Scenes From the Miss Greater Rockville Pageant

The state's first Miss Greater Rockville Scholarship Competition welcomed contestants from around Connecticut on Saturday evening in the Rockville High School auditorium.

Judges were given the difficult task of choosing the first Miss Greater Rockville (for ages 17 to 24), Miss Greater Rockville’s Outstanding Teen (for ages 14 to 17) and Miss Tolland County.

Seventeen contestants competed in four phases of competition during the pageant, including talent, interview, bathing suit and evening gown. Contestants also discussed their chosen platforms, which included speeches about the importance of fine arts in education, overcoming child abuse, self esteem, programs for special needs children and health care for the underprivileged.

Each contestant presented compelling topics, often speaking from the heart and adding her own personal experiences, making it clear to judges and audience members alike that she would be well-suited as a role model for young women should she win the crown.

While the social significance of their interviews may have impressed the audience, the fun of their talents delighted it, as contestants took to the stage with dance performances, singing, guitar and piano playing and baton twirling.

When all was said and done, awards were given to these lucky ladies:

• Katlyn Lewicke of Milford – Miss Greater Rockville 2012.
• Cassia Alessandra Shoaf of North Granby – Miss Greater Rockville’s Outstanding Teen 2012.
• Kaitlyn Bogue of Oxford – Miss Tolland County 2012.
• Jeanette Marie Porcello of South Windsor – Teen, Miss Congeniality 2012.

People's Choice winners were: 

• Chloe Victoria Shoaf of North Granby – Teen People’s Choice.
• Sarah Elizabeth Browning of Rockville – Miss People’s Choice.

Prizes, savings bonds and scholarships from $200 to $500 were awarded to the winners.

During her year of service, Lewicke will travel across Connecticut, speaking to government officials, business leaders, community groups and citizens about her platform issue – the RAINmakers program – and encouraging them to become involved in her cause. Lewicke will also be eligible to compete for the Miss Connecticut title in June.