. Kenzi will perform a vocal talent and her platform is titled, Be a Leader: The Power of Mentoring.
Kimberly Souza, a 17-year-old student at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. She will play the piano for her talent and her platform is titled, Youth Motivation: Anything is Possible.
Katelyn Sylvia, an 18-year-old student at Bridgewater State University. She will tap dance for her talent and her platform is titled, Autism Awareness: It’s OK to be Different.
Devon Williams, a 22-year-old graduate of Eckerd College. Her talent is a vocal performance and her platform is titled, Rock the Vote.
Jillian Zucco, a 20-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Her talent is a vocal performance and her platform is titled, Choose a Cause, Make a Difference.
The pageant will be held Sunday October 6th, 2013 at 3:00PM at Keith Middle School in New Bedford. It is open to the public and tickets are $15 each. For more information, visit www.missnewbedford.org.
