New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
14 contenders took to the stage Saturday at the 7th 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 a year of a lifetime.
Jordan St. Onge, a 15-year-old sophomore at Fairhaven High School, impressed the judges with her confidence, public speaking abilities, stage presence, poise, and talent as an Irish Step Dancer.
In addition to winning the title and a $500 scholarship, Jordan also received the Interview Award ($100 scholarship), and was one of two tied winners of the Talent Award ($50 scholarship) for receiving the highest scores in these categories. She also received hundreds of dollars in gifts donated to her by community partners, as well as paid entry to compete at the Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen pageant in April, where she will have the chance to win additional scholarships and prizes.
Throughout her year-long reign, Jordan will serve the City of New Bedford and its surrounding communities as a youth role model and an active volunteer. She will dedicate her year of service to her personally selected platform which focuses on supporting lung cancer patients and their families, primarily through the assistance of the American Lung Association. She hopes to partner with this organization to fundraise for cancer research and spread awareness of primary prevention of lung cancer throughout the community.
The pageant is a “little sister” program to the annual Miss New Bedford scholarship pageant. Similar to the Miss New Bedford pageant, contestants began the competition, held at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School on Saturday January 14th, in a private interview with a panel of five judges. At 6:00, the on-stage competition continued with contestants competing in the remaining phases of competition: Lifestyle & Physical Fitness, Talent, Evening Wear, and On-Stage Question.
In addition to naming this year’s titleholder, the pageant showcased 14 other outstanding teens from across Greater New Bedford, ages 13-17 years old. Additional award recipients included:
• Winner and recipient of a $500 scholarship was Jordan St. Onge. She also received the Talent Award, and Interview Award as stated previously above.
• First runner-up and recipient of a $250 scholarship was Chelsea Gomes
• Second runner-up and recipient of a $200 scholarship was Victoria Kalisz
• Third runner-up and recipient of a $150 scholarship was Alexandra Soares
• Fourth runner-up and recipient of a $100 scholarship was Ashley Clark
• Fine Arts Scholarships were awarded to Emma Gendreau and Victoria Kalisz
• Community Service Scholarship was awarded to Rachel Perry
• Miracle Maker Award was received by Kaylee Frias Martin
• Scholastic Excellence Award was received by Rachel Perry
• Committee Award was received by Antonia Moquin
• Spirit of Outstanding Teen was awarded to 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.
