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SNHU Student Enters Miss NH Pagent

By Haley Webb- Staff Writer

Rebecca Scalera is an enthusiastic, involved student on the SNHU campus. While Scalera can often be seen throughout campus providing tours as a Penmen Guide in the Office of Admissions or working as a Resident Assistant in Washington Hall, many students on campus may not know about something new she is hoping to add to her resume: the title of Miss New Hampshire 2009. She may not have grown up living the "pageant lifestyle" that many may imagine, but Scalera has been working assiduously at reaching her goal.

Becky Scalera's involvement in pageants began when she was sixteen years old, and she has been actively competing ever since. It started when she was approached on Facebook with the suggestion to compete in the Miss University pageant. After some serious consideration, she decided to enter. Just last year, Scalera won and was crowned Miss University. This year, she decided to pursue her regional title, Miss Kingston, and won again. Both of these title wins have allowed her to enter the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program for the past two years.

Scalera has been in training for the Miss New Hampshire 2009 pageant since she was crowned Miss Kingston early last July, with her training process being very strenuous and complex. In addition to eating healthy and working out every day, she has been promoting her platform, "Providing Shelter and Care for Homeless Animals," at the Manchester Animal Shelter by volunteering twice a week. Scalera has also been meeting with her vocal coach, Danny Smith, once a week and has been practicing her singing everyday on her own. Anyone that attended the Phi Delta Psi fraternity's Talent Show had the opportunity to witness Scalera's talent firsthand when she performed Kelly Clarkson's "Beautiful Disaster." Much of the preparation process has been facilitated by Scalera's director, Elaine Tidd, who has served as a personal guide along the way.

Scalera also mentioned how truly appreciative she is of the support she has received from her director as well as her friends and family during her training, "My family and friends have been nothing but an amazing support as well. Nothing I can do or say can describe how thankful and blessed I am to have them all in my life and keep me sane during a time that could be considered somewhat stressful."

There are many different things to motivate the participants in the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Programs. Just for qualifying and competing in the program, the participants each receive a $2000 scholarship, with the winner receiving a $15,000 scholarship. Also, as an advertising major, Scalera receives personal benefits from the program, including help with connections and networking.  Scalera also sees the benefits of the skills she has learned from the Miss New Hampshire pageant, primarily the improvement she has made on her interviewing skills. The Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program consists of five components, with the participants being judged for their interviews, talents, eveningwear, on-stage questions, and lifestyles and fitness in swimsuits. 

In response to those who may harshly criticize programs such as the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program, Scalera upholds her positive and upbeat attitude. She understands that there are certain stereotypes she could face, and she answered back strongly, "If you get to know someone involved in pageants, you may be pleasantly surprised at how real and down to earth the person is. Anyone at SNHU who knows me knows that I am a very real, energetic and bold person. These qualities stay with me on and off the stage."

With her parting words, Scalera stated, "It would be my honor to be able to represent SNHU as Miss New Hampshire 2009 and be able to make a difference in the state that I was born and raised in."

The 63rd Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program preliminary rounds will be April 30th and May 1st, and the finals will be held May 2nd. To follow Scalera’s progress, visit missnh.org.