KENSI RILEY
WORCESTER – Two city residents are among the contestants in the Miss Massachusetts scholarship competition.
Olivia Clark and Kensi Riley, both 25, will participate in the July 16 contest at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, with finals July 17.
There are 23 contestants from across the Commonwealth vying for $28,000 in scholarships.
Clark, a 2017 graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, earned a degree in advertising through graphic communication with a minor in studio art. She holds the local title of Miss Pioneer Valley and is the daughter of Peter and Lisa Clark of Westfield. She is a vocalist who will perform the song “Desperado” for the talent portion of the competition.
Clark’s Social Impact Initiative is titled “Operation Breath Peace: Promoting Anxiety Relief and Proactive Prevention.” Clark has competed previously and placed in the top five at the 2019 competition.
OLIVIA CLARK
Riley, a 2013 graduate of Westfield High School and student at Westfield State University, is pursuing a degree in business management.
Riley holds the title of Miss Quequechan and is the daughter of Donna and Timothy Riley of Westfield. For the talent portion of competition, she will perform a lyrical dance to “The Edge of Glory.” Her Social Impact Initiative is titled “CPR and AED’s For All: Raising Awareness for Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Young Athletes.”
According to a release, the 2020 Miss Massachusetts competition was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Miss Massachusetts 2019 Lyndsey Littlefield, a native of Taunton, has held the title for two years. Littlefield was a STEM finalist at the 2019 Miss America competition and has earned $27,000 in scholarships through her time competing in the organization.
The field of 23 candidates will be narrowed to a Top 10 Friday, plus the People’s Choice candidate. Supporters help select the People’s Choice position by voting online. Each vote is $1 and counts as one vote. Online voting is live now and will end at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 16. For more details visit www.missmass.org and click on the online voting link.
“Our 2021 Miss Massachusetts class is made up of some of the best and brightest young women from across the Bay State,” said Executive Director Dolores “Buffy” Rabuffo. “With the rising costs of a college education, The Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Foundation is proud to be able to assist our candidates with scholarships which help ease the financial burden they face after graduation.”
Tickets to the 2021 competition can be purchased online at thehanovertheater.org.
The next Miss Massachusetts will compete at the 100th Anniversary of the Miss America Pageant to be held at Mohegan Sun Casino in
