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New Hampshire Miss Amazing Virtual Event

New Hampshire Miss Amazing Virtual Event
Mary Roetger

A big shout out to the following students who have spent the last four weeks working with participants from across New Hampshire (plus one who joined in from Maine) to prepare the girls as they engage in the first-ever Virtual Miss Amazing event across the U.S.

Maria Found is leading the charge behind the scenes for all the Zoom setups so that the six judges can celebrate the abilities of these girls and women with disabilities. The buddies below have met weekly for hours with the contestants to practice interviewing skills, help them with their introduction speeches, give feedback on their passion presentations, along with helping with their evening wear walk and an uplifting COVID-19 video. The online interview portion of New Hampshire Miss Amazing took place May 14. The judges were rotated through Zoom breakout rooms where the girls (with visual support from their buddies) engaged in dialogue. "It could not have gone better!" Mrs. Found reports. "Such a positive experience for girls who otherwise would not have had the chance to shine! We are looking forward to our final Zoom event on May 24 at 11 a.m. Eastern time!"

Thank you to the Brewster Best Buddies participants: Neilie Alperin, Katie Carey, Yezena Degu-Endeshaw, Leanne Durham, Lila Glanville, Libby Harris, Mary James, Paige Kamali, Catherine Ling, Carlota Rahola, Kaylie Rosen, and Sylvie Skibicki.

Mrs. Found and the student volunteers aren't the only Brewster connection to the Miss Amazing New Hampshire event: Two-time judge Liv Fonseca, Miss Lake Sunapee Region is the daughter of Maryann Biedak, Brewster Director of Human Resources. And another of the six judges, Ashley Marsh, is Miss Winnipesaukee and faculty member David Hersey's girlfriend!

Fonesca commented after the interview portion of the contest, "I am in awe of how well these young women handled their interviews being done over Zoom. We had so much fun in the interviews and Katie, one of the contestants, even taught me some poses that I can rock on the Miss New Hampshire stage."

"I am so inspired by all of these AMAZING girls," she continued, "they truly know how to bring a smile to your face and put some positivity into your day. I cannot wait for the final phase of competition and to crown all of the Princesses on May 24."

Liv Fonesca (bottom picture) with fellow judges Ashley Marsh (middle) and Sarah Tubbs (top).

After the first segment of the competition, one of the junior teen category moms shared her gratitude for Brewster's involvement and Mrs. Found, who stepped up last year to direct the Miss Amazing pageant for the entire Granite State when the program seemed at risk of shutting down. "This year's event has taken an even more special spot in our hearts," the mom said. "With all the uncertainty, Maria has made sure that the event and our girls continue to have normalcy. The Buddies from Brewster are exceptional! Everyone has been so supportive of my daughter—she felt full of joy and was so proud! The girls working with her are certainly going to be lovely women in their adult years. Thank you!"

Update: See the event recordings below:

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