2020 Miss MWV Teen to be Crowned Sunday, July 26

The 2020 Miss Mount Washington Valley Teen Scholarship Program will be held on Sunday, July 26 at Theater in the Wood, in Intervale, beginning at 4:00pm. This year marks the 31st anniversary of the event.

The Miss Bartlett Pageants were started in 1990, in celebration of Bartlett’s 200th Birthday. The goal was to produce an event where young ladies could learn and practice valuable life skills while participating in the excitement generated by a Pageant. This is NOT a beauty pageant!! Contestants are judged on their poise, confidence, public speaking and interview abilities. There is an optional talent competition, with a separate panel of judges, but there is NO swimsuit competition.

In 1995, the event was expanded to include young ladies from throughout the Mount Washington Valley. In 2017, a division was added for young men. Our participants now encompass those towns whose students attend Kennett High School and Fryeburg Academy. Scholarship money is awarded to the top three finishers, and for outstanding salesmanship. This year we will award nearly $2000.00 to those fortunate teens for their college careers. That will bring the total money won by contestants since we began this program to over $47,000.00. To date, 179 teens have participated in this program. This number does not reflect the many who have joined us year after year. Among our past participants are business owners, teachers, military officers, hair stylists, medical professionals, mothers, and so much more…

There are four separate areas of judging involved in the selection of a Queen. Ten percent of the score is accumulated during the preparation events of the Pageant. Points are earned for meeting paperwork and advertising deadlines, attending rehearsals, assisting with fund-raising, etc.

Personal interview accounts for 30% of each contestant’s overall score. Each will meet with our panel of judges in a setting much like a job interview. She is asked questions about herself and her interests. The judges are watching for good posture, eye contact and speaking ability.

Following the interviews, the contestants present their public speaking. Each speaks about herself, into a microphone, to the judges and other contestants, making her introduction and telling about herself. This area also accounts for 30% of the overall score.

The final 30% of the score is awarded in the afternoon’s formal wear competition, the only portion that is open to any members of the public. Each contestant will present in formal attire for the audience and the judges. She will introduce herself and perform a short runway walk. The judges will be watching the grace, poise and confidence exhibited by each of the contestants.

The 2020 Mount Washington Valley Teen Scholarship Program is presented by Mount Washington Valley Promotions and hosted by Theater in the Wood. Sponsors are the UPS Store of North Conway, Lifestar EMS, Jewelry by Tim Psaledakis & Friends, and Lisa DuFault Photography.

Due to CDC and state guidelines, the event will be held outdoors and limited in attendance, though the committee is working on a pay to view option for those who want to tune in. Tickets are only $5.00 each and the money goes into the Scholarship Account. Check Lisa Valleypromos DuFault Facebook page for updates.