Caroline Parente holds the record for the longest reign as Miss Rhode Island’s (Outstanding) Teen, serving for two years, due to the pandemic, 2019 and 2020.
Apparently, she didn’t get enough of being a state titleholder, as her year as Miss Rhode Island began on May 23, when she earned that title.
“I’m feeling incredible. I’m feeling on top of the world,” she said, just minutes after being crowned. “I am just so humbled to have this wonderful opportunity, and I really can’t wait to get started.”
Caroline Parente’s vocal performance helped propel her to her new title of Miss Rhode Island 2023.Caroline Parente shows off her fitness in the athletic wear phase of competition.(Left to right) Fourth runner-up Brianna DeLuca, second runner-up Lindsey Arruda, Miss Rhode Island 2023 Caroline Parente, first runner-up Alexandria Capolio and third runner-up Rachel Terceira.A reunion took place between Miss Connecticut 2022 Sylvana Gonzalez (left), Miss Rhode Island 2022 Abby Mansolillo and Miss Massachusetts 2022 Katrina Kincade.Caroline Parente learns that she is the new Miss Rhode Island.Caroline Parente was crowned Miss Rhode Island 2023 at the Historic Park Theater in Cranston, R.I. on May 23.
The 21-year-old South Kingstown native said she is also excited for the Miss America competition, set for next January, with exact dates and location TBD.
“It’s surreal,” she said. “I can’t wait. I have been looking forward to this for so long.”
Among the endeavors Parente will be diving into is working with her Community Service Initiative, InvestHer: Igniting the Power of the Female Entrepreneur. She is teaming with the Nelson Center of Entrepreneurship at Brown University (where she is a rising senior) to develop a curriculum to implement in high schools to talk to young girls about how they can invest in their own futures and be successful.
Through the competition, Parente said she was nervous, as well as excited.
“I just really couldn’t wait to get back on the stage, and just give it my all,” she said. “I have the mentality of just giving 100% when I put myself on the stage, and whatever happens is meant to be. I’m excited that this is my time and I want to make the most out of my year, and do the best that I can.”
Parente said her time as Miss Rhode Island’s Teen certainly helped prepare her for her Miss role, and fueled her desire for more.
“I knew that I wanted to be back,” she said. “This organization is truly the most transformative experience in the world. Once you’re bitten by the pageant bug, you’re stuck. I’ve loved this organization and haven’t looked back.”
While waiting to embrace her friends and family, who were all in the audience wearing yellow, to match her evening gown, Parente said it’s that similar sense of family that keeps her involved in the Miss America Organization.
“It means grace, sisterhood and accomplishments,” Parente said. “It really is a sisterhood, not a competition. You meet the best friends you will ever meet in your entire life. It really is a family.”
Outlasting a field of 19 other extremely accomplished young ladies, Emma Gibney was crowned Miss Massachusetts’ Teen 2023 at BMC Durfee High School in Fall River on May 7.
Gibney was the first to hold the title of Miss Blackstone Valley’s Teen, which she won at the Miss Worcester County Competition on Feb. 18. She previously was the first to hold the title of Miss Worcester County’s Outstanding Teen 2022 (The Miss America organization dropped the “outstanding” from its teen titles earlier this year).
Calling the competition an “up and down” day, Gibney said she didn’t feel good about her private interview with the judges, but, apparently the judges disagreed, as they selected her via the final ballot, after she placed in the top five.
The daughter of Tim and Nicole Gibney, Emma is a 17-year-old junior at New Bedford High School, and a standout varsity tennis player.
When the last two standing were Gibney and Na’Shajia Montiero, the eventual winner said she still wasn’t thinking she would get the crown.
“I told her that I loved her. I told her that she would be a great Miss Massachusetts’ Teen, because, honestly, I didn’t think it was going to be me,” Gibney said. “I think every girl who was out here deserves the crown and deserves to be in that position. To be able to realize that it was me…it really hasn’t sunk in yet, but when it does, it’s going to be a great year, and I’m super-excited for it.”
When the final announcement was made, Gibney said she experienced several emotions.
“I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream, it was a lot of mixed emotions all at once,” she said. “I fell to the ground and I really didn’t think it was me. I thought they mixed up the cards, like a Steve Harvey moment, but it wasn’t, and I’m so happy to be here.”
Gibney plans to continue to work with her Community Service Initiative, S.T.A.Y – Start The Awareness Young, suicide prevention, which was inspired by the loss of her cousin, Tyler, to suicide in 2018. Her goal is to not only bring awareness to young people’s mental health issues, but to talk to legislators and advocate for more funding for the state’s suicide hotline, and she may now have the chance to bring that impact to a national level.
“I’m going to really bring that to the stage at Miss America’s Teen,” she said.
For her talent performance, Gibney dramatically performed an original spoken-word piece, titled “Stay,” that echoes her CSI while taking viewers on a journey of someone giving a loved one reasons to avoid taking their own life.
Gibney thanked her local program, including the support she’s received from her sister titleholders, Miss Worcester County Gabrielle Griffiths, Miss Blackstone Valley Natalie Erhensbeck and Miss Worcester County’s Teen Kayla O’Hara, as well as her family and good friends, many of whom were in the audience as she was crowned.
“They come to every single competition, and deal with my crying and my laughter and everything afterwards,” she said. “They’re really my backbone, and why I continue to compete and I why I’ve done well. Even this title here today is because of my local director [who happened to be this reporter], my local board, and all of my family and friends.”
When asked when it will sink in that she’ll compete for the national title, Gibney said, “probably in like a week.”
“I think it’s going to take a little bit for me to get used to,” she said.
Miss Massachusetts’ Teen Emma Gibney is surrounded by her local organization team (l-r) Miss Worcester County Scholarship Organization Director Steve Smith, Miss Worcester County’s Teen Kayla O’Hara, Gibney, Miss Blackstone Valley Natalie Erhensbeck, Miss Worcester County Gabrielle Griffiths and MWCSO Business Manager Dr. Brianna Munoz. Former Miss Massachusetts’ Teens pose for the traditional “crowning series” shot.The Miss Massachusetts’ Teen Top Five: (l-r) 4th runner-up Erica Parks, 2nd runner-up Faith O’Hanlon, Miss Massachusetts’ Teen 2023 Emma Gibney, 1st runner-up Na’Shajia Montiero, and 3rd runner-up Peyton Shepherd.The newly-crowned Miss Massachusetts’ Teen Emma Gibney blows kisses to her supporters in the audience.Emma Gibney (right) learns the shocking news that she is now Miss Massachuetts’ Teen.
It’s been a long road for the newest Miss New Hampshire. Brooke Mills competed in every year in which she was eligible, and finally won a state title. Starting as a teen, Mills later competed for the Miss New Hampshire title four previous times, and once for Miss South Carolina.
It could also be said that the crown is in her blood, as her mother, Stephanie Foisy Mills Ryan, was Miss New Hampshire 1995.
The soon-to-be-chiropractor (another way in which she’s following mom’s footprints) said there’s something to be said for perseverance, but also patiently waiting until it’s “your time.” Now, she plans to cherish every moment of her year, and has big plans.
“I want to hit the ground running,” she said. “I plan to leave this organization better than how I found it. I really feel like it’s helped me grow as a person, so I want to make sure we’re bringing on a lot more sponsors, that we are getting new contestants involved and making an easy path to getting involved, and bringing in more scholarship dollars.”
In fact, Mills has already earned more than $65,000 in scholarships, and is super close to completing her Doctor of Chiropractic degree. She walks in June, but officially graduates this fall.
“Dr.” Mills also has another plan for the autumn of 2023.
“In the first 100 days of the 2023-2024 school year, I’d like to speak to 100 classrooms about ‘Choose Health’ and make an impact however I can,” she said.
Mills’s Community Service Initiative includes tips for young people on how to live a healthy lifestyle, including mental health, which is a cause dear to the heart of the brain injury survivor.
“I’m still very passionate about concussion awareness,” she said. “I’m still working with that, and I founded national Concussion Awareness Day. But, I really felt like there was a greater need for education and resources relating to health and making sure our children have the inspiration and ability, and the understanding of how their daily choices and habits impact their overall life and well-being.”
The pillars of that initiative include sleep, movement, eating properly, living substance-free, and mental health.
“All of these things tie into creating a better opportunity for successful mental health and a better outlook on life,” Mills said.
While she says Miss New Hampshire week was again an incredible experience, she wasn’t quite sure how well she would fare when the final announcements were made.
“I couldn’t say I felt amazing about everything, but I didn’t have any regrets,” she said. “I really did the best that I could with everything, and I made sure I was staying kind to myself – reminding myself that I was mentally, physically and spiritually ready for this job, and if it was meant to be for me, then it would be in the cards.”
While awaiting that final bit of good news, she and eventual first runner-up Morgan Torre shared kinds words for each other.
“I kept telling her that she was incredible, she was amazing and she was valued,” she said. “There was one other time I was in that position, when I was first runner-up. That experience of having that moment, that we are both important and valued…was so important to me. I wanted to make sure we shared that moment of positivity.”
Brooke Mills stunned the crowd with her elegant red evening gown.Brooke Mills showed off her healthy lifestyle in the fitness wear phase of competition. Brooke Mills performed “Always Remember Us This Way” by Lady Gaga for her talent.Brooke Mills is crowned by Miss New Hampshire 2022, Sarah White.Brooke Mills, while holding hands with first runner-up Morgan Torre, learns that she is the new Miss New Hampshire.
Abby Mansolillo, 22, was crowned Miss Rhode Island 2022 at the Bishop McVinney Auditorium in Providence on May 1.
Mansolillo, a law student at Roger Williams University Law School, who will also be interning at the Attorney General’s office this summer, said she wanted the crown for quite a while.
“This has been a dream I’ve had since I was little,” she said. “I’m speechless. It’s an honor, it’s a privilege. I’m humbled. I’m actually afraid that it’s not real. I love this state. I’m thrilled. I’m so thrilled.”
The Smithfield native received her bachelor’s degrees in English and Women and Gender Studies.
Mansolillo was third runner-up to Miss Rhode Island 2018 and has competed in other systems, but said she’s looking forward to spreading the word about her Social Impact Initiative, Trust Your Gut, which is about advocating for one’s own healthcare.
Of course she’s also excited about the Miss America competition, slated to take place in late 2022.
“I’m excited to serve this state and represent Rhode Island at Miss America, and I want to be the very first Miss America from Rhode Island,” Mansolillo said.
During the competition, she said she was nervous, but that was a good thing.
“I was really excited, and I was nervous, of course,” she said. “But, as I say all the time, the day I’m not nervous is the day I stop, because that would mean it’s not important anymore. It was all-around incredible. The girls were phenomenal. I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls. It was an honor to share the stage with them. All of the competitors are smart, driven, intelligent, beautiful, and talented.”
Mansolillo was greeted by several Forever Miss Rhode Islands.Abby Mansolillo is shocked to learn that she is the new Miss Rhode Island.Miss Rhode Island 2022 Abby Mansolillo waves to the crowd for the first time with her newtitle. The law student gave a powerful spoken word performance about discrimination against women, in the talent portion of the competition. Abby Mansolillo makes her entrance as part of the competition’s opening number.Miss Vermont 2022 Alexina Federhen (left) and Miss Connecticut 2022 Sylvana Gonzalez (right) welcome Miss Rhode Island 2022 Abby Mansolillo to the sisterhood.Abby Mansolillo answered her question from the judges.
Alexina Federhen won the title of Miss Vermont 2022 at the competition held April 24 at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph.
Federhen said the moment she won was hard to believe.
“It didn’t feel real. I thought it was a dream,” she said, “and then I kept blinking my eyes, and the same picture showed. So, it was reality. I’m so excited. I can not wait to do so many things.”
Her plans for her year, naturally, include promoting her social impact initiative.
“My main goal is promoting mental health awareness. I am so passionate about it, as someone who has struggled with mental health, and I know how debilitating and how alone it feels. I want to be that person to talk about it.”
Federhen competed with six other talented and accomplished young women, and also hopes she can inspire many more to compete next year.
“I also want to encourage young women to become involved in this organization, because it has made me who I am today. Even if you don’t win, the amount of growth and tools this organization gives young women allows them to succeed in any spectrum.”
Federhen should know, as she was Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen in 2014. She said it hasn’t really sunk in yet that she’ll compete for the Miss America crown later this year.
“I know I’m going, and I can’t wait,” she said, “but I think what I’m most excited about is to re-live and relish in the moment of meeting all of the other misses. When I was a teen, I think I was a little young and didn’t quite take advantage of the sisterhood that exists. I really want to relish every moment, meet as many girls as possible, and make some life-long friends.”
Abagail Hunter was crowned Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen at the same competition. She said she also felt that the moment was surreal, as it was her first competition.
“I couldn’t believe it. It’s my first year competing and I’m so excited to see where this year will take me,” she said. “I really hope to spread positivity, inspire people to be what they want to be, and use my social impact initiative (Pursue the ARTS: Building Acceptance, Respect, Tolerance, and Safety) to make sure everyone can perform in the arts and contribute.”
Hunter, a senior at Poultney High School also said she’s excited to compete at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, which was recently announced to be taking place in Dallas, Texas in August.
“I’m really excited to meet everyone, throughout my year,” she said. “I feel like it’s probably going to sink in tomorrow, when I’m sitting at my desk at school, and I’ll just be like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen!’”
Alexina Federhen expresses her gratitude as she is crowned Miss Vermont 2022.Alexina Federhen said she was in disbelief as she learned she was the new Miss Vermont.Abagail Hunter is crowned Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen 2022 by Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen 2021 Emma Anderson.Alexina Federhen stunned in an elegant white gown during the red carpet phase of competition.Abagail Hunter word a blue-violet gown that looked great under the lights at the Chandler Center in Randolph.Alexina Federhen performs a song in the talent phase of the competition.Abagail Hunter dances during the talent portion of the competition.The Miss Vermont sisterhood featured ten former Miss Vermonts and their newly-crowned Miss Vermont 2022.The traditional ‘crowning succession shot’ features 8 former Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teens, and their new sister, Abagail Hunter.The (to date) entire Miss America class of 2023 – Miss Vermont Alexina Federhen and Miss Connecticut Sylvana Gonzalez.Alexina Federhen was crowed Miss Vermont 2022 in Randolph.
New England Pageant News was able to sit with several of the Miss America candidates – from New England and beyond – to talk about being part of the 100th Miss America competition, how the phases have treated them so far, and the camaraderie or sisterhood among the women from across the country.
“I’m having the time of my life,” said Miss Massachusetts Elizabeth Pierre. “It’s been really awesome getting to spend time with the fifty other candidates competing for this job. Stepping on the stage yesterday was just insane, and I’m just really proud of the performance I’m putting out there so far.”
“I can’t believe I’m here,” said Miss Rhode Island Leigh Payne. “I still can’t believe I won Miss Rhode Island, so to be here has been even more of an overwhelming happy, fun experience.”
Performing their talents on the Miss America stage – something they all had practiced ad infinitum – was a dream come true. While some said they are experiencing nervousness at times, none said anxiety was any sort of a hindrance.
“It was absolutely incredible,” said Miss New Hampshire Ashley Marsh. “My second year of dance, I actually tap danced to a song called ‘Someday I’ll Be Miss America,’ so it’s always been a dream to tap dance on the Miss America stage. I really never thought it would happen, and it happened last night. It was truly the best feeling to be up on that stage.”
“It was amazing,” said Miss Connecticut Sapna Raghavan, who performed a traditional Indian dance, which she choreographed herself, to a musical piece she also put together. “It was so special, because the audience was pretty quiet. I’m used to an Indian audience who is keeping track with me, who knows [the style] and is with me. I could tell this audience was thinking ‘What am I watching,’ which I personally like to do the most. I like to be like, ‘Ha-ha! Here I am!”
“During dress rehearsal, I always get the jitters and nerves, and backstage I always get nervous, but once I hit the stage, I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I’m having so much fun,'” Pierre said.
“I was really surprised,” Payne said, after answering the judges’ questions on stage, and presenting her Social Impact Initiative. “It was enjoyable throughout the entirety of the preliminary. I enjoyed the moment on stage. There was no shakiness of the knees, and that was a first for me.”
Miss New York Sydney Park won the preliminary talent award for her spoken word poem, during which she also played a character, of sorts, which was maybe part of herself.
“Every time I’ve performed that talent, I’ve tried to listen to different types of music to set the tone for when I go out there,” Park said. “Performing poetry is about being present and speaking the feelings that you’re feeling. I think all of us have that extra character, that is someone we wish was our bodyguard. It’s the person who we wish, when we get the wrong order at a restaurant, would speak up for us. That comes out every once in a while, and it’s just important to remember that you have a backbone too. When I’m performing that talent, I just want to be that person – that person I would have wanted to look up to when I was a little girl.”
The candidates also shared their thoughts on how this big moment in their lives will stick with them, and perhaps help shape their growth.
“Coming from a small state, there is just not anything like this [in Vermont],” said Miss Vermont Danielle Morse. “So, I think just knowing how something so big – on such a large scale – can run. Six months from now I’m just going to be so proud to represent my absolutely favorite state, where I was born and raised.”
“It’s absolutely the people that I met. I have two best friends [Miss Virginia Tatum Sheppard and Miss West Virginia Jaelyn Wratchford] who I’ve met in this organization. I love all of these women, but Jaelyn and Tatum – we’re like this little trio, and I’m excited to see all that we accomplish together,” Pierre said.
“I think it’s the preparation for Miss America – it really makes you step back and think about yourself,” Raghavan said, “what you’re passionate about and what makes you tick – what makes you excited in the morning. I think every woman can agree with that. We’re doing so many things we hardly get time to think about ourselves. I think I’ve really found my voice, and I’m unapologetically me.”
The private interview, the candidates said, may have revealed something about what the judges will be looking for when deciding who the 100th Miss America will be.
“I went to a very professional school in a big city….so I had just come out of interviewing for internships and jobs, and I told the judges that Miss America brought a lot of joy back into my life,” Payne said. “I’ve been very technical for a few years, so that was very genuine. It’s really just a really happy experience. I’ve gotten in touch with that side of myself again, and I was able to communicate that.”
“I think it went really well. I got to say most of the things I wanted to say,” Park said. “What I was kind of seeing is that they are looking for what a modern woman in America would be like, and who can represent that best.”
“The judges are so fun, and they’re there to have a good time and to get to know us. I got asked a lot about myself,” Pierre said. “They are 1,000-percent looking for someone with a plan, someone who knows what they want to accomplish or how they want to accomplish it. I think I did a good job in portraying that.”
“I absolutely love the panelists that we have this year, so I think I was just so excited to go talk to them. I shared who I was and what makes Ashley Ashley,” Marsh said. “I think they’re just looking for someone who is ready for the job, who is ready to start day one promoting their social impact as Miss America, and someone who cares about the program and the service aspect of it.”
“It was awesome, and I was so shocked,” Raghavan said. “I had thought that I might not get the questions I want. I think they were very receptive to diversity. A lot of the themes in the interview were around diversity and inclusivity, which is the legacy I want to leave. It felt very much that they were on the same page – that it’s what they wanted to talk about.”
“Walking out, I was thinking it’s not me that they want, but that’s okay,” Morse said. “I got asked about firefighting and the children’s hospital – things I’m used to talking about, so that was nice. I honestly don’t think I got to show my heart as much as I wish I had.”
Perhaps most of all, the candidates are enjoying their time getting to know each other, sharing silly and fun moments, and forming that sisterhood that is central to the experience for them.
“People seem to bond over their talents and the things they have going on,” Pierre said. “Miss Indiana Braxton Hiser and Tatum, Miss Virginia, realized they were both theatre kids, so basically every day now, they go into a song-and-dance from a different musical, and give everyone a show, so that’s really fun.”
“We were wearing masks, and I tried to eat my soup through my mask,” Raghavan said. “I had soup all over my mask all day. There have been a lot of funny jokes- all the girls are so fun.”
“We were rehearsing a few days ago, and we came out and were standing around in our walking pattern. All of a sudden, everyone starts singing – we were just singing the theme songs to Disney shows and clapping hands. It was so genuine, and we all knew it. Something like that can only happen her, so that was really special.”
“It was really exciting to watch Sydney Park, Miss New York, win her talent prelim,” Morse said. “We’ve been close, so it was great to see my friend’s accomplishment.”
UPDATE: More candidates interviewed
Miss Nevada Macie Tuell said she’s extremely grateful for the experience. She competed for title of Miss Nevada seven times (!) before winning the state crown in her last year of eligibility.
“It was a whirlwind, especially after doing this, including the COVID year, for nine years,” Tuell said. “I was told ‘no’ seven different times. Finally, hearing ‘yes’ on the eighth time, finally getting to stand on the Miss America stage, let alone the 100th anniversary Miss America stage, is an honor – it’s very humbling to represent my home.”
Tuell, who had played the violin for most of her competition career, chose this time to sing Queen’s “Somebody to Love” as her talent.
“I feel good about it. I’m proud of how much work I’ve put into my preparation,” she said. “I decided to do something my heart feels more passionate about, and do a vocal performance. I am a Classic Rock kind of girl. Classic songs have always been in my upbringing. I knew it was important for me to do something that I grew up loving and I grew up singing. When I stepped on that stage, I could feel every beat and every lyric to that song.”
Tuell said the panelists were very serious about their job in the interview room.
“I walked out as though that was the best interview of my entire life,” she said. “They are looking for someone who is going to take this seriously as a career, because being Miss America is a full-time job. They want someone who is dedicated and willing to serve. They want someone with a plan.”
Like others, Tuell said the friendships are what will have the most lasting impact on her, after the crowning.
“They will genuinely last me a lifetime. There’s been a lot of time to get to know these girls – getting to know their stories. I’ve learned a little bit from each girl that I will take along with me in my life,” she said. “That, and I’ve proved to myself that I’m capable of accomplishing my dreams.”
Miss Washington Maddie Louder said her dance also meant a lot to her, because she has dealt with an eating disorder, which has caused her to be very ill in the past. To perform a dance with such physical effort was, in itself, a triumph for her.
“I started realizing that the voices who told me I wasn’t good enough – not only in the dance school, who told me I wasn’t good enough to dance unless I lost weight – but also the voices in my own mind, that said you won’t be good enough. I do that dance just for me now, just to dance because I love to dance. It’s about how I breath and how I express myself,” she said.
Louder didn’t get a clear sense of what the judges were looking for in the interview room, instead just enjoying the moment.
“I laughed with them, I cried with them, I shared my heart with them. All I can be is me, and show them my best self. From that point on, it’s in their hands whether they think I’d do the job of Miss America,” she said.
In the future, Louder said, she’ll look back at the emotional experience from the competition.
“No one prepares you for it. It is a whirlwind of emotions,” she said. “From the highs and lows, to feeling anxious from the pressures of the week, or the pressure you put on yourself before you go on stage. I’m trying to put all those feelings aside, but also knowing that I’m human, and at the end of the day, trying to lean into that vulnerability as a human being.”
Miss District of Columbia Andolyn Medina said she felt great after preliminaries, and did the absolute best that she could, and that lead to a little sigh of relief. She said she chose her song, a soulful rendition of “Summertime,” because it has multiple layers of meaning to her.
“It’s from the opera Porgy and Bess, and it’s one of the first African-American operas, and it’s set in South Carolina, which is where my mom’s side of the family is from,” she said. “When you hear some of the current renditions of ‘Summertime,’ you hear that jazz and that soul, so when I sing it, I’m singing an operatic version, but it reminds me of my family, my Southern ties, and the whole story of the song is of your parents and family members believing in you and wanting you to succeed.”
The biggest thing Median thinks she’ll take from this experience is learning the resilience that her fellow candidates have had, as well as her own.
“After the year that we’ve had, to be that passionate for something and hold onto that passion for so long, I think that’s what I’m going to remember the most,” she said, adding that she’s also learned to be more patient with things she can’t control.
“Coming into this year as Miss DC, it’s really changed my lens, to where I want to enjoy and make the most of all the little moments that I have, instead of critiquing the moments that I don’t have.”
Medina said that as soon as she met her Miss America sisters at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition last summer, she recalled hearing from former candidates about how the sisterhood forms and that at least some of them would become her best friends.
“I sat there and thought ‘Who’s going to be my friend? Who am I going to get close to?’” she said. “It’s hard to imagine that you get that close that quick, but you look at our class and it’s happened!”
Miss Massachusetts Elizabeth Pierre said she’s excited to perform her dance, which is dedicated to her family, on the Miss America stage.Miss Rhode Island Leigh Payne said she’s really found her voice through the Miss America program. Miss New Hampshire Ashley Marsh said performing her tap dance on the Miss America stage was a childhood dream come true.Miss Vermont Danielle Morse said that whatever else happens, she’s simply proud to represent the state she loves.Preliminary talent winner Miss New York Sydney Park said she channeled another part of herself to perform her spoken word piece.Miss Connecticut Sapna Raghavan said she was “unapologetically herself” when she performed her traditional Indian dance on the Miss America Stage.Miss Nevada Macie Tuell said she hopes to spread her ‘magic therapy’ across the country.Miss District of Columbia Andolyn Medina said her class has bonded quickly and strongly.
Elizabeth Pierre’s first pageant was the Miss Boston/Miss Cambridge competition in 2020, in which she won the Beantown suburb’s title. After a 17-month wait, she was crowned Miss Massachusetts 2021 on July 17, and is aiming to take the Miss America title this December.
Twenty-three women from across the commonwealth competed in the two-day pageant, which was described as one of the most competitive in recent history.
First runner-up was Kristina Ayanian, Pierre’s “sister queen” and Miss Boston, and the two shared a couple of thoughts while they were waiting for that final announcement.
“We were just saying how proud we are, because we started the journey together,” Pierre said. “So, being on the Miss Massachusetts stage as the last two holding hands was such a full-circle moment.”
Pierre said she plans to spend her year promoting her social impact initiative, We Hear You, which empowers young people.
“It’s about empowering young voices,” she said. “I really want young people to become the leaders that they are, especially in this world right now, where we’re so divided and so polarized.”
The daughter of Haitian immigrants, Pierre is the first of her family to be born in the U.S. She said she is excited to visit Haiti one day.
She added that she wants to understand her family and their culture, and feels for the Haitians who are currently experiencing troubled times.
“I think the country is really struggling, and it’s really sad. As the first free black nation, we never really had the opportunity to celebrate that,” she said. “Moving forward, I hope we can find some stability, and be able to be a nation on its own.”
Pierre said she decided to compete in her first local almost a year-and-a-half ago, because she loved the Miss America Organization’s talent phase of competition. A classically-trained dancer, Pierre said she gave it a shot, just “for fun.”
“I ended up with the title and now, after a year of a lifetime, I’m excited to continue,” she said. “I’m so excited to go to Miss America. It’s the 100th year! I’m excited to be able to join the 100th class, represent the commonwealth, and hopefully be the first Miss Massachusetts to take home the crown.”
Elizabeth Pierre performed a contemporary lyrical dance in the talent phase of the competition.
Stunning in a hot pink gown, Elizabeth Pierre competes in the red carpet phase of the competition.
Elizabeth Pierre reacts to the news that she is the new Miss Massachusetts.
Elizabeth Pierre said she can’t wait to perform on the Miss America stage.
Elizabeth Pierre is crowned Miss Massachusetts 2021 by Miss Massachusetts 2019 and 2020 Lyndsey Littlefield.
First runner-up Kristina Ayanian (Miss Boston) and eventual winner Elizabeth Pierre (Miss Cambridge) give a shout to their shared local committee before the final announcement.
Miss Massachusetts 2019/2020 Lyndsey Littlefield held her own “Show Us Your Shoes” parade, with the help of her father.
Leigh Payne was crowned Miss Rhode Island and Alexa Johnsen was crowned Miss Rhode Island’s Outstanding Teen at the competition held in Providence on June 13.
“It’s surreal,” Payne said, describing the camaraderie and closeness with the volunteers and other candidates over the three days of rehearsing and interviews. “It’s amazing to have family and loved ones around. The Miss America Organization is one that supplies mentors and support. It’s a common theme, but it’s true. I’m just incredibly grateful.”
Payne, a student at George Washington University, had competed once before, in the Outstanding Teen competition in 2016, and said this experience brought back memories and good feelings of that one.
“I was surprised at how similar if feels all these years later,” she said. “The board is truly a family, and these girls are very supportive.”
Payne, a Barrington native, said she’s learned to appreciate what her new title means, and hopes she can bring people together.
“My appreciation has grown over the years. People have become more individualized, and the Miss America Organization emphasizes community, as people drift further and further away from that. So, it emphasizes social involvement, and a love for your state and community. I love the Ocean State and it will be an honor to represent it nationally.”
Payne said her social impact – supporting small businesses – is something she hopes to become even more involved in across the state.
“I heard the statistics are very dire for the success of small business, and job growth is on track to do better in Rhode Island, but it could be better [than that],” Payne said. “I would love the opportunity to meet with the governor. I would love to meet as many people as possible who are involved with the economy of Rhode Island. I am an economics major and it would be an honor to meet with them.”
Johnsen, a junior at North Kingstown High School, said it took a moment to sink in that she had won.
“I thought they called the wrong name at first,” she said. “It took a second for me to realize they called my name. I walked forward but it felt like a dream. I couldn’t believe it happened.”
In about six weeks, Johnsen will compete for the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen in Orlando, Florida.
“It’s crazy. I started thinking about it when they put the crown on my head, and I said, ‘I have to prepare hard now,'” she said. “When school ends on June 24, hopefully I’ll have more time to prepare.”
Johnsen said maintaining her social media and recruiting other future candidates will be some of the things she’ll be working on soon. She’ll also push her platform of cleaning up the oceans of plastic marine debris – suiting for the Ocean State titleholder.
“I’m going to try to get some legislation passed to reduce the plastic footprint in Rhode Island,” the ambitious teen said.
Johnsen said she plans to take the advice Molly Andrade, Miss Rhode Island 2019 and 2020, gave all the candidates – to relish each second of her year.
“I’m looking forward to the entire experience….because it really will be gone in a flash.”
The newly crowned titleholders smile for the audience.
Leigh Payne learns that she is the new Miss Rhode Island.
(L-r) Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen Isabel Povey Miss Rhode Island Leigh Payne, Miss New Hampshire Ashley Marsh, Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen Tess O’Riordan and Miss Rhode Island’s Outstanding Teen Alexa Johnsen.
Carolyn Brady was crowned Miss Maine 2019 at the competition held at the Freeport Arts Center on June 22.
Brady, a native Philadelphian, and the first black woman to be crowned Miss Maine, was shouting to herself as Miss Maine 2018 Olivia Mayo was crowning her.
“I literally burst into tears, but then I was telling myself ‘You’ve got to get it together, because you only get a crowning moment once,'” she said. “I can’t be a hysterical mess in the middle of the stage.”
Brady, a student at Bowdoin University, previously competed in the Miss Pennsylvania competition, where she was second runner-up in 2017.
She said it was a bullying experience in college that compelled her to compete. She said Maine has really become home for her, and she was filled with that feeling when the final announcement happened.
“I was simply overcome with love and emotion for all of the support this state has shown me over the past four years,” she said.
Brady said she’s not related to Tom Brady, but also has her football loyalties in check.
“I’m not a fan of the Eagles…because I was told I am supposed to say that,” she joked.”I was also taught to say, ‘lobstah.'”
The energetic titleholder said she has many ideas for her year as Miss Maine, including expanding opportunities for volunteers at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital and creating an expedited peer-to-peer volunteer positions for other titleholders.
She also hopes to expand the Miss Maine program, adding sponsors, volunteers and candidates for the future.
Jane Lipp, a 16-year-old resident of New Gloucester and a rising junior at Greeley High School in Cumberland, won the title of Miss Maine’s Outstanding Teen at the same competition.
Lipp said she worked really hard and although she has danced and sang all of her life, this is her first step into the pageant world.
“It’s something different. I’m learning,” she said. “I love having the tight-knit community of girls and empowering other women. I’m excited for the ride I’m going to be on in the next year.”
Lipp said she’s very excited to be competing for the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen in slightly more than a month.
“I have heard so many great stories, and I am looking forward to talking with the other state titleholders,” she said, adding that she also hopes to inspire more Mainers her age to get involved in their communities.
“I want to educate other kids in high school to be more civically-minded,” she said, “Specifically to teach them how to have their own drives with other organizations to learn about non-profit organizations and giving back to other people in need.”
For more information, visit missmaine.org.
Miss Maine 2018 Olivia Mayo gave a hauntingly beautiful rendition of “Send In The Clowns” as her farewell performance.
Jane Lipp shows off her fitness.
Carolyn Brady learns that she will represent Maine at the Miss America competition.
Several Forever Miss Maines lined up for the traditional crowning shot.
Jane Lippe, a 16-year-old Greeley High School junior was crowned Miss Maine’s Outstanding Teen.
(L-r) Miss New Hampshire Sarah Tubbs, Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen Lindiana Frangu, Miss Rhode Island’s Outstanding Teen Caroline Parente and Miss Rhode Island Molly Andrade.
Carolyn Brady performs on her violin in the talent portion of the competition.
Accomplished dancer Macy Grant showed off her moves in her farewell talent performance.
Molly Andrade won the Miss Congeniality award at the Miss Rhode Island competition on May 5. She also happened to win the title of Miss Rhode Island 2019.
Andrade, 20, had competed the past two years, and was first-runner up in 2017.
A competitive Irish Step dancer, Andrade wowed the crowd (which included Miss CT Bridget Oei, also a world-level Irish stepper) and earned the points from the judges to also capture the dance and overall talent awards.
“I’m incredibly grateful and so excited for this opportunity,” Andrade said, adding that if she doesn’t capture the national title, one of her main goals is to increase participation in the Rhode Island program.
“I want to bring as many women as possible to this organization and increase the amount of scholarships we give out,” she said.
She also has plans to help implement a self-defense course at every high school in Rhode Island. She developed her platform after a friend was assaulted.
“My best friend was sexually assaulted in high school,” Andrade said. “After seeing the lifelong effect it’s had on her, I knew I had to do something. I took a self-defense class in high school. One in eight women Rhode Island will be sexually assaulted. We need to act.”
Andrade said she’s also excited for everything, including appearances and the partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
“I’m just excited to have a great year and a wonderful opportunity,” she said. “It’s incredible. I’m excited to see what the next steps are for Miss America.”
Caroline Parente, 17, was crowned Miss Rhode Island’s Outstanding Teen at the same pageant. She said she decided to try a pageant for the first time, after seeing the effect it had on her childhood friend, Miss Rhode Island’s Outstanding Teen 2018 Macie Johnson.
“I just saw how much the program did for her, and how it was an amazing program, basically through social media, and I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of,” she said.
Parente is from South Kingstown, and goes to South Kingstown High School. She was also enthused about the year ahead.
“This is absolutely incredible. I am so humbled. This opportunity means the world to me, and I can’t wait to get started,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working on my platform and working with Molly, because she’s so intelligent.”
Parente’s platform is The Ripple Effect: Rising To Initiate Prevention and Positive Lifestyles Through Education.
“Basically, I want to educate all youth on how to educate their peers about substance abuse, because youth really do make the difference in this,” she said, adding that she is an intern for a national government coalition for the program.
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