Two Greater New Bedford women crowned Miss New Bedford and Miss New Bedford Teen. Here's who. – SouthCoastToday.com
NEW BEDFORD — It was an enchanting evening, filled with breathtaking ball gowns and sparkling tiaras, as two women from Greater New Bedford received their coveted titles of Miss New Bedford and Miss New Bedford’s Teen.
Nineteen women from Greater New Bedford competed for the titles of Miss New Bedford and Miss New Bedford Teen on Saturday, Oct. 4.
With a total of $7,500 in educational scholarships awarded this year, the Miss New Bedford Pageant crowned its 72nd winner and the 15th Miss New Bedford Teen.
The competition also honored the outgoing Miss New Bedford, Ashley Clark, and Miss New Bedford’s Teen, Bree LeFavor.
Claiming the title of Miss New Bedford was New Bedford native Deolinda Mendes, a 22-year-old senior at Rhode Island College pursuing her degree in nursing.
Mendes competed with her community service initiative titled “Next-Gen Navigators: Promoting the Power of Mentorship,” which aims to connect more youth to positive role models. For the talent phase, she entertained the judges with an upbeat jazz dance.
Along with the coveted title, Mendes earned a $3,500 college scholarship and an additional $200 scholarship as the overall Interview Award recipient.
Fairhaven’s Addison Kohler became the 15th woman to earn the title of Miss New Bedford Teen.
Kohler, a 15-year-old sophomore at Connections Academy of Massachusetts, competed with her community service initiative titled “Childhood First: Improving Pediatric Healthcare.” She will continue to fundraise, connect with children in medical facilities, and advocate for improvements in how young patients are treated. In the talent phase, Kohler showcased her tap dancing.
Kohler received a $500 scholarship and also won the overall Interview Award among the teen contestants, earning her an additional $100 scholarship.
Both women will have a year to serve and make an impact, and they will also represent New Bedford at the state competitions in June of 2026.
In the Miss New Bedford competition, the following women were awarded scholarships:
Lily Jeswald, 1st Runner-Up ($750 Scholarship); Kieyana Fleming, 2nd Runner-Up ($500 Scholarship); Shanyah Cunha, 3rd Runner-Up ($300 Scholarship); Deolinda Mendes, Interview Winner ($200 Scholarship); Jaime St. Onge and Kieyana Fleming, Congeniality Award ($100 Scholarship); and Alexis Frye, Legacy Award ($100 Scholarship).
The following women in the Miss New Bedford Teen competition were awarded scholarships:
Kercheena Pamphile, 1st Runner-Up ($250 Scholarship); Olivia Villandry, 2nd Runner-Up ($200 Scholarship); Olivia Charest, 3rd Runner-Up ($150 Scholarship); Serenitie-Love Truehart, 4th Runner-Up ($100 Scholarship); Addison Kohler, Interview Winner ($100 Scholarship); Kercheena Pamphile, Spirit of MNB Teen Award ($100 Scholarship); Emmalyn Pereira, Lucem Diffundo Award ($100 Scholarship); Elena Rae Monteiro and Olivia Charest, Scholastic Achievement Award ($100 Scholarship); and Emmalyn Pereira, Civic Engagement Award ($100 Scholarship).
To learn more or to get involved, visit www.missnewbedford.org
