Maggie Leighton turned 17 on June 16, and got the best give she ever received when she was crowned Miss Massachusetts’ Teen, at the competition held in Fall River.
“Best birthday present ever,” she said. “I did not expect this.”
The Leominster High School student said she really enjoyed the competition and the other 15 contestants. Her day also started out a little frazzled.
“I woke up really early this morning, to do my hair and makeup, and I came in my interview dress because I thought I was having my interview really early,” she said. “But it turned out I didn’t have it until 1:30 so I had to change back into my comfy clothes. I was really nervous.”
Leighton described the moment of anticipation when she and eventual first runner-up Laila Hosnander (Miss Worcester County’s Teen) were holding hands and awaiting the final announcement.
“She was the best person to be out there with me,” she said. “We sat right next to each other [in the dressing room] and she was so supportive and so nice. She’s amazing.”
Leighton had competed twice in the Miss Massachusetts Teen USA competition before winning the Miss Cranberry Country’s Teen competition on April 7. In 2023, she placed as 4th runner-up at the USA competition, and in March of this year, was 3rd runner-up.
During the competition, she said she was confident, but also second-guessing herself a little.
“I was texting my parents during intermission, saying I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said, adding that her nerves were on edge when the top 5 was announced, and she was the last one called.
“That’s kind of scary,” she said. “It was weird, but a ‘whew’ moment.”
Leighton will be competing for the title of Miss America’s Teen in January 2025.
“It’s insanely exciting,” she said. “I’m pretty new to this organization, so I’m excited to be a titleholder for this state, and fulfill all of this duty.”
Leighton’s Community Service Initiative is Play On! Ensuring Access to Music Education.
“I’m such a big supporter of music organizations and education groups,” she said. “I feel like, as Miss Massachusetts’ Teen, I can do a lot more things around the Commonwealth. I would really like to plan more fundraisers and raise more awareness.”
Leighton gave a vocal performance of “Living On A Prayer.”
Her new title may cement her competition plans for the future, beyond 2025, as she said she’s liking the Miss America Organization quite a bit at the moment.
“I’m definitely biased now, but I love the talent portion,” she said. “I’ve done music for so long, it was kind of natural for me.”
For more information, visit www.mmaoteen.org.
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