Wow, it has been such a long time since I have posted and I figured no better time than the present to update you all on my journey throughout the Miss NH Scholarship Program. Last week we competed for Miss New Hampshire and the NEW Miss New Hampshire Regan Elizabeth Hartley (my sister title) was crowned on Saturday April 30, 2011.
It couldn't have been a better week and I will cherish each memory. I had the opportunity to make new friendships and strengthen older ones .We started off the week Tuesday morning when our parents dropped us off at the hotel, we began our Miss NH adventure by having our orientation meeting were Audra Burns a former Miss NH spoke with us about her experience. It was a very inspirational speech one I will never forget. We also created anonymous cards for each other were we wrote what we thought of one another. After our orientation meeting we headed to WMUR and toured the studio and also had a chance to watch the 12 o'clock news. We all had so much fun and even made the news! After WMUR we went to Margaritas and had lunch and then headed to the school for rehearsal.
Wednesday was the dreaded interview day and I was fortunate enough to be one of the later interviews. I felt prepared and confident within myself and my platform so I was not too anxious about interview. I felt my interview went the best it could possibly go. After interviews we headed back to the school for more rehearsals
Thursday was the first night of preliminary competitions and I competed in Swimsuit and Evening wear. I felt confident within myself and I absolutely LOVED my gown. The winners that night were my good friend Megan Lyman who won preliminary swim wear and rightfully so! (She looked amazing!) Alyssa Mclaughlin who is also one of my great friends won preliminary talent...which if you saw her twirl you would understand why.
Friday was the second night of preliminary competitions and my personal favorite talent night! I performed "Listen" from the movie Dream Girls and I was pleased with my performance. I am such a perfectionist that I know it will never be perfect but at least I did my best. The winners of the preliminary awards were Rebecca Rendina who won swimsuit and let me just say how excited I was for her. She is such an amazing person and deserved that award! I remember watching her on the TV rooting her on, I was so proud! The winner of the preliminary talent award was Lauren April who play the classical guitar.....I wish I could play like that girl! I also wanted to give some shout outs to talents that I thought were well worthy of recognition. First off Megan Lyman’s tap routines always make me wonder how she is not famous already, she is so amazing. Erica Millett did a contemporary jazz routine too " I wanna dance with somebody" by Whitney Houston...the reason I loved this dance so much was because A) the song was accappella and anyone who dances to accapella music should be commended and B) She had so much soul, she was dancing with her entire self and it was very moving. Sarah Mousseau probably has one of the nicest voices you will ever listen too so it’s no surprise I would want to mention her. I felt as if her routine was flawless and we both couldn't help but celebrate when she was finished! There are so many people if I haven't mentioned how amazing you were it’s probably because I didn't actually get a chance to watch you the night of talent.
Group A's talent group was very strong as well and I only had the chance to watch a few of the girls perform but from what I saw they were amazing. Just want to give a shout out to Meghan Lamontagne for bringing me to tears yet again with her amazing dance/twirl to Michael Jackson’s "Earth Song."
I could not believe final night of competition came so fast but I was very excited to see who are Miss NH would be. I felt like the opening number lasted a million years as we waited to find out who made the Top 12. As they listed off the names of the girls who would continue to compete of course I was not listening so I was completely shocked when they actually called my name for the Top 12! Krystal and Jamie were announcing girls by using puns and for me they used my song "listen" Needless to say I almost knocked Regan over when they announced my name because I hugged her so hard. I had the amazing opportunity of competing with 12 of the most outstanding women in NH; unfortunately I did not make the top 10 and was not able to perform in any other phase of competition on the final night. I was more than pleased with myself and reached my goal of the top 12.
The Top 12 consisted of:
Katrina Rossi
Adria Farr
Bess Brooks
Brittany Dube
Elysha Greenberg
Megan Lyman
Regan Hartley
Rebecca Rendina
Samantha Massahos
Erica Millett
Lauren April
Alyssa McLaughlin
Brittany Dube and I were eliminated which left the top 12 to compete in evening wear and talent competition.
I watched all of the talents back stage and literally everyone was flawless and completely nailed it. I was so excited for everyone and knew the judges had a tough decision ahead of them.
When they called the top 5 I was so nervous for everyone.
The top 5 consisted of:
Erica Millett
Regan Hartley
Meghan Lyman
Lauren April
Rebecca Rendina
All of these women optimized what the state of NH had to offer and I honestly was very pleased.
4th runner up was Erica Millet, 3rd Lauren April, 2nd Rebecca Rendina and for the second time as 1st runner up Megan Lyman. The winner as you all very well know was Regan Elizabeth Hartley former Miss Keene Area and my former sister title holder. I couldn't be prouder of all that she has accomplished and I am grateful for the time we got to spend together as sister titles.
Overall I would say my experience at Miss NH was extremely positive. I owe a big thanks to Erica Millett, Megan Lyman, Alyssa Mclaughlin & Meghan Lamontagne for believing in me and giving me amazing pep talks all week.
To the Rendina sisters who I was completely lucky to have spent a majority of my time with. You both are absolutely amazing women and you both should be extremely pleased with all of your accomplishments. You kept me strong the entire week and I truly appreciate it.
Katrina Rossi & Sarah Mousseau....you both are hilarious and I am so happy I had the time to spend with both of you. I have never seen so much talent in two separate individuals. You both have an immense amount of talent and please don't ever stop using it.
Brittany Dube- You are a star...enough said
Asheley Chaput- I will miss you so much, but I know our paths will cross again...you can't get rid of me!
To all of the other girls who I have not mention, wow, I feel incredibly lucky to have been competing with you, you all are so amazing and don't ever stop reaching for your dreams.
To Danielle Jean Cowan, without you I would have stood on stage and done nothing...thank you for teaching me the art of expression and really believing in your students.
To Paula Moore, Thank you first and foremost for getting me into this program but also for helping me make my interview the best it could possibly be.
To my directors, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity and supporting me throughout the program!
To my former director Deb Barker you have become the most amazing friend I could have ever asked for and I am so lucky to have you in my life. I know you will always be my cheerleader. Also to Rachel Barker for helping me with everything I could ever need. I really owe a big thank you to the entire Barker Family so thank you!!
To the Staff, volunteers, sponsors and all of the Miss NH crew members you make me feel incredibly lucky to be a part of such an amazing organization...its people like you that encourage me to keep coming back for more.
To my family and friends who have supported me throughout my entire journey, I would be nothing without you and I love how much you all believe in me.
I feel incredibly lucky to be where I am and I will treasure this experience forever. I cannot wait for another amazing year of proving myself worthy of this program. Thank you so much everyone!!
With Love,
Miss Kearsarge Valley
Samantha Massahos
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