Twenty-four-year-old Meara Seery of Brattleboro was crowned Miss Vermont on April 14 at the Spruce Mountain Performing Arts Center in Stowe.

Seery was one of 10 local titleholders competing for the job of the 79th Miss Vermont.
First runner-up was Sophia Parker who was previously crowned Miss Vermont’s (Outstanding) Teen 2015.
“I’m honestly still in shock,” Seery said. “I keep touching the sash to make sure that it’s real, and that it actually happened. I’m ecstatic. I’ve been preparing for this job for three years now and I’m just really, really grateful for the opportunity.”

Having competed for the title in 2022 and 2023, Seery said sometimes winning just takes some perserverance.
“I didn’t even place my first year of competing,” she said. “I was a hot mess, to be frank. But, last year I was 2nd runner-up and I decided to come back and I’m so glad that I did.”

With a Community Service Initiative called “Green for Good,” Seery plans to advocate for sustainable practices.

“My main goal is to educate Vermonters about what they can do to live more sustainable,” Seery said.

A lifelong Vermonter, Seery said she plans to add one experience that few from the Green Mountain State don’t have.

“I really want to learn how to ski and I feel like this is a good time to do it,” she said. “I don’t know how I haven’t learned to ski yet.”

While she’ll have plenty of time to do that before heading off to Miss America in January of 2025, Seery said she’ll also be dreaming of that national stage.

“I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like there. I felt so comfortable and confident on stage tonight, and I have no doubts that I will have a great time at Miss America.”

She’ll also be bringing her memories of competing for the state title.

“I would love to thank every single girl who competed this year, because we have such a unique environment in this organization. I have competed in other systems before, and this is a unique place. The board is wonderful, everyone here really cares about each other, and I am grateful for that.”

Also crowned was Miss Vermont’s Teen 2024 Charlee Royer, 15, who was 1st runner-up on the same stage last year.

Royer said she’s also eager to spread her CSI, Beyond The Ribbon, which supports the mental health of families of victims of cancer, across the Green Mountains. She said she started to feel like there was a chance she would win after picking up some of the other awards.

“You never really know. I had absolutely no idea,” Royer said. “But, I am so thankful for all of the awards that I got and all of the scholarships I’ve gotten over the last two years. It’s amazing.”

She said she is close to getting Beyond the Ribbon its 501(c)3 statues, and her new title will open up many possibilities.

“I really just want to inspire all of the other young women in Vermont and make them aware of this amazing opportunity,” she said. “I hadn’t even heard about the Miss Vermont Organization until last year. I just want all young women to sieze these opportunities. If they are as passionate about being a representative of Vermont as I am, they are going to thrive.”

Royer, naturally is also looking forward to next January.

“I’m so excited to meet all of my 2024 sisters,” she said. “I’m excited to bond with all of them.”

For more information, visit http://www.missvermont.org.