By Julie Huss
Staff writer
Fri, May 16 2008 DERRY — With confetti flying and plenty of hugs, Natalie Shaw was crowned Miss New Hampshire on Saturday night, May 3. Shaw, of Manchester, was crowned by last year's title holder, Rachel Barker. She came out on top from a field of 22 contestants in the 62nd competition, held at Pinkerton Academy's Stockbridge Theatre. The 23-year-old winner was a six-time contestant in the Miss New Hampshire pageant and was first runner-up in last year's program. She performed "Climb Every Mountain" from "The Sound of Music" for the talent portion of the competition and will now be eligible to compete for the Miss America title in January. As the new Miss New Hampshire, Shaw won a $15,000 scholarship and other awards and prizes. She currently works as a music teacher in the Manchester School District. Runners-up in the competition included Brittany Crosby, Katrina Bernard, Justine Barker and Brittany Dube. Bernard, of Derry, was one of several local women participating in the program. Others with local ties included Londonderry's Lauren Gorgol; Rebecca Scalera and Alyssa McLaughlin, both of Derry; and Janine Mitchell and Olivia Karpinski, both of Auburn. Bernard, McLaughlin, and Meghan Lamontagne, of Pelham, have ties to the Derry-based Red Star Twirlers and performed dance/twirl routines for their talent offerings in the show. — Julie Huss
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Photos
A graduate of Pinkerton Academy, Miss Auburn Janine Mitchell waves to a cheering packed house as she walks across the stage during the Miss New Hampshire pageant. Staff photo
A special guest at Saturday's Miss New Hampshire pageant, Bebe Shopp Waring, Miss America for 1948, pulls out the woolen swimsuit she wore during her competition as an example of how the event has changed over the years. Staff photo
Meghan Lamontagne of Pelham models a swimsuit during the Miss New Hampshire pageant. Staff photo
Fourth runner-up for the Miss New Hampshire 2008 title, Miss Greater Derry Katrina Bernard waves to the crowd at Stockbridge Theatre as she receives a $1,000 award for MAO Community Service. Staff photo
Crowned Miss New Hampshire 2008, Natalie Shaw is flanked by runners-up, from left, Brittany Crosby, Katrina Bernard, Justine Barker and Brittany Dube. Staff photo
Last year's first runner-up to Miss New Hampshire, Natalie Shaw of Manchester is crowned Miss New Hampshire 2008 by Rachel Barker as confetti flies through the air of Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy in Derry. Staff photo
Natalie Shaw is congratulated for the crown she competed for more than once, as she is hugged by other contestants after being announced Miss New Hampshire 2008. Staff photo