Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen 2019

We all have the opportunity to be role models for others.  I strive to be a positive role model for teens and pre-teens.  This possibility really impacted me during my first trip to the Massachusetts State House.  While in the restroom, I met two middle school teens who were visiting on a field trip.  They were enamored by the crown in the crown box and within minutes, two girls turned into five which turned into twelve and then overflowed into the hallway of the State House and ended in their final photo of the day for their school trip.  Before the photo, we talked about getting good grades, exploring meaningful extracurricular activities, giving back to the community and having confidence in oneself.  It was at that moment, in the State House bathroom, that I realized I am a role model too.  I am humbled and honored to wear this crown.  Not only do I represent the teens of Massachusetts, but I can use this position to inspire hope to future generations of amazing Massachusetts role models.

I am pleased to introduce you to my mentor, Dr. Heather Larkin.  She is an amazing role model for young women.  As the Director of Guidance at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, students love her approachable manner and straightforward answers.  She is loved and respected by everyone at the school.

Prior to her time at GNBVT, Dr. Larkin received her doctorate in special education, worked in the Middleboro school district for 4 years and in the New Bedford Public School system for 17 years. She is married with two teenage boys.

Maureen Sylvia Armstrong is renowned throughout the SouthCoast Massachusetts region for her commitment to providing excellent costumer service at Sylvia Insurance and her ability to influence the community at large. 

Since she became President and CEO of Sylvia Insurance in 1998, she has grown the company from 10 to 50 employees. The company has also extended its expertise to include employee benefits and financial planning.

Armstrong is very active in the community. Her involvement includes serving on the New Bedford Zoological Society among several others. 

She has received numerous awards for her work including Small Business Person of the Year in 1996 by the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce and 2008 SouthCoast Media Group as Woman of the Year. Armstrong is currently working on a project for local business women to mentor middle school students.

The skills and opportunities learned from the Miss America organization can pave the way for successful careers in many areas.

Dr. Patricia Haddad served as an educator in the Somerset Public School System for fourteen years before being elected to the Massachusetts State Legislature.  She now serves as the Speaker pro Tempore, elected by the majority party caucus, as the second highest-ranking official in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.  Representative Haddad has served as the Bristol 5^th District since 2001.  She is married and the mother of two grown children.    

Alissa Musto began playing piano at the age of four. Within five years, she was featured on the national television series, America’s Most Talented Kids.

Throughout high school, she was featured on numerous national television talent shows. She attended Harvard University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Government. During college, she served as a Boston Symphony Orchestra Ambassador and the music director at the Dorchester Collegiate Academy. In 2016, she became Miss Massachusetts and placed top 15 at Miss America, performing a piano piece that united classical and jazz styles. Now, she pursues her Master’s degree in Music Business and Entertainment Industries at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. For more information on Ms. Musto, visit: http://www.alissamusto.com/

Did you know Miss Massachusetts 2011 was a international-winning ice dancer?

Loren Galler-Rabinowitz not only won a crown but many awards in her eight year career as an ice dancer.  In 2004, Loren won the US bronze medal with her partner, David Mitchell. Together, they won four national medals and ten international medals.
Years later, after earning an English degree from Harvard University, she won the title of Miss Massachusetts 2011 and won the Miracle Maker Award at Miss America. Her talent was classical piano. Her platform on Holocaust education took her across the state in speaking engagements. 

As a descendent of Holocaust survivors, Loren continues to serve as a speaker and advocate for Holocaust Remembrance and Awareness. 
Loren completed her medical degree at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. She currently serves as a fellow of gastroenterology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Dr. Erika Ebbel Angle is a former Miss Miss Massachusetts. She graduated from MIT and earned a PhD in biochemistry from Boston University.

I remember watching Dr. Erika on a PBS show when I was a kid. I still remember when she wore her tiara and lab coat together!  She inspired me to attend a Girls in Engineering camp. 

Dr. Erika married the CEO of iRobot, Colin M. Angle.  Years ago, my brothers toured iRobot on a field trip with the Boy Scouts. I was so jealous!  Now, I am proud to say that as a Scout BSA, I will have the opportunity to visit iRobot!
Today she is the founder and CEO and Co-Founder of Ixcela, an innovative health and wellness company based in Bedford, MA.In her free time, she continues playing classical piano. 

Thanks Dr. Erika for inspiring a new generation of girls interested in STEM!

Since it’s International Women’s Day, I thought it appropriate to repost a Cornell University article about Cornell Women. Cornell was the first Ivy League college to allow both men and women in 1870! Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Janet Reno hailed from Cornell!

View at Medium.com

Miss Massachusetts 2014, Lauren Kuhn, has found great success both inside and outside of the Miss America program. A pianist since childhood, Ms. Kuhn placed in the Top 5 at Miss America and received the STEM scholarship. But these goals could not have been achieved without her professional successes. A Doctor of Dental Medicine from Harvard University, Ms. Kuhn now studies Endodontics at the University of South Carolina while volunteering for a non-profit clinic and mentoring students internationally.