Kiersten Khoury of Westwood Competes in Miss Massachusetts 2023

Tonight, Westwood resident Kiersten Khoury will realize a dream by competing in the 2o23 Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Competition at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester. This Friday evening's competition is a preliminary to the state finals to be held on Saturday. The winner of Saturday's competition will go on to represent Massachusetts in the 2023 Miss American pageant.

"I have dreamed of completing in this Miss America Organization since I was a little girl," says Ms. Khoury, who currently holds the title of Miss Neponset Valley. "I've always watched the competition on TV and even live a few times and was inspired to one day be on that stage as well. However, I also knew I would only want to compete in my home state of Massachusetts which is why I waited to compete until this year," she says.

The 22 year-old daughter of Wassim and Dawan Khoury is a 2023 graduate of High Point University where she majored in Entrepreneurial Studies/Sales. She is also a 2019 graduate of Westwood High School. 

The 24 contestants in Friday's competition will each showcase a talent and have chosen a service initiative. Ms. Khoury has planned a tap dance for the competition's talent portion. Her service initiative is "Check the Chicas."

The field of 24 candidates will be narrowed to a Top 10, plus a People’s Choice candidate.  Supporters can help select the People’s Choice position by voting online at missmass.org, through 10:00 p.m. today. There is a fee of a dollar to do so. 

“We have some of the best and brightest young women from across the Bay State competing to be our next Miss Massachusetts this year,” said Dolores Rabuffo, Executive Director of the Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Organization. “With the rising cost of a college education, we are proud to be able to assist our contestants financially as they continue their education," she said, referencing the $15,000 scholarship that will be awarded to this year's winner.

"So far I have had a great experience competing. Being able to build relationships with my fellow contestants as well as the staff has been so rewarding. I am very excited for the rest of the weekend and whatever the future may hold," says Ms. Khoury.

The reigning Miss Massachusetts 2022, Katrina Kincaid, is the first competition title holder of Muslim descent. She earned over $20,000 in scholarships during her time competition in the Miss America Organization.

Thanks to the Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Foundation for sharing this news with Westwood Minute.

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