6 women from Western Mass. to compete in 71st annual Miss Massachusetts scholarship pageant

By: Veronika LaRocque MASSLIVE.COM STAFF

Six Western Massachusetts women will compete in the 71st annual Miss Massachusetts scholarship pageant in Worcester this weekend.

The women will be among 22 contestants vying to win scholarship money and an opportunity to represent the Bay State in the Miss America pageant. Events are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts.

“We actually exceeded our goal of 20 contestants this year,” said Donna Klamkin, publicity director for the Miss Massachusetts pageant. “They don’t win prizes, they win scholarships, and I think in this economy, these girls are looking at all opportunities to earn scholarships.”

Area contestants include:

• Katelin Bolduc, 21, of East Longmeadow, who is a senior at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she is majoring in communications. She will compete as Miss Bay State, and perform a flute solo as her talent. Her platform is to aid the Make-a-Wish Foundation;

• Emma L. Gilbert, 22, of Holyoke, who is a communications major at Holyoke Community College. Gilbert will compete as Miss Greater Holyoke. Her talent is Spanish dance, and she is supporting Let’s Move!, a program aimed at combating childhood obesity;

• Kimberlee Supernaw, 22, of Northampton, who is a graduate of Westfield State College where she majored in early childhood education. She will compete as Miss Mayflower, and perform a baton and dance routine for her talent. Her platform issue is “Enter Here: For a Better Relationship with your Child;”

• Cherise Marie Leclerc, 21, of Hampden, a senior at UMass who is studying communications. She will compete as Miss Pioneer Valley, and will perform a harp solo. Her platform is “Girls Achieving Active Life Styles;”

• Helen Hua, 22, of Northampton, a graduate of Smith College where she completed a double major in American studies and government. Hua will compete as Miss Southcoast and will play the classical flute. Her platform is “Empowering Young Women Through Developing Communication Skills;” and

• Katlyn R. Lewicke, 21, also of Northampton, who is a student majoring in history at Smith College. Originally from Pottersville, Pa., she will compete as Miss Western Massachusetts and will perform a classical ballet routine for her talent competition. Her platform is “Shooting Stars: Preparing Underprivileged Children to Attain their Full Potential.”

Tickets are available, for both the preliminary show on Friday at 7 p.m. and the final show on Saturday at 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.thehanovertheater.org or call (508) 831-0800.