8 Local Women Compete to Become Miss New Bedford and Win a $3,500 College Scholarship, Sept. 29

On Saturday September 29th, 8 young women from across Greater New Bedford will compete to become the next Miss New New Bedford. This year’s winner will receive a $3,500 college scholarship plus thousands of dollars in additional sponsored gifts and services to use throughout her year. Runners-up and special prize winners will also receive scholarship prizes.

The young woman who becomes Miss New Bedford will then devote her year of service to the local community, and to her chosen personal cause. She will embark on a year’s journey, joining a long sisterhood of women 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 $150,000 to winners and contestants. Contestants compete in five stages of scored competition: Interview, Talent, Lifestyle and Physical Fitness in Swimsuit, Evening Wear, and an On-Stage Question. The phases aim to test contestants on a variety of qualities that Miss New Bedford is expected to have, including confidence, intelligence, and a commitment to service.

The reigning Miss New Bedford 2018 is Sara Elizabeth Achorn. She is a sophomore at Bridgewater State University majoring in Special Education and Music. During her year of service, Sara made 90 appearances throughout the community and promoted her personal platform, “Progress Not Perfection,” which emphasized the importance making healthy lifestyle changes and choices. At the Miss Massachusetts pageant, Sara won the Miracle Maker Award for raising nearly $4,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. A talented vocalist, she also received the Most Talented Non-Finalist Award.

The pageant will be held Saturday September 29th, 2018 at 6:00PM at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, located at 1121 Ashley Blvd., in New Bedford. Tickets are $20 if reserved in advance or $25 when purchased at the door. To reserve tickets, email tickets@missnewbedford.org.

This year’s Miss New Bedford contestants are:

Sara Alfaro
Student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Age: 20
Platform: Stomping Out the Stigma Around Mental Illness
College Major: Psychology
Talent: Vocal/Piano

Meighread Dandeneau
Student at Fitchburg State University
Age: 19
Platform: Strength Over Silence
College Major: Communications Media
Talent: Vocal

Kenzie Farland
Student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Age: 20
Platform: You Are Limitless: Building A Positive Self-Image
College Major: Political Science / Pre-Law
Talent: Vocal

Alexis Ferreira
Graduate of Bridgewater State University
Age: 21
Platform: Unplug and be Present: Encouraging the Increase of Face-to-face Interactions
College Major: Received a BS in Psychology
Talent: Irish Step Dance

Mary O’Connor
Student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Age: 22
Platform: Creating Pathways: Promoting Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder Education and Awareness
College Major: Bioengineering
Talent: Belly Dance

Beatriz Ribeiro
Student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Age: 22
Platform: The Meaning of Health and Wellness
College Major: Photography
Talent: Vocal

Kimberly Souza
Student at Southern New Hampshire University
Age: 22
Platform: Healthy Smile, Healthy You
College Major: Healthcare Business Administration
Talent: Vocal

Megan Sylvia
Student at Bridgewater State University
Age: 20
Platform: Learning Begins with Literacy
College Major: Criminal Justice
Talent: Vocal