News & Updates

Kara Laing Miss Winnipesaukee 2002 Farewell Speech

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 22:03:28 GMT

Sparkly dresses, big hair, 4 inch heels, and talks of "world peace" all stir up thoughts of Miss America and beauty pageants. As a pageant contestant myself, I adamantly feel that we need to establish a viewpoint in society that looks past the superficial stigma associated with pageants and their contestants.

Unfortunately, I fall under several stereotypes. I'm a pageant girl, and I have blond hair, which in some people's eyes automatically makes me a dumb blond. ALL of the girls who have competed for the title of Miss New Hampshire are beautiful, talented, and certainly not stupid. Personally, I think that any intelligent and gifted young woman who isn't involved in pageants is crazy, simply because of the vast amount of scholarship money available to them, that they are missing out on.

Lately, for some odd reason, I've found a new enjoyment in telling jokes. I'm sure that everyone here in this audience tonight has heard a dumb blond joke. I did a little research on the Internet to see if there were any smart blond jokes, and I actually found one that I would like to share with all of you.

A blonde walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan officer. She says she's going to Europe on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $5,000. The loan officer says the bank will need some kind of security for the loan, so the blonde hands over the keys to a new Rolls Royce. The car is parked in front of the bank, she has the title, and everything checks out. The bank agrees to accept the car as collateral for the loan.

The bank's president and its officers all enjoy a good laugh at the dumb blonde for using a $250,000 Rolls as collateral against a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then proceeds to drive the Rolls into the bank's underground garage and parks it there.

Two weeks later, the blonde returns, repays the $5,000 and the interest, which comes to $15.41. The loan officer says, "Miss, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and discovered that you are a multimillionaire. What puzzles us is why would you bother to borrow $5,000?"

The blond replies "Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $15.41 and expect it to be there when I get back?"

I definitely think there needs to be more jokes like that one.

On a more serious note, I would like to talk a little bit about what has gotten me here to this particular moment, relinquishing the title of Miss Winnipesaukee.

One week ago, on the 8th of July was the 6th anniversary of my father's death. The day will be forever etched in my memory. I was spending a few days at my best friend's cottage on New Found Lake, just a few miles away from here. It was a Tuesday. By 11 in the morning we were already out on her boat working on our tans, we were two teenage girls without a care in the world. Before long, my best friend's father was calling us back into shore. They brought me in the house, sat me down and gave me the news. My father had died of a heart attack that morning while he was working out at the gym. He was 54 and I was 17.

My father was 6 feet 4 inches tall. He was bald, and had brown eyes. He was a pilot in Vietnam and loved to make model airplanes. He was an amazing father. It gives me comfort to know that the last words I said to him were "I love you."

Despite this tragedy in my life, I like to consider myself an optimist. Every cloud has a silver lining, even the darkest, most daunting of clouds.

I have become a more compassionate, stronger, and determined individual. I am more appreciative of the days we have together, because we never know when it's all going to end.

My father passed away without any life insurance. I wouldn't have needed scholarship money as desperately as I did, so I probably never would have gotten involved in pageants.

My father's death is also the reason why I feel so passionately about my platform, which is educating society about organ and tissue donation. Shortly after his death, my family received a phone call from the New England Organ Bank asking us if we would be willing to donate his tissue. Because he had died of cardiac arrest we couldn't donate any of his vital organs, but his corneas, arteries, bones, skin and ligaments could all be utilized. Ultimately we were able to improve the lives of thirty people with his donation.

I want everyone in this audience to know that more than 80,000 people in the United States right now are waiting for a life saving organ transplant. One donor can save a possible six lives, and improve the lives of countless others. However, 45% of people when asked to donate a loved one's organs say NO. This is absolutely astonishing to me, and I will do my very best to change this statistic. Research has shown that people who say no to donation, often regret their decision later. Hardly ever, do people regret saying yes. I am convinced that if people are educated about organ and tissue donation, and the myths are dispelled, they are less likely to be blinded by their grief of losing a loved one, and are more likely to donate.

Donating my father's tissue was an easy decision for my family to make because we knew it was what he would have wanted, he was always willing to help others. Just because you have a card that says you are an organ donor, does not necessarily make you one. It is your family that ultimately decides. So please, if you want to be an organ donor make sure your family knows of your wishes.

Changing gears a little bit, when I won the title of Miss Winnipesaukee, I had some idea that it was going to be a lot of fun. Funspot is the sponsor after all, and I was given all the free tokens I wanted. Not only has this been an incredibly enjoyable year, this year as Miss Winnipesaukee was also a year of firsts for me. On Columbus Day I was in my very first parade at the Sandwich fair. It was raining, and I decided to walk while everyone else rode in the truck in front of me. They laughed and took pictures while I got soaked. They were kind enough, however, to warn me when I was about to step in some horse manure.

My mom and I played Bingo for the first time at Funspot. I have a new respect for Bingo players. It's hard! You have 20 cards full of numbers, and they call the numbers so fast. I kept having to tell my mother to stop yelling. It definitely takes skill. We didn't win anything, and even if we did we wouldn't have known, but we had a great time never the less.

I also went to Bike Weekfor the first time for a chili cook off. I was wearing my crown for the event and everyone called me the Queen of Chili. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. My experience at Bike Week also inspired me to get a bike of my own. Well, it's more of a moped, actually. Its powder blue and goes about thirty miles an hour. I guess you could say I am officially a biker chick. My friends, however, say I'm more of a scooter girl. Oh well, either way, it's my first step towards a Harley.

This is my last year of eligibility for Miss New Hampshire. Although I am reaching the end of my pageant career, I am happy to say that my professional career is just taking off. I was recently given the position of Account Executive for a company called Entegrity Solutions. It was the first job that I interview for after I graduated, and I am absolutely positive that my interview experiences in the Miss New Hampshire Program helped me get this job. The man who interviewed me was very excited to see community service activities and public speaking on my resume.

I will continue to use the experience, the scholarship money and the network of friends I have established through the Miss New Hampshire Organization to help achieve my goals in life.

Right now, I would like to thank two wonderful people who made this year so enjoyable. Tina and Gary - thank you for a great year! You really tried your hardest to make everything as stress free as possible. I enjoyed every appearance I made this year.

I also want to thank Bob Lawton, the owner of Funspot for his generosity and willingness to support the Miss Winnipesaukee program.

I want to give a heartfelt thanks to Suzanne Knox, Brenda Keith, and Claudette Jolin, for all their hard work in making scholarships available to young women in New Hampshire. If I hadn't received the scholarship money that I was given from the Miss New Hampshire Organization, there is a very good chance that I would have never received my degree from Wheaton College.

I would also like to thank Don Anderson for telling it like it is, and Belinda Bridgeman. If it wasn't for Belinda I never would have gotten involved in this program. Her encouragement and faith has been unwavering over these past two years.

And Jacque and Howard Elles for their continued support and encouragement.

I was in the middle of my finals right before Miss New Hampshire this year, and I never would have gotten everything together if it wasn't for the help of Liz Lussier. This woman can make a mean chocolate cake, let me tell you. I am just blown away by the generosity of the people involved in this program.

Of course I want to thank all of the girls. Every single one of you has a special place in my heart.

I want to thank Jessica Morin for her magic hands. She was the only one that was able to zip up my dress at Miss New Hampshire.

I want to thank Keriann Lynch for being my emotional twin. I love telling everyone that I am friends with the best baton twirler in the world.

And Jessica Lenski for being my idol. She has this relationship with her pointe shoes that I wish I could duplicate, and an incredible work ethic. I'm 23 and I'm not embarrassed to admit that I look up to a 19 year old.

I could spend all night explaining how each one of the girls I have met in this organization has touched me in some way or another.

I was Candace Glickman's roommate two years ago at Miss New Hampshire. I was happy to have someone as experienced as Candace to show me the ropes. She was 4th runner up three years in a row, and knew the ins and outs of pageants. I'm so proud of her. She worked hard, never gave up and was rewarded with the title of Miss New Hampshire, and she deserved it.

Lastly, and most importantly I want to thank my mother. She's my best friend in the whole world. She's always there for me, and hardly ever complains. She's one of the strongest women I know. I may have lost my father 6 years ago, but she lost her sole mate. She is so strong. Any challenges we face, we face them together and nothing is going to stop us! I love you.

If I could give the new Miss Winnipesaukee any advice it would be learn how to spell Winnipesaukee and do it fast!

Thank you.

Dover's Caroline Carter Crowned Miss Winnipesaukee

Sat, 11 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT

DOVER — On Sunday, Peggy Carter of Dover received a very special birthday present a day early. Her daughter Caroline was crowned Miss Winnipesaukee at a scholarship pageant at Gunstock Ski Lodge in Gilford.

Almost exactly a year ago, Caroline Carter, as Miss America’s Outstanding Teen New Hampshire, represented her state in Orlando, Florida, in the Outstanding Teen national pageant.

The Miss Winnipesaukee event was her first foray into the world of adult pageants. She has competed for 4 years and also held titles of Miss Strafford County Outstanding Teen, and Miss Capital Area Outstanding Teen.

Caroline said she enjoys the camaraderie of pageants, and likes winning. “I am a very competitive person,” said the smiling 17-year-old St. Thomas Aquinas High School senior.

As the winner, she received a $5,000 scholarship.

The reason for selecting to compete for Miss Winnipesaukee was personal. “I have always loved the area, been camping there for years, and as recently as a couple weeks ago was hiking there.”

Caroline aspires to compete for the Miss New Hampshire title in April, and has now qualified for that.

To a certain extent, Caroline is following in her sister Lauren’s footsteps.

Lauren is a former Miss Vermont USA.

The new Miss Winnipesaukee has the admiration of many of her schoolmates. According to fellow St. Thomas senior Adrienne Dwyer, “She is an amazing singer, beautiful and her hard work pays off to success in everything she does. She is such an inspiration. From school to stage she gives everything she has and doesn’t let anyone or anything get her down.”

About her mother, Caroline said, “She is my inspiration, and my number one fan. We go everywhere together, there is nothing I can’t tell my mom.”

Her father Rob also is excited about the title. Not only is it the oldest title of its kind in New Hampshire, he said, but it's "the most prestigious. She earned it.”

Peggy Carter turned 52 Monday and they had a wonderful family celebration, with husband Rob cooking ribs and a cake made by Caroline.

So what’s next for the new Miss Winnipesaukee? “My studies during my senior year, and oh ... some friends and I are starting a band,” she said.

Sarah White Crowned Miss Weirs Beach 2015

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT

On Sunday, July 12, the crowns were placed on the new Miss Winnipesaukee and Miss Weirs Beach, who will go onto serve their communities and compete for Miss New Hampshire. Eight women participated in a series of competitions which make up the pageant

The titles are part of the Miss America Organization.

Jennifer Noseworthy, Alianna Belanger, Sarah White, Kayla Warren, Caroline Carter, Kylee-Ann Drew, Laura Patenaude, and Brittany Sulham vied for the titles of Miss Winnipesaukee and Miss Weirs Beach, both carrying a $5,000 scholarship. The eight participated in interviews, the onstage question, talent presentations, lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit, and presence and poise in evening wear. The contestants were reviewed by a panel of judges to decide the winners.

In the end, Sarah White was crowned Miss Weirs Beach 2015, and Caroline Carter was crowned Miss Winnipesaukee 2015.

White lives in Hooksett, and will be going into her senior year at Manchester Central High School. She aspires to be a physical therapist specializing in sports medicine.

White's platform is "Offering Hope Through Self Injury Awareness and Prevention." White aims to increase the awareness of self-injury and addressing what leads people to harm themselves. "Everyone needs to know the warning signs," White said in her onstage interview. "Warning signs that someone is self-injuring include wearing long sleeves despite warm weather and cuts that appear on someone's skin."

In the talent competition, White did a tap dance to "Let's Live it Up."

Carter grew up in Alton and lives in Dover. She is a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and plans to pursue a bachelor's in film and media design after she graduates. Her platform is "Stop Diabetes." Carter has Type 1 Diabetes and said it is a disease that can impact anyone regardless of age or physique. She said in her onstage interview people might see her as an athlete and think there is no way she can be diabetic. "That is the stereotype I'd like to break," Carter said.

In the talent competition Carter sang "Defying Gravity."

White won the Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimwear competition, receiving a $50 scholarship. Carter won the $200 Marilyn Dearborn Memorial Scholarship for best onstage interview. Carter also won the People's Choice Award. White and Carter will each receive a $5,000 scholarship for winning the titles.

"It is absolutely unbelievable," White said. "We both worked so hard for this."

Carter said she grew up aspiring to this. "It makes it all the more special for me to be here and giving to the community," Carter said.

White and Carter were the two youngest competitors.

The first runner up was Alianna Belanger, who received a $2,000 scholarship. Second runner up was Gilford's Kylie-Ann Drew, who received a $1,000 scholarship. All the other contestants who were not finalists will receive scholarships of $500 each.

Last year's Miss Winnipesaukee Kendall Wipff and Miss Weirs Beach Jana El-Sayed talked about the experiences they had over this past year and gave advice to the new titleholders. Wipff said she made great friends and raised her confidence by being Miss Winnipesaukee for a year. "This year, I was able to do so many things, and I really attribute it all to the incredible people who supported me."

El-Sayed said she especially learned gratitude this past year and thanked many people who helped her along this journey, especially her mother. She also had some advice for the new titleholders. "Live every moment and say yes to everything that comes your way. It's going to be your growth. Remember to always be you on that stage."

Dover Woman Captures Miss Winnipesaukee Title for 2010

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

DOVER — Lissa Silk of Dover has won the title of Miss Winnipesaukee 2010 and a $4,000 scholarship.

In addition she won $50 for winning overall talent dancing ballet en pointe to "Hold Your Dreams" from the Fame 2009 soundtrack.

The event took place on July 11 at Gunstock Mountain. The title enables her to compete in the Miss NH competition at the end of April in 2011. Lissa is a Junior in the exercise science program at the University of New Hampshire. Her passion has been raising support for breast cancer cure and desires to continue using her crown to bring awareness, prevention and support.

Megan Lyman and Jennifer Clements Crowned 2009 Pageant Winners

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Originally published on Citizen.com.

Megan Lyman is crowned Miss Weirs Beach 2009 by her predecessor, Asheley Chaput.

Monday, July 13, 2009 (Gilford) Tiaras, sashes, and titles were the dream of the 11 contestants who took the stage at Gunstock on Sunday night as part of the Miss Winnipesaukee & Miss Weirs Beach Scholarship Program, which is a preliminary to the Miss New Hampshire Competition.

As the journey ended for Miss Winnipesaukee & Miss Weirs Beach 2008, another journey began for Miss Weirs Beach 2009, Megan Lyman, and Miss Winnipesaukee 2009, Jennifer Clements, both of whom won a $2,000 scholarship toward pursuing academic ventures.

Megan Lyman, of Gilford, won the judges over with her tap-dancing routine. Megan's platform is "beating the odds against childhood diseases." She is very passionate about helping children who are sick because when she was 12 years old, she was diagnosed with cancer in her shoulder, which caused her to stay at Boston Children's Hospital for three years. She said Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek came to the door of her hospital room and told her to keep fighting and she did.

She said she has gone back to the hospital in the past to dance for children there. "Hopefully I will inspire them to keep fighting," Megan said.

Megan will be a freshman this fall at New England College where she plans on studying to become an elementary teacher.

She said she didn't expect to win because it is her first "Miss Local" pageant. Until now, she has only competed at the teen level where she was named Miss New Hampshire Outstanding Teen in 2008.

"I'm really, really shocked," Megan said.

She was also co-winner of The Jeffrey Gebhard Memorial Scholarship of $25 for Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit.

Jennifer Clements performed a monologue as her talent called "The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia." The monologue was about a girl talking about her sister and how she won the Miss Georgia competition through a series of incidents that caused a power outage in Georgia. Jennifer's platform was Building Memories: Bridging the Gap of Alzheimer's Disease. She said she is particularly passionate about the subject because her grandmother had the disease and she lived with her over the course of 10 years. She said that 1 in 11 people suffer from Alzheimer's, but a lot of people don't realize how hard the disease on the family members of the inflicted. She said she wants to educate people on the disease and how to deal with the memory loss while creating new ones.

"It's about bridging the gap between old memories and new," Jennifer said.

Jennifer Clements is crowned Miss Winnipesaukee 2009 by her predecessor, Kayla King.

Jennifer is attending the University of New Hampshire in Durham and is planning on teaching English at the high school level. She also won The Marilyn Dearborn Memorial Scholarship of $150 for having the best interview with the judges and was co-winner of The Jeffrey Gebhard Memorial Scholarship of $25 for Lifestyles & Fitness in Swimsuit.

Jennifer said she was genuinely surprised when she was announced as Miss Winnipesaukee 2009.

"It's so hard to predict these things," she said. "Everyone is so strong and talented."

She also said she considers herself very lucky to have won a competition so early in the year. She is excited to have the extra time to prepare for the Miss New Hampshire competition.

Miss Winnipesaukee 2008, Kayla King, and Miss Weirs Beach 2008, Asheley Chaput, passed on their titles to the young women who were dressed in their finest evening wear. Both previous title holders helped coordinate the event and choreographed the opening number in which all of the contestants participate.

Kayla King also performed a song, while Asheley Chaput did a tap dance number -- their last titled performances.

Co-director Gary Vincent said he was excited to welcome the new winners, but sad to see the pervious winners go.

"They have brought a lot of sunshine to around here," Vincent said, "We're sorry to see them go, but know they have bright futures ahead."

Asheley and Kayla expressed similar mixed feelings about the ends of their reigns. "This has been just an absolutely awesome year," Asheley said.

Also in attendance was Miss New Hampshire 2009, Lindsey Graham, who came to support the girls as well as to perform a vocal selection. "It's always an honor to watch the new contestants perform," Graham said.

The program has been in place since 1925, which makes this year its 80th anniversary. It has been sponsored for the last 40 years by Funspot, where the winners volunteer their time for bingo nights.

Judging for the pageant was based on 25% interview with judges (which happened earlier in the day), 5% on-stage interview, 35% talent presentations, 15% Lifestyles & Fitness in Swimsuit, and 20% Presence & Poise in Evening Wear. None of the final contestants left empty-handed. Each received a $100 scholarship for getting as far as they did.

Third runner-up was Lissa Silk, who won a $200 scholarship. Second runner-up was Regan Elizabeth Hartley, who won a $500 scholarship and first runner-up was Alicia Rossman, who received a $700 scholarship. Other final contestants were: Chantel McCabe, Joanna E. Edwards, Kat Howland, Bess Brooks, Caitlin Elizabeth McGlinchey, and Kristen Ruggieri, who won the People's Choice Award.

UNH Senior, Emily Huges, Crowned Miss NH.

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 04:00:00 GMT

From The New Hampshire by Heather Deegan

Although the title of Miss New Hampshire may sound overwhelming to some, Emily Hughes is adjusting to it very well.

"This is my fifth year in the program, so I've had time to prepare for the responsibilities that come with the title," she said.

Emily, 22, of Gilmanton, took home the title of Miss New Hampshire this Saturday at a pageant held at Pinkerton Academy, beating out 17 other local pageant winners from around New Hampshire. Emily has been competing for this title for five years now, and has spent her time going to appearances, practicing public speaking and rehearsing dance moves for her talent competition.

Throughout her five years as a contestant, she has adjusted to these responsibilities, and has had time to learn how to handle the pressures of being Miss New Hampshire.

Emily Huges dancing She will graduate from the University of New Hampshire with a master's in elementary education in just a couple of weeks, but her plans to seek a teaching job must be put aside for a while in order to prepare for the upcoming Miss America Pageant. "I won't walk at graduation, but I am graduating this year," Emily points out. She only has a couple more requirements to complete before earning her masters.

Although Emily has been doing an internship at Bedford Memorial, she recently turned down a teaching job to take on the role of Miss New Hampshire.

"I can't balance both, and I'd like to be able to focus all of my attention on teaching in my first year," Emily explains. For now, she will put teaching on hold in order to focus on her character education-based platform. In order to promote her program, she will need to raise money to help support her efforts towards enhancing local schools.

She currently works with a program called Community of Caring, and plans to go into different schools to do read-alouds and become more involved with the children. Emily was named Miss Winnipesaukee last year, and has earned around $60,000 in awards, most of which will go toward paying off college debt at UNH.

Along with the title of Miss New Hampshire came $15,000 and many responsibilities. Her job for the next year will be to represent the scholarship program and to compete in the Miss America Pageant that is expected to take place in Las Vegas sometime next winter.

Emily won the overall interview competition this past Saturday in Pinkerton, proving that she can best represent New Hampshire for the title of Miss America. This year's Miss America Pageant will include a reality television series that will focus on all the contestants for the crown. emily will be appearing on the series which will air on Country Music Television.

The pageant this year will also be a bit different, with judges choosing eight of the finalists and the viewing audience choosing seven of the finalists much like American Idol. "New Hampshire isn't known for breeding Top 10 finalists," Emily states. "This is my opportunity to change that."

EMILY HUGHES OF GILMANTON WINS MISS WINNIPESAUKEE TITLE

Sat, 09 Jul 2005 04:00:00 GMT

Originally published in the Weirs Times. Written by Roger Amsden/News Correspondent

Gilford - An honors graduate from the University of New Hampshire was crowned as the 81st Miss Winnipesaukee Saturday night at the Gunstock Ski Area.

Emily Hughes, 22, of Gilmanton, who will return to UNH this fall to work on her master's degree in early childhood education, won a $10,000 scholarship in the site's oldest pageant. The recipient of the 2003 Meg Geraghty Community Service Award, Hughes has been active in charity fund-raising. Her talent performance was a tap dance.

It was the fifth straight year that the 2001 Gilford High School graduate has won a pageant to qualify as a Miss New Hampshire contestant. She won the Miss Lakes Region title in 2001 and followed that up by winning Miss Bedford, Miss Capital Area and Miss Stratham titles.

Hughes was crowned by the reigning Miss Winnipesaukee, Justine Barker of Pembroke, who is also a 2006 Miss New Hampshire finalist by virtue of winning the Miss Seacoast title earlier this year. Also on hand for the crowning was Miss New Hampshire, Audra Paquette of Merrimack, a 24-year-old graduate of Syracuse University who is herself a former Miss Winnipesaukee, having won that crown in 1998.

First runner-up, and winner of a $4,000 scholarship, was Christy Dunn, 22, of Laconia, a UNH graduate who aims to earn a master's degree in business management. She will be auditioning for the Radio City Rockettes in August.

Second runner-up and winner of a $3,000 scholarship was Kyle Polichronopoulos of Nashua, 23, a Springfield College graduate who is working to earn a doctorate in psychology. She is a member of the Manchester Lady Wolves dance team.

Third runner-up and winner of a $1,900 scholarship was Melissa DeGroot, 20, of Gilford, a student at Plymouth State University where she is majoring in psychology and dance. The Miss Winnipesaukee Pageant, which was started by legendary promoter Jim Irwin, was first held in 1925 at Irwin's Winnipesaukee Gardens at Weirs Beach and continued there until 1968. The pageant has been sponsored by the Funspot Family Entertainment Center since 1969.

Justine Barker of Pembroke Wears Miss Winnipesaukee Crown

Fri, 09 Jul 2004 04:00:00 GMT

Originally published in the Weirs Times. Written by Roger Amsden/News Correspondent

GILFORD - A 19-year-old award-winning soccer player from Pembroke was crowned as Miss Winnipesaukee Saturday night at the Gunstock Ski Area.

Justine Barker, who will be a sophomore at New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord this fall, was chosen from a field of 12 contestants in the state's oldest pageant, which dates back to 1925.

Barker, who says that soccer is her "true love'', performed an acrobatic jazz dance as her talent presentation. She was twice named to All-State soccer team while attending Pembroke Academy, where she graduated in 2003. She also lettered in four varsity sports and was captain of the cheerleading team which twice won Class I honors.

An education major, Barker says that her goal is to become a teacher at the middle school level. Her platform stresses high school dropout prevention.

Justine, who was the founder of the Pembroke Academy Dance team, said that she has been inspired by her high school soccer coach and her dance teacher, as well as her mother.

In addition to winning a $4,500 scholarship, Barker earns another trip to Miss New Hampshire Pageant, where she was the third runner-up this year competing as Miss Lakes Region.

Justine Barker crowned Miss Winnipesaukee 2004.

She was crowned by Lauryl Trenholme-Phil, 19, of Amherst, the 2003 Miss Winnipesaukee.

First runner-up was Jennifer Jill Saucier of Derry, who attends Springfield College.

Second runner-up was Kyle Polichronopoulos of Nashua, who competed in this year's Miss New Hampshire contest as Miss Nashua.

Third runner-up was Krytsal M. Barry, 19, of Belmont, who attends the University of New Hampshire where she is a dance-theater performance major. An honors graduate of Belmont High School, she was also the Class M women's pole vault champion in 2003.

Trenholme-Pihl, a sophomore at Wagner College in New York City where she is a theater performance major, said that she has had an unforgettable year as Miss Winnipesaukee and paid tribute to pageant co-directors Gary Vincent and Tina Gebhard for their encouragement and understanding in arranging her public appearances during her reign.

She said that Gebhard had helped her realize that she was a role model for young people and that Vincent had taught her "the power of the crown.''

"Get ready for a wonderful year. It will change your life,'' she told the contestants as she ended her reign as Miss Winnipesaukee.

Also on hand for the pageant was Miss New Hampshire 2004, Alyssa Spellman, who won the Miss Winnipesaukee Pageant in 2001. She is a student at Emerson College in Boston and will represent New Hampshire in the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City in September.

She accepted checks for $150 and $380 from Vincent for her favorite charity and sang during a musical interlude near the end of the program while auditors Shirley Gammon and Steve Doody tallyed up the votes by the judges.

The Miss Winnipesaukee Pageant, which was started by legendary promoter Jim Irwin, was first held in 1925. It was held at Irwin's Winnipesaukee Gardens until 1968 and has been sponsored by the Funspot Family Entertainment Center since 1969.

Lauryl Trenholme-Pihl's Miss Winnipesaukee 2003 Farewell Speech

Wed, 09 Jul 2003 04:00:00 GMT

As I travel on this road called "Life", I am constantly writing new chapters along the way. The chapters are never the same, nor are they totally different. They consist of the formative experiences that make up the sum total of my life, making me the person I am today and the person I am becoming.

The Miss Winnipesaukee Pageant has been one of those formative experiences. It is very special to me, because it was my first title.

I remember a couple of years ago when a dear friend and former Miss Nashua director asked me if I would ever consider competing in a Miss N.H. pageant. I believe I looked at her in a similar way that I look at (pause) feta cheese -- a food I don't think I'll ever get used to -- and I thought, a beauty pageant? No way. For one thing, I'm way too short!

I attended the Miss Derry Pageant two years ago just to check it out. Guess who sat in the row right in front of me? Candace Glickman! She was so friendly and encouraging, I knew right then and there that the Miss NH Scholarship program is not simply a beauty contest but so much more.

For those in the audience who are attending a pageant for the first time, and may have stereotypes as I did, let me correct them.

The Miss NH Organization as part of the Miss America Program is the largest scholarship program in the US offering thousands of scholarship dollars which help hundreds of young women achieve their educational goals.

But that's only the beginning. This program develops leadership skills by supporting young women to speak up about issues of national and world importance.

In this way we grow to become empowered women who are dedicated to making a difference in society

We develop poise and self-assurance as we spread our messages and serve our communities, helping others to better their lives.

This is way more than a beauty pageant: Scoring alone speaks for itself, 40% of the score is devoted to interview, you have to show intelligence, knowledge of today's issues and be able to speak and answer questions extemporaneously.

30% of the score is given for talent. For those who don't know me, I am pursuing a career in musical theatre performance with my sights set on Broadway. As Miss Winni, I had the chance to share my talent in many settings from nursing homes to the Miss NH Stage.

Is this a beauty pageant? YES! But it is mostly about bringing out the inner beauty in every contestant.

Competing in my first Miss NH pageant as Miss Winni, gave me the opportunity to become friends with the wonderful young women that represent our state. Not only are they smart, funny, and talented, but also genuine. That's why I am so proud to be part of this program.

I know you came tonight to see who will be crowned the next Miss Winnipesaukee, but I must seize the last few moments as Miss Winni to make you aware of something I am very passionate about, my platform and local program A. B. C. Acting Builds Character.

Today's youth are faced with more pressures and difficult choices than ever before.

I know from personal experience that involvement in Dramatic Arts kept me on a straight path and helped me to avoid becoming involved as many of my school friends did with drinking and other risky behaviors.

Many schools are facing crises in funding for art and music programs, but Drama is The Forgotten Art. And it can do so much for young people in and out of school. Role-playing teaches empathy and helps kids think out good decision making. Through drama kids develop cooperation, self esteem, self-awareness, and flexible thinking skills in a safe, non-threatening environment.

All of our youth are at risk! With Drama everyone can find success. Please support your local youth theatre programs by enrolling your children, attending performances or become involved as a volunteer.

Now I want to take a moment to recognize all the volunteers in this program. Without their time and effort, this program could not exist. Thank you to all of the people behind the scenes, to the local directors and most of all to Suzanne Knox and Brenda Keith for the countless hours of selfless dedication and love you give.

I also want to thank my friends and family who are unbelievably supportive. Mom and Dad, thanks for your encouragement and your failure to point out my imperfections.

Tina and Gary, you both have been so supportive of me and my goals. I couldn't have wished for a director more understanding, encouraging and realistic. And I got not one but two!!!

You are both so dedicated to this program and helping to enrich and empower the lives of young women. You have truly succeeded with this young woman.

You each taught me an important lesson that I will always carry with me. Tina, you taught me to see myself as a role model. You brought out that part of me that I never knew was inside. It was always there, but I needed encouragement to see that I could be an effective leader and spokesperson.

Gary, you taught me the power of the crown. I never realized how people will let you do almost anything with a crown on your head. If only you had a crown Gary, you could rule the world!!!

Most of all, you both helped me to believe in myself and I can't thank you enough for that. I feel so lucky because you are the kind of people that we all want in our lives. You never pushed me to be or do something I was uncomfortable with, or to strive for something I wasn't ready for. You taught me that small steps toward a goal can make a big difference.

Not only did I get two great directors, I got two great friends. In my mind, friends are truly the family we choose. I hope and pray that we will always be family.

At the end of this chapter on the road of life, so begins another. I am sad to have to leave you, but glad to walk away with many great memories and all I gained from you. Thank you.

As I pass on the title of Miss Winnipesaukee I feel compelled to pass on some tips to Justine. These are some simple things that I've learned throughout my year. (Keep in mind, they most likely won't help at all, since they are very personal), but here they are anyway:

Don't worry, you will never need tokens to Funspot again for the rest of your life!
And you will learn to spell Winnipesaukee!
Hone your navigation skills. That way you might not get lost on the way to every appearance.
Watch out for the mother's of the children who don't win the Halloween Costume Party - they are scary!
Consider taking up powerwalking...or at least walk faster than I did in the Christmas parade (or you slow the whole thing down. )
Practice sustained breath-holding. This will be necessary as you walk into the smoking section of the Miss Winni Bingo on Monday and Wed, nights.
Know that Gary is always there as your bodyguard during Bike Week.
If you ever run out of perfume, Gary should be able to help you out. He must have won every girly item at the Miss NH Ball!
No need to buy any Avon products during your reign. Tina has mad hook-ups.
Start buying blank thank you notes now!
Lastly, get ready for a wonderful year, which will change your life! Welcome to a new chapter !

Amherst's Lauryl Trenholme-Pihl wears Miss Winnipesaukee Crown

Tue, 08 Jul 2003 04:00:00 GMT

Originally published in the Weirs Times. Written by Roger Amsden/News Correspondent

GILFORD - Lauryl Trenholme-Pihl, 18, of Amherst, says that she loves to show emotion through her singing. And that talent came through loud and clear Saturday night at the Gunstock Recreation Area where the Souhegan High School honors graduate was selected from a field of 14 contestants as the 2003 Miss Winnipesaukee.

Her performance of "Shy" from the Broadway musical "Once Upon a Mattress" earned her high ratings in the talent competition and propelled her to the crown and into the start of what she hopes will some day lead her to a stage career and becoming a children's performance educator.

Trenholme-Pihl will enter Wagner College on Staten Island, N.Y., this fall as theater performance major. She has had extensive training in both voice and theater and has been a certified scuba diver since she was 12 years old. She will use her year as Miss Winnipesaukee to focus on a program touting the dramatic arts as an alternative to drugs.

She was crowned by Kara Laing, 23, of Amherst, Miss Winnipesaukee 2002.

Runner-up was Krytsal M. Barry, 18, of Belmont, who will enter the University of New Hampshire this fall as a dance-theater performance major. An honors graduate of Belmont High School, she was also the Class M women's pole vault champion.

Second runner-up was Christy Lee Dunn, 20, of Laconia, a junior at the University of New Hampshire where she is majoring in business management and is a member of the UNH Dance team.

Third runner-up was Justine Barker, 18, of Pembroke, a 2003 graduate of Pembroke Academy who has twice won All-State soccer honors as well as captained the two-time state Class I championship cheerleading team.

Catherine Ann Dennehy, 22, of Londonderry, a first-year graduate school student at the University of New England, where she plans on attaining a master's degree in physical therapy, was selected by her fellow contestants as Miss Congeniality.

Sponsored by the Funspot Family Entertainment Center for the last 35 years, Miss Winnipesaukee is in its 79th year and is the oldest continually running local program in the country according to Tina Gebhard, program co-director. It is a sanctioned official preliminary of the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program and of the Miss America Program.

Kara Laing Wins Miss Winnipesaukee 2002 Pageant

Tue, 09 Jul 2002 04:00:00 GMT

GILFORD - Kara Laing, a 22-year-old student from Amherst who is in only her first year of pageant competition was crowned as Miss Winnipesaukee at the Gunstock Ski Area Friday night.

It's been quite a rookie season for Laing, who won the first pageant that she entered in March and went on to compete in the 2002 Miss New Hampshire Pageant as Miss Nashua.

And she'll be back in the state pageant again next year, representing the state's oldest pageant, Miss Winnipesaukee, which dates back to 1926.

Laing received her crown from Alyssa Spellman, the reigning Miss Winnipesaukee, who has been runner-up in the last two state pageants.

Laing says that she's glad that she will now have nearly a full year to prepare for next year's state pageant and work on her platform, which stresses the importance of organ donation.

An international relations major with a minor in Italian studies at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., Laing performed a "danse espanole" to Swan Lake in the talent portion of the competition.

She said she never thought about entering pageants until her dance teacher suggested that she enter the pageants because of the college scholarships which were available. Laing said that she had no experience at all but decided it would be worth a try. And, she was rewarded with a first place finish in Nashua which thrust her immediately into a higher level of competition in the Miss New Hampshire Pageant.

"I wasn't ready at all. But now I'll have a lot of time to prepare," says Laing, who has been taking dance lessons for about 18 years and whose college dance company teacher is a former Miss Rhode Island.

Kara Liang crowned Miss Winnipesaukee 2002 Laing is already something of a world traveler, having spent a whole year in Bolongna, Italy, where she polished her skills at speaking Italian, a language she wants to become more proficient at. She said that her interest in Italian culture started when she took Latin at Souhegan High School in Amherst and has blossomed ever since. Her long-term goal is to work in the international relations field, work which she expects will allow her to travel extensively.

It was during her senior year in high school five years ago that she faced her greatest challenge, the death of her father, Charles, at the age of 55. After her father's death, the family decided to donate his corneas and other tissues, an act which ended up helping over 30 people and left an indelible impression with Laing of the importance of organ and tissue donation.

Because of the heart attack we couldn't donate the vital organs. But we were able to help a lot of people," she says.

Laing has two older brothers, Michael, who is 28 and a lawyer, and Nathan, 24, a computer programmer in Cambridge, Mass. Her mom, Candice, works at PC Connection in Merrimack.

Getting through her father's death and coming to terms with it was the most difficult thing in her life says Laing, who says that raising the level of awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation has taken on the role of a mission for her.

During the question period of the Miss Winnipesaukee Pageant Laing said that 79,000 people are currently awaiting a lifesaving transplant and that 45 percent of families are asked to donate a loved one's organs or tissue decline, something she would like to see change.

Laing says that, in addition to dancing, she enjoys playing tennis, likes all kind of music except heavy metal, and that her favorite actress is Gwyneth Paltrow because "she's so classy."

First runner-up was Jessica Lencki, 18, of Goffstown, who performed a Spanish-style ballet to "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." Alecia Donahue, 21, was the second runner-up, and Randi Lee Glickman, 18, of Manchester, was third runner up.

Amanda Singer, 18, was honored as Miss Congeniality, an award given in memory of the late Penny Giguere, a longtime New Hampshire pageant official.

Also attending the event were a number of other pageant winners from around New Hampshire, including the 2002 Miss New Hampshire, Mary Catherine Morin, 23, of Bedford, who made several appearances on stage with master of ceremonies Pat Kelly of radio station WLKZ.

The pageant was produced by the 2001 Miss Winnipesaukee, Alyssa Spellman, 19, of Manchester, who said that she had greatly enjoyed her year as Miss Winnipesaukee and thanked Bob Lawton of Funspot for sponsoring the pageant and Miss Winnipesaukee Pageant co-directors Tina Gebhard and Gary Vincent for all they had done for her.

She said that she had been involved in many special events at Funspot and that she felt a special bond and sense of community at all of those events.