Press Release
On Saturday January 19th, 15 young women will compete to become the next Miss New Bedford’s Outstanding Teen. The pageant will take place at 6:00 p.m. at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, located at 1121 Ashley Boulevard in New Bedford.
A local preliminary competition to the Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen scholarship programs, the pageant offers scholarships, plus leadership and service opportunities to those who participate. The winner will receive a $500 educational scholarship, hundreds of dollars in additional prizes, and entry into the state pageant. Runners-up and special awards winners will also receive scholarship money and awards.
Contestants compete in five stages of scored competition: a private six-minute Interview, Talent, Physical Fitness, Evening Wear, and On-Stage Question. Each contestant is expected to demonstrate confidence and drive, academic excellence, and a commitment to service. Further, each contestant has chosen her own personal ‘platform,’ or cause, which she will promote and advance during her year.
Fifteen teens will vie for the title of Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen on January 19, from L-R, TOP TO BOTTOM: Marcie Araujo, Emma Boudreau, Ericka Correia, Alyssa Costa, Victoria Fernandes, Kieyana Fleming, Emma Gendreau, Lilly LaFountain, Samantha Masse, Emma Pimentel, Victoria Perry, Juliette Simmons, Alexandra Soares, Abigail Sousa. Photos courtesy of Andrew Gallagher Studios.
The reigning Miss New Bedford’s Outstanding Teen is Victoria Kalisz. During her year, Victoria made more than 220 appearances throughout the community. Her year of service was devoted to her personal platform, “Rise Up: You Are Stronger Than You Think,” inspired by her own personal journey of strength, self-discovery, and success out of challenge and adversity.
Her platform allowed her to serve as a role model to persons of all ages, while donating countless hours of volunteer service to communities throughout Greater New Bedford. She also raised monies throughout her year to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Victoria also represented New Bedford in the Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen pageant where she placed as third runner-up.
Tickets purchased in advance are $20 for adults and $15 for children/seniors. At the door, all tickets for patrons of all ages will be a flat rate of $20. You may reserve tickets by contacting tickets@missnewbedford.org or 508-971-9564.
This year’s contestants are:
Marcie Araujo, a 14-year-old eighth grader at Normandin Middle School. She will sing for her talent and her platform is titled “Read… Lead… Succeed!!!,” promoting the importance of books in a digital world.
Emma Boudreau, a 16-year-old junior at Apponequet Regional High School. She will perform a contemporary dance for her talent and her platform is titled, “This is Me: Understanding and Coming to Terms with Teenage Mental Health Issues.”
Ericka Correia, a 15-year-old freshman at Apponequet Regional High School. She will tap dance for her talent, and her platform is titled, “Next Stop, Broadway,” emphasizing the performing arts to build self-esteem and confidence.
Alyssa Costa, a 14-year-old eighth grader at Hastings Middle School. She will sing for her talent and her platform focuses on preventing animal cruelty and abuse.
Emma Gendreau, a 14-year-old freshman at New Bedford High School. Her talent is a musical theatre dance performance and her platform is titled, “Needs in Action,” providing opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Victoria Fernandes, a 15-year-old sophomore at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. She will tap dance for her talent and her platform is titled, “Unification Through Beautification,” promoting the importance of taking care of our environment.
Kieyana Fleming, a 15-year-old freshman at New Bedford High School. She will perform a contemporary dance for her talent and her platform is titled, “Love the Skin You’re In,” promoting a positive body image.
Lilly LaFountain, a 13-year-old eighth grader at Ford Middle School. She will sing for her talent and her platform encourages others to get involved in their communities and embrace the values of volunteerism.
Hannah Lima, a 14-year-old eighth grader at St. James St. John School. She will sing for her talent and her platform is titled, “Volunteerism — Building Strong Communities by Offering the Gift of Time.”
Samantha Masse, a 17-year-old junior at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. She will sing for her talent and her platform is titled, “Embrace Me,” which focuses on teaching young girls to love who they are, inside and out.
Victoria Perry, a 14-year-old freshman at Old Rochester Regional High School. She will sing for her talent and her platform is titled, “Don’t Get Ticked,” promoting Lyme Disease education.
Emma Pimental, a 17-year-old junior at Bishop Stang High School. She will sing for her talent and her platform focuses on emphasizing mental health education and awareness in teens.
Juliette Simmons, a 16-year-old junior at Fairhaven High School. She will perform a contemporary dance for her talent and her platform is titled “Healing Emotions Through ARTS (HeARTS),” promoting individuality through creative self-expression.
Alexandra Soares, a 16-year-old junior at New Bedford High School. She will perform a contemporary dance for her talent and her platform is titled, “Dance to Enhance: Creating a Better Version of Yourself Through the Performing Arts.”
Abigail Souza, a 14-year-old freshman at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. She will sing for her talent, and her platform is titled, “Hypertension Awareness in Today’s Youth: Educate, Diagnose, Conquer!”
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