“So many girls at this age lack confidence and pageants are actually a great way to put your focus on something you really care about [your platform] and work towards something really exciting,” says Grace Henry (‘19), Miss Manchester’s Outstanding Teen.
Oyster River High School students, Grace Henry (‘19) and Kirsten Bornkessel (‘20), competed to be Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen in February 2018. By encouraging young women to perform well, whether in a classroom, on stage, or in the community, the Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen Scholarship Program fosters an environment for teenagers to become more outgoing, challenge themselves, and impact those around them.
Henry (‘19) is Miss Manchester’s Outstanding Teen and placed in the top 12 at the state competition. Her platform is Selective Mutism: Educate to Excel. Bornkessel (‘20) is Miss Bedford’s Outstanding Teen and her platform is Reaching Out for the Red Cross. Both girls chose to sing for their talent.
Grace Henry (‘19) currently holds the title of Miss Manchester’s Outstanding Teen 2018 and placed in the top 12 at the 2018 Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen pageant. She has been competing in pageants for two years, following in the footsteps of her sister, Elizabeth, who competed for Miss New Hampshire in late April 2018.
Since her first experience with pageants, Henry has made leaps and bounds. “I have learned how to speak well in front of groups of people, I’ve had lots of interview practice, and I now know how to be poised and confident.”
In addition to the boost in confidence that the pagents provide, MNHOT contestants also have a duty to serve their community. Henry helps out at a variety of events, including road races, festivals, and nursing homes. In combination with her platform, which is Selective Mutism: Educate to Excel, these events provide opportunities to raise awareness of a cause that is important to each local pageant winner. Henry selected this platform because she was affected by selective mutism when she was younger.
“More and more kids now are diagnosed with selective mutism and their parents or teachers at school don’t know how to deal with this in a way that’s going to be most beneficial to the child. My goal is to educate parents and teachers about the certain steps they can take to help their child grow through selective mutism and what specific things a teacher can do in the classroom to get that student to participate and learn, otherwise the student feels like they can’t speak up,” says Henry. She adds that “aside from educating parents and teachers, I hope to be a role model for kids struggling with selective mutism so they know that they can overcome this and find their confidence.”
Despite the hard work that goes into preparing the talent portion, the platform and the overall competitions, many stereotypes exist in the pageant community. “There are always a couple girls that might seem to have the stereotypical ‘fake’ personality, but that is a very small percentage and most of them are just regular but high achieving girls,” said Kathleen Henry, mother of Grace and Elizabeth Henry.
Grace Henry suggests the best way to be educated on the program and to see past the stereotypes is to go to a pageant themselves. “People don’t realize how much work and preparedness goes into this competition,” she says.
Mrs. Henry added that the program thrives because of the supportive community. “The girls will lend a dress or share tips, or a past Miss New Hampshire titleholder will meet with the contestant and help out in any number of ways. [The contestants] share a common goal of working to become the best version of themselves.”
In the two years that Henry has competed in the MNHOT pageants, she has found immense value in the process and in the competition. “So many girls at this age lack confidence and pageants are actually a great way to put your focus on something you really care about, [your platform], and work towards something really exciting.”
Kirsten Bornkessel (‘20) is currently Miss Bedford’s Outstanding Teen and participated in the Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen pageant this past February.
Her journey into the MNHOTeen program began when Miss New Hampshire 2016, Caroline Carter, had a singing lesson before Bornkessel. The two chatted about the benefits of being involved and the opportunities to serve and soon thereafter, Bornkessel participated in her first pageant.
In this past year as an Outstanding Teen, Bornkessel has been busy attending Beford’s Easter Egg Hunt, working at a fire safety event, and starting a Red Cross Club at Oyster River High School.
Her platform is Reaching Out for the Red Cross and began the club because she “believed that kids at Oyster River could get more involved with community service by joining the Red Cross Club.”
Bornkessel doesn’t see pageants as a beauty competition. “It all depends on how someone carries themself and how well they can talk to people and make others feel important.”
Similarly to Henry, to help others overcome the stereotypes, she informs them about the benefit that these pageants have had on her life and tries to show them that they are more than appearances.
As Bornkessel competed in more and more local pageants, she noticed tremendous improvement and notes the amazing community. “Doing pageants has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and talk to many people. I also got to meet so many wonderful girls and women. They are all so kind and talented, and the pageants created some lifelong friendships.”
Miss America’s Outstanding Teen is a sister program to Miss America. According to their website, the program, “promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America’s teens.” Since its creation in 2005, the organization has provided over a million dollars in scholarship money.
The MNHOT competition begins at the local level, where girls ages 13-17 compete for local titles around New Hampshire. Each locally crowned Outstanding Teen competes at Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen, the winner of which then competes at the national level to be Miss America’s Outstanding Teen in Orlando, Florida.
In order to be crowned, the contestant must demonstrate what is referred to as the four points of the crown: style, scholarship, service, and success. The four points of the crown are measured by a minute and a half talent performance, an eight minute interview with a panel of judges, an onstage question combined with formal wear, a lifestyle and fitness routine, and the contestant’s academic achievement. The onstage question is relating to the contestant’s platform, which is an organization or cause that the contestant supports.
The winner of Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen 2018 was Morgane Grace Vigroux, sophomore at Pinkerton Academy, who won locally as Miss Capital Area’s Outstanding Teen. She selected Say “No More” to Domestic Violence as her platform and uses every volunteering opportunity to speak to others about her own experiences, the long term effects of domestic violence, and where to seek help.
“The Miss America Program opens doors for young women,” said Vigroux. “Not only is it the number one scholarship provider for young women in the world, but in the state of New Hampshire.” She added that the Miss New Hampshire Organization gives out $160,000 in scholarships each year.
Vigroux personally received over $3,000 in scholarship money and awards for Overall Talent and Highest Scoring Vocalist, and will have the opportunity to compete for an additional scholarship in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant in July. “The Miss America Scholarship program is the only way I am able to afford the cost of college and I am so thankful.”
Because of the friendships she has made and the growth she sees in herself and in others, Vigroux highly recommends this program. “You leave the program more confident and a better version of yourself than when you began.”
Although Henry is aging out of the MNHOT program this year, she hopes to compete in following years in the Miss New Hampshire competition. Bornkessel plans to compete next year in local pageants because the MNHOT program has been a positive experience. “You really grow as a young adult and are able to take leadership [positions] and talk confidently, not only to your peers but adults. It really prepares you for the future.”
For additional information about the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program and the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program, visit missnh.org or check out their social media.
