Four Portland Public Schools students won titles recently in the first annual Miss Sensational Pageant. The event is a therapeutic pageant for Maine girls and women of all ages with disabilities. The pageant took place July 18 at Riverton Elementary School.
A total of 11 women and girls participated as contestants and each won a sash and crown. Congratulations to the following PPS students for winning these titles:
Kiki Darling, Lincoln Middle School: Miss Social Sensational
Faith Longval, King Middle School: Miss Enthusiastic Sensational
Mary Burke, Lyman Moore Middle School: Miss Brave Sensational
Hannah Rose Schulman, Lyman Moore Middle School: Miss Athletic Sensational
The Miss Sensational Pageant was founded by Katherine Ambrose, an occupational therapist for the Portland Public Schools, and Ali Clair, Miss Maine USA 2013. They want to create a positive experience through pageantry that focuses on celebrating the abilities and beauty of girls and women with disabilities. Their goals are to equip and empower participants with confidence, life skills, and friendships that will stay with them long after the pageant ends as well as educate the community on disabilities and the importance of acceptance.
The Miss Sensational Pageant is a program of Crossroads Youth Center (www.cycsaco.org), a Saco-based nonprofit youth organization that fosters awareness, social education and teaches tolerance for a safe environment.
“Thank you to all who volunteered and provided financial support for this event,” Ambrose said. She said more information about the annual pageant, and more pictures, can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MissSensationalPageant/