Atkinson teenager wins local crown

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Courtesy photo Miss Merrimack Brittany Morgan Dube

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MERRIMACK – Merrimack High School opened its doors to 10 young women from many parts of New Hampshire on Saturday to compete for the title of Miss Merrimack, one of 26 statewide qualifiers leading to the springtime finals for the next Miss New Hampshire.

The winner will represent the state at the Miss America pageant, the 90th rendition since the pageant’s debut in Atlantic City, N.J.

Despite the title, the winner doesn’t have to come from Merrimack.

Brittany Morgan Dube, of Atkinson, won the crown and a hefty portion of a $1,500 scholarship purse.

The funds were awarded by the Miss Merrimack Scholarship Program, a nonprofit entity providing college funds to pageant participants.

More than 100 spectators in the school’s Little Theatre cheered the young ladies on. Dube aced the onstage stroll in evening attire and swimwear. She stood tall for the judges during her oration about volunteerism.

Two interviews and a talent display – a graceful jazz dance – capped the win.

The pageant is no newcomer to Merrimack High School.

Pageant organizer Kristin Anderson, of Merrimack, said the school was a longtime venue for the festivities until about a decade ago, when the event meandered elsewhere. There were no Merrimack girls onstage this year, but the reintroduction of the pageant was facilitated by Anderson.

Anderson is a Merrimack High School graduate who now is the director of the Miss Merrimack Scholarship Program. She said the Little Theatre was chosen because it was a part of the pageant’s heritage and a comfortable space for spectators.

A variety of local businesses helped with donations of funds and refreshments.

“It used to be a big thing in Merrimack,” Anderson said. “People perked up when it came time to go to the high school for the pageant.

“This year, our first year back, was gratifying. There is a strong Merrimack connection. For example, Audra Paquette Burns, Miss New Hampshire of 2005, was a 1999 graduate of Merrimack High School. We both have many friends in Merrimack.”

Anderson said Dube is a solid candidate for Miss New Hampshire. Dube attends Northeastern University in Boston and plans on a career in reconstructive surgery.

The finals that will name Miss New Hampshire 2010 are scheduled for April 30-May 2 at the Stockbridge Theater at Pinkerton Academy’s Spaulding Arts & Humanities Center in Derry. Lindsey Graham, of Sandown, is Miss New Hampshire 2009. Her scholarships and awards totaled nearly $50,000.

On hand at the finals will be the winners of all the regional pageants – Miss Bedford, Miss Hooksett and Miss Seacoast, along with Miss Lakes Region and others, including Miss Merrimack – the woman who staked her claim at Merrimack High.

For more information about the Miss New Hampshire program, visit www.missnh.com.