“I Made an Impact on Someone Else’s Life Today”

Once again, April at Brewster saw a beautiful and joyful event taking place on campus—and our students lending a hand in a meaningful way. Miss Amazing is a national organization that seeks to promote the abilities of girls and women with intellectual and physical disabilities through pageant-style events across the country. The New Hampshire chapter is helmed by Brewster faculty members Maria Found and Emily James.

With 18 staff and faculty pitching to provide snacks and lunch or help with transportation around campus, it still takes a cadre of student volunteers to help make sure the day-long production goes off without a hitch—and with a lot of smiles and laughter. Most work as “buddies,” who accompany the participants throughout the day as they prepare for their turn on stage, interview with panels, and enjoy lunch and snacks together. When we asked first-time volunteer Emma Weisselberg ’26 how the experience made her feel, her answer was simple and powerful: “It made me feel that I made an impact on someone else’s life today.”

Hear directly from more of the Brewster volunteers—all first-timers—about what they learned, felt, and witnessed on April 14 in Anderson Hall and the Grayson Student Center in our special Q&A.

Q. What is the best part of the Miss Amazing event?

Anelya Caesar ’27: This was my first time volunteering for Miss Amazing, and it couldn't have gone better! My favorite part of the day was my buddy Sonya's passion project performance. She danced to “Handclap” and everyone backstage was dancing with her. She was having so much fun, and so was everyone else. I loved watching her do what she loved, and I think everyone in the room loved it!

Sofia Henley ’26: Helping the girls get dressed and seeing them smile in the mirror was my favorite part. I discovered my buddy Emily liked to sing!

Sasha Bulochnikov ’25: For me, it was hanging out with my buddy and helping her prepare for the pageant. She was so funny and kind I couldn’t help but have a fun time. I particularly enjoyed helping her create her answers to the interview portion, which she answered incredibly. Through the experience, I learned how to support my buddy’s needs and ease her nerves.

Izzy Bailey ’27: My buddy was Caitlin, who ended up winning queen. The best part of the day was waiting backstage as they called her name and seeing the excitement on her face as she walked out onto stage to claim her trophy and crown. It felt amazing to know that I helped contribute to that feeling of joy Caitlin experienced.

Odile Elliott ’25: The best part of the day was seeing my buddy, Aria, shine on the stage…she was only five years old and the most confident and sweet child ever. She wore a rainbow dress and went on stage to sing a song she had memorized; no lyrics were playing, just the background music. She was so excited to sing it and captured everyone in the audience. It was incredible to see, and right after, she got so excited to change into her beautiful ball gown. She was so happy just to be there and be on that stage.

Emma Weisselberg ’26: I worked as a “helping hand,” doing whatever needed to be done—I drove the golf cart to get girls back and forth and I set up the rack where the dresses go. The best part was watching the girls walk on the stage and feel proud of themselves. Watching people getting happy always gives me a sense of joy.

Q. How did Miss Amazing make you feel?

Anelya: I had so much fun doing this event. It was so rewarding watching the girls do what they love—they had so much fun getting dressed up and participating, and I really enjoyed watching and helping. I loved getting to know my buddy, Sonya. She was so much fun to be around all day…she loved to dance and play basketball, and she was SO funny. Hanging out with her and my friend Anna was the best!

Sofia: The whole day just made me feel good and happy!

Odile: It made me so happy working with such a sweet and confident girl. She shone in every place she went. It made me so excited to see all these girls and women getting the spotlight they deserve. This experience reiterated the idea that we must give everyone their moment to shine, because it will boost their confidence and it can just change someone's life to get the recognition they need.

Emma: Working with Miss Amazing made me feel that I made an impact on someone else’s life today.

Q. Did anything surprise you? 

Anelya: I was surprised by how smoothly everything went. We were all ahead of schedule and knew where we needed to be! It was a good day, and I am happy it was.

Sofia: I was surprised how many participants we had!

Sasha: I was surprised by how the day flew because I was having so much fun!

Izzy: It was surprising to see the age range. Coming into this I thought the pageant was only going to be young girls, but there were women among the participants as well. And I learned the difficulties that go into the behind the scene work of pageants.

Odile: What surprised me was that my buddy was so talented: At age 5, I could not memorize a whole song and then sing it in front of a crowd. She memorized her intro in the first few minutes and had no nerves. It showed me that if a five-year-old can do it, then I shouldn't be scared.

Emma: It surprised me how much preparing and setting up it all took—and I learned that doing small things can put a big smile on someone’s face.


Q. The contestants often have their families with them—what was that like? 

Anelya: All the contestants were so happy. They loved being there and were so glad to participate…it was so amazing to see them in their elements, they loved sharing their talents. 
Their families were so proud of them, and everyone had a great time. They seemed so proud and cheerful, and it made the day so special.

Sofia: I agree, the contestants and their families were super sweet. The families seemed really appreciative of what we were doing and they seemed very proud.

Sasha: The contestants and their families seemed to have a mix of excitement, joy, and nerves. I think it was such a kind community everyone lifted up one another, so it set a great tone for the event.

Odile: Right after the show ended, Aria's mom came up and hugged the two of us who were her buddies, and she was crying. She was so thankful for us and how we had helped Aria throughout the day. Aria is a pageant girl, so she does a lot of them, but her mom was so grateful for that day, which was super powerful to see. Other parents just looked so happy and proud, they seemed so happy to see their girls happy.

Q. What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering for this event next year?

Anelya: Anyone thinking about volunteering for Miss Amazing should. Not only is it good community service hours, but it is so much fun. It was the best community service activity that I have ever done.

Sofia: I would tell them that it is an amazing event and it is super fun to see the girls get dressed up.

Sasha: It is a wonderful and exciting experience, and make sure you bring water and are prepared for the entire Day. And this: Volunteer for the Miss Amazing Pageant and you won’t want to stop volunteering for Best Buddies!

Izzy: I would tell them to absolutely do it. I had a blast helping out the girls with this incredible experience.

Odile: Although it is a long day, it is incredibly rewarding you get to interact with people whom you might not have otherwise and you would get to have fun and watch them have the best day.

Emma: I would tell them to join. It is an experience you will never forget. When you spend all day with these girls you make such a good connection. Also the girls look up to you to help them.

Photo credit: Will Brochu '26