Rebecca Scalera, a first year, represented Plymouth State University at The University of New Hampshire on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Miss New Hampshire University 2008 scholarship pageant, which is comprised of students from The University of New Hampshire, Keene State College, Granite State College and PSU.
Scalera, 18, of Derry, N.H., came in first place at the pageant and was the only student from PSU competing. She won a $250 scholarship that she plans to put towards school and has qualified to participate in the Miss New Hampshire Pageant, the winner of which will go on to compete in the Miss America pageant.
The Miss University 2008 scholarship pageant consisted of a number of components that students were judged on including a 10 minute private interview with the judges, swimsuit competition, evening gown competition and an on-stage question. Scalera also performed her talent on stage. She sang “Part of Your World” from the Little Mermaid.
Also, each participant has a platform on which they are judged. Scalera’s platform is to promote sportsmanship among young athletes. In the past she has volunteered as an assistant coach for a girl’s softball team, where she teaches the girls about the importance of good sportsmanship. Scalera hopes the in the future she can, “Talk to more coaches of recreational softball teams and have all the girls vote for who they thought had the best sportsmanship throughout the week and whoever did would get a certificate or a medal.”
As well as serving her community through coaching softball, Scalera has volunteered at a soup kitchen. At PSU, Scalera is a Communications major and is very involved in activities on and off campus. She is the First-year Class President and holds positions on the Student Life Committee and Honorary Degree Committee.
Scalera is not new to pageants. Previously she competed in the Miss N.H. Teen America pageant, Miss N.H. Teen USA pageant, Miss Teen America pageant and Miss N.H. Outstanding Teen. She placed in two of the four pageants.
However, this is Scalera’s first time competing in a pageant that wasn’t for teens and she was the youngest to compete, “The majority of girls were in the class ’08. I was the only PSU student and the only freshman. Most of the girls were from UNH and many of them compete a lot. Since it was my first adult pageant I was completely taken away by how talented these girls are. I was very surprised when they called my name. I looked down in the audience and I saw my dad shaking his head in disbelief. But I was very excited and overwhelmed. The best part is it’s only the beginning,” she said.
The next step for Scalera is to prepare for the Miss N.H. Pageant. She plans on starting a workout plan and diet plan, taking voice lessons, finding a pageant coach and start doing more community service.
“I got into pageants because I’ve always enjoyed being in front of people. When I was a junior I heard an announcement at school about the Miss N.H. Teen USA pageant. I went home that day and told my parents. They were shocked because I’ve been an athlete my whole life. I could barely walk in a pair of high heels. But my parents were supportive and backed me up,” she said.
” This pageant is an incredible opportunity to receive scholarship money,” Scalera added, “I’ll probably receive up to $2000 for attending Miss N.H. USA. Scholarship pageants are really important. Miss N.H. is not a typical pageant. It’s nerve racking and exciting to be competing at this level. I’m going to be one of the youngest and least experienced competing so hopefully this will push me to work twice as hard and do the best I can.”