Miss New Bedford 2017 Contestants Announced
This is not the show to miss, folks! Get yourself to Voc-Tech on October 1st @ 6 PM! Tickets are $20 regular price and $15 with a student ID.
On Saturday October 1st, ten young women from Greater New Bedford will compete for the title of Miss New Bedford. This year’s winner will become the 64th woman to join a long sisterhood of Miss New Bedford’s whose lives have been changed by winning the crown. Since 1954, the pageant has awarded more than $135,000 to winners and contestants in the Miss America Organization.
An estimated $10,000 in scholarship monies and prizes will be awarded at this year’s pageant. The winner will receive a $3,500 educational scholarship, in addition to thousands of dollars in additional gift awards. Runners-up and special awards winners will also receive scholarships and awards.
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. Each contestant has also chosen her own personal ‘platform’ to advance, and if chosen, dedicate her year of service to.
And here are your Miss New Bedford 2017 Contestants!
Sara Achorn, 17
School: Old Rochester Regional High School
Platform: IMperfection: Pushing the Importance of Body Positivity In Today’s Youth
Career Ambition: Doctorate Degree in Expressive Art Therapy
Talent: Vocal
Catilyn Baker, 17
School: New Bedford High School
Platform: Rhythm for a Change: Music Therapy for Children with Disabilities
Career Ambition: Pediatrician
Talent: Vocal
Laura Bongiorno, 17
School: New Bedford High School
Platform: Mental Illness Awareness
Career Ambition: Masters in English and Youth Ministry
Talent: Vocal
Morgan Garcia, 19
School: Bristol Community College
Platform: Building and Supporting Art/Theatre Programs for Disabled Children
Career Ambition: Preschool Teacher
Talent: Presentation of Poem
Olivia Marques, 18
School: Westfield State University
Platform: We Rise By Lifting Others: Instilling the Values of Community Service
Career Ambition: Actress
Talent: Vocal
Kenzie Moniz, 20
School: Lesley University
Platform: Mind, Body, Spirit: A Holistic Approach to Health & Wellness
Career Ambition: English Teacher
Talent: Vocal
Alexandra Pimentel, 20
School: Bridgewater State University
Platform: Standing Up Against Bullying
Career Ambition: Teacher
Talent: Color Guard
Kimberly Lim Souza, 20
School: Southern New Hampshire University
Platform: Healthy Smile, Healthy You
Career Ambition: Doctorate in Dentistry
Talent: Vocal
Julie Duggan, 23
School: 2015 Graduate Johnson & Wales, Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Platform: #ActuallySheCan – Women’s Empowerment
Career Ambition: Marketing/Business Professional with a focus in tourism
Talent: Piano
Beatriz Ribeiro, 20
School: University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth
Platform: Stay Strong, Live Long
Career Ambition: Photography & Business
Talent: Dance
Additional Reporting by Sara Achorn
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