New Miss Greater Derry to be crowned tonight

June 27, 2008 06:45 am

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DERRY — Thirteen contestants vie to win the Miss Greater Derry crown tonight (June 27).

The 22nd annual Miss Greater Derry Scholarship Program kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Adams Memorial Opera House. Top winners will share more than $18,000 in scholarships at this year's competition.

The new Miss Greater Derry will be crowned by last year's winner, Katrina Bernard. The event is a local preliminary for next May's Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program.

This year's program, with the theme "Blue Man Group," includes opening numbers featuring all 13 contestants, Bernard, and the NH Children's Dance Company.

Miss New Hampshire, Natalie Shaw, along with NH Outstanding Teen, Megan Lyman, will be on hand to help crown the new titleholder.

Miss Greater Derry will win at least $6,000 from the fund; first runner-up receives $3,000; second runner-up gets $1,500; third receives $850, and the fourth runner-up receives $650. In addition, each contestant receives a scholarship prize for participation. The winner will also receive a custom-designed, diamond crown pin from Gem Jewelers in downtown Derry.

Contestants this year include:

Lauryn DeBaie, 18, from Londonderry, a sophomore at Penn State University. Her platform is "Fit and Fun: Fitness for Today's Youth." She will perform a dance twirl to "I'm Alive."

Elysha Greenberg, 19, from Windham, a sophomore at Brandeis University. Her platform is "No Butts About It: Substance Use and Abuse Prevention and Awareness. She will perform a flute solo to "Arabian Nights."

Alicia Zajac, 19, of Derry a sophomore at University of New Hampshire. Her platform is "Just Breathe: Creating a Safe Environment for Adolescents with Asthma." She will perform an acro-jazz dance routine.

Rebecca Scalera, 18, of Derry, a sophomore at Southern New Hampshire University. Her platform is "Juvenile Diabetes Awareness." She will perform a vocal for her talent entry.

Lauren Gorgol, 19, of Londonderry, a sophomore at Northeastern University. Her platform is "Closing the Generation Gap." She will perform an Irish step dance.

Chantel McCabe, 18, hails from Candia and her platform is "Girl Scouts: Where Girls Grow Strong." She performs a jazz dance.

Alyssa McLaughlin, 21, of Derry, is a senior at University of Connecticut. Her platform is "Skin Cancer Awareness and Prevention." Her talent is a dance twirl to "The Impossible Dream."

Danielle DiPasquale, 17, of Derry is a senior at Pinkerton Academy and her platform is "Made for Stage: Advancing Performing Arts Curriculum in School." She will perform a jazz dance.

Samantha Massahos, 19, of Salem, a sophomore at Keene State College, will offer the platform, "Diabetes: Raising Awareness in Hopes to Find a Cure." Her talent presentation is a vocal to "A Change in Me."

Christiann Unger, 20, of Danville is a senior at the University of New Hampshire. Her platform is "Blood Donation: Give Blood, Save Lives." She will present a tap dance.

Justine Barker, 23, of Pembroke, is a student at Southern New Hampshire University. Her platform is "High School Dropout Prevention: Motivation Graduation." She will dance to "Cha, Cha, Cha."

Janine Mitchell, 19, of Derry, is a sophomore at Emerson College. Her platform is "Breaking the Barriers of Beauty." Her talent entry is a jazz dance.

Nichole Iacuzio, 17, of Derry, is a senior at Pinkerton Academy. Her platform is "Go M-A-D: Go Make a Difference." She will tap dance to "Footloose."