Miss Southington’s Outstanding Teen Jenny Bukowski, left, and Miss Bristol’s Outstanding Teen Amber Ouellette goof around prior to leaving Bristol Tuesday afternoon.
They’re on their way.
This afternoon, local contestants in the Miss Connecticut and Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen competitions gathered on Memorial Boulevard before heading down to New London. Thursday through Saturday, at the Garde Arts Center, the young will compete to see who will be Miss Connecticut or Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen.
Before they left Bristol, they packed up their parents’ vans and cars with their competition wardrobe and enough wardrobe for several days worth of rehearsal. Then they packed themselves up in a limo that would drive them to the hotel where 35 contestants will be spending the next few days. In between their arrival and departure on the boulevard Tuesday afternoon, they gave hugs to family and friends. And they were wished the best of luck by Bristol’s Mayor Ken Cockayne, who took the time for a photo op or two for parents and press.
Gathered at the boulevard were Miss Forestville Molly Westfall, Miss Bristol Liz Wong, Miss Forestville’s Outstanding Teen Erika Farrell, Miss Bristol’s Outstanding Teen Amber Ouellette, Miss Plainville’s Outstanding Teen Brooke Murdock, and Miss Southington’s Outstanding Teen Jenny Bukowski. In addition, Erika’s older sister, Alexa, who is Miss Rockville, and Miss Rockville’s Outstanding Teen Nicole Vasseur.
PHOTOS by MIKE CHAIKEN
Miss Bristol Liz Wong, left, and Miss Forestville Molly Westfall.
Miss Bristol Liz Wong with Miss Bristol board member Jillian Holt.
Amber Ouellette, Miss Bristol’s Outstanding Teen, adjusts her crown using her reflection in the glass of a mini van.
Mayor Ken Cockayne, center, poses with the local Miss Connecticut and Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen contestants prior to their departure for New London, where the pageant is held beginning Thursday.
Mayor Ken Cockayne shares a few words with Miss Forestville Molly Westfall.
Miss Plainville’s Outstanding Teen Brooke Murdock poses with family prior to departing Memorial Boulevard.
Miss Plainville’s Outstanding Teen Brooke Murdock is ready to head into her limousine.
The contestants are all piled into the limousine.
Miss Southington’s Outstanding Teen Jenny Bukowski and Miss Bristol’s Outstanding Teen Amber Ouellette pose for Amber’s mother Jeana.
Miss Forestville’s Outstanding Teen Erika Farrell and her mother Sue share a hug before she heads off in the limousine to New London.
The vans all packed for Miss Forestville’s Outstanding Teen Erika Farrell