Saturday evening, Ivy DePew, Miss Providence, was crowned Miss RI 2014 at Roberts Hall at Rhode Island College. DePew graduated from the University of Memphis with a B.A. in Sociology in 2012 and from Brown University with her Master of Public Affairs (MPA) in 2014. She will represent Rhode Island in Atlantic City at the Miss America Competition, which will air live on Sunday, September 14, 9 PM EST on ABC. The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. All local, state, and national Miss America contestants compete in five (5) categories: Interview; Lifestyle and Fitness; Talent; On-Stage Question; and Evening Gown. DePew will spend her year of service promoting her platform “United We Stand” - Supporting U.S. Military Service Members, Veterans, and Families. In addition, she will serve as an ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network. Her career ambition is to become a member of the U.S. Congress one day. DePew was awarded a $5,000 Academic Tuition Scholarship from the Miss RI Scholarship Program, a full tuition graduate scholarship at Salve Regina University, a $10,000 tuition scholarship to Bryant University (renewable for 4 years), as well as a $1,700 scholarship for professional development courses at the Dale Carnegie Institute. She was also awarded the State Academic Scholarship Award ($1,000) from the Miss America Organization and the Jesus Berlanga Public Service Award ($500). The Miss RI 2014 Judges included Carolyn Dutra, the owner and director of three dance studios in RI and the president of Dance for Art; Deborah Saint-Vil, Miss RI 2010; Francis Yuen, a senior economist with CoStar Portfolio Strategy; John Palumbo, president and publisher of Rhode Island Monthly; Kelly Jo Roarke, Miss RI 1997; Lorraine Kane, a former member of the RI House of Representatives; and Will Gilbert, Co-Host of The Rhode Show. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Mario Hilario, News Anchor with NBC 10. The show, which was produced by Jim Metcalfe, featured outgoing Miss RI 2013 Jessica Marfeo, Miss RI Outstanding Teen 2014 Grace Romanello, Miss RI Princesses, military service members in the U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Congressman James Langevin. Benita Arroyo, the show’s Assistant to the Director and a member of the Miss RI Scholarship Program Board of Directors, was recognized for 40 years of volunteer service to the program. Special recognition was also given to Salve Regina University for their generous scholarship support since 1997. Dr. Nadia Abgrab, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Business Studies and Economics, and Trace Warrington, Dean of Professional Studies, joined the show to accept the award on behalf of Salve Regina University. In addition to the comprehensive scholarship package, as well as the opportunity to compete for up to $50,000 in scholarships at the Miss America Competition, DePew will also receive a full year of hair, make-up and spa services sponsored by Shimmer Salon and Day Spa in East Greenwich; appearance wardrobe assistance from Macy’s Department Store in Providence; dental services by Dr. Kenneth Rawlinson in East Providence; jewelry from Dina Inc. in Cranston; competition wardrobe support from both The Crowning Touch in New Bedford, MA and INfusion Pageant and Prom Boutique in West Warwick; dry cleaning services from Crystal Cleaners in Coventry; as well as additional sponsorships. “Congratulations to Ivy DePew for winning the title of Miss RI 2014,” said Joseph Neri, Executive Director of the Miss RI Scholarship Program. “We are really looking forward to supporting Ivy in her preparation for the Miss America stage. She will be a wonderful representative for the Miss RI Scholarship Program in her year of service ahead. I would also like to thank our generous donors, supporters, and volunteers who make this program possible. The Miss RI Scholarship Program was able to award approximately $100,000 in scholarships (both cash and in-kind donations) and awards this year.” “We would like to congratulate all of the talented young women who participated in this year’s competition,” added Jim Metcalfe, Producer and Vice President of the Miss RI Scholarship Program. “All of the young women are wonderful examples of what the Miss America Organization stands for -- scholarship, service, style, and success. It was such an honor and my sincere pleasure to have worked with every one of these fine young women.” “I am grateful for this incredible opportunity that the judges granted to me,” stated newly-crowned Miss RI 2014 Ivy DePew. “I look forward to working with many partner organizations throughout this upcoming year to promote my platform ‘United We Stand’ in order to strengthen support for our U.S. military service members, veterans, and their families. I also hope to make our Ocean State proud at the Miss America competition in September.” |
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