The sophomore at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School plays varsity soccer and teaches Irish Step Dancing.
Sydney Rachael Levin-EpsteinLONGMEADOW – Sydney Rachael Levin-Epstein never thought about being a pageant queen.
“My mom signed me up for this pageant and at first I thought this is awful, it goes against my morals, but then I changed my mind once I realized what the pageant is all about,” said the 15-year-old Longmeadow teen who will be participating in the 12th annual Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen Pageant on Saturday.
“I have really grown from this experience and learned a lot,” she said.
Eight teens will be participating in the competition, which will be held at Keith Middle School in New Bedford at 6 p.m.
The teens will compete for scholarship money and the opportunity to represent the state at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando, Fla., in August.
“It’s been a challenging experience. The judges can ask you questions about everything, from your thoughts on the crisis in Japan to your thoughts on sexting. They really keep you on your toes,” she said.
Levin-Epstein is the daughter of Sheila Mulholland and Jonathan Levin-Epstein of Longmeadow. This is her first time participating in a pageant.
A sophomore at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School in South Hadley, Levin-Epstein plays varsity soccer and has had training in Irish Step Dancing for 13 years at the Claddagh School of Irish Dance, where she is now a teacher. She has studied various forms of dance at the New England Dance Conservatory for 12 years.
Donna Klamkin, a pageant director along with Valarie Lacasse, said the mission of the organization is to “promote scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America’s teens.”
The competition is open to teens ages 13-17. They are judged on a personal interview, talent, scholastic achievement, evening wear, on-stage questions and lifestyle and fitness.