New Miss Fall River, Outstanding Teen Crowned for 2023

Two local women were crowned to represent the Spindle City for this year's Miss Fall River/Outstanding Teen Scholarship Competition.

Megan Sylvia of New Bedford took home the title of Miss Fall River 2023 and Na’shajia Monteiro is your new Miss Fall River Outstanding Teen for 2023.

Olivia Marques hosted the night as the newest local director for the Miss Fall River Scholarship Organization, as 14 contestants took the stage and gave their all in front of a live audience.

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In the front row were 10 judges, five for each competition. I'm proud to say that I held one of the seats on the panel. This was my first time judging a scholarship competition on the level of Miss America. I went in blind with a vow to judge fair and precisely and left with a whole new outlook on the organization.

From the one-on-one interviews to the talent and questionnaire, all the contestants left everything on stage in hopes of bringing home the 2023 title. I witnessed firsthand the hard work that it took to put this event on, not only from the contestants but from the staff and volunteers. The judges worked diligently and being able to critique each person was rewarding because it's not about putting anyone down. It's about helping them better themselves so they can push forward.

Two lives were changed for the better that night and knowing I helped with the final decision-making was enriching. Both Sylvia and Monteiro will now have the chance to continue down the path for the next titles, Miss Bristol County, Miss Massachusetts and, eventually, Miss America.

I'll conclude with this: Whatever you think you know about the Miss America Organization, you're missing out on the bigger picture. The contestants were a breath of fresh air.

I give every woman who stood in front of the judging panel on Saturday so much credit and to say I'm proud is an understatement.