Meet Lauren Percy, Miss NH 2017

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DERRY, NH — Lauren Percy, of Bow, was crowned Miss NH on April 29 during the annual Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Pageant. Fun facts: She was first runner-up in 2016, and beyond her outward beauty, she’s a huge SNL fan girl, who plans to apply her interest in higher education to a position with the Department of Education one day.

 

Percy will now go on to compete in the Miss America Pageant, which will be judged September 6, 7, and 8, in Atlantic City, with the final night of competition airing Sept. 10 on ABC.

 

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Q. How has pageantry affected your life?

The Miss America Organization gave me the confidence to take my make-up off. After being involved with the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program as Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen 2011, I uncovered the ability to love the person that I am. As Miss New Hampshire, I hope to help young women find themselves, just as my “big sisters” in the Miss America Organization helped me discover my true potential. 

 

People would be surprised to discover that I LOVE “Saturday Night Live”! Episodes from 1977, 1985, 2000, or 2014- it doesn’t matter! I love them all, and chances are, I’ve seen any skit you want to reenact! 

 

 

Internet sensation Kid President advised, “Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.” This quote drives my personal philosophy. I aim to help students uncover their own potential, and feel as though they have a valuable place in society, through my work in higher education and student affairs. 

 

Q. What is your major in college?
I graduated as a history major from the University of New Hampshire specializing in the transition period between the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. I also researched pirates and privateers from the New Hampshire seacoast! I am currently a graduate student at Teachers College, Columbia University, in the City of New York.  I study the purposes and policies of higher education. I plan to earn my Ph.D. in Education Policy and Social Analysis and work for the Department of Education. 

 

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In 2016 The Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program awarded $70,000 to local participants. Learn more about the scholarship program here.

• Miss New Hampshire 2016:  Caroline Carter, $15,000
• First Runner Up:  Lauren Percy, $4,500
• Second Runner Up:  Katie Smith, $3,500
• Third Runner Up:  Mariah Larocque, $3,000
• Fourth Runner Up:  Katie Masso-Glidden, $2,500
• William J. Haggerty Talent Award:  Jessica Avelar, $800
• Overall Interview Award:  Lauren Percy, $800
• Preliminary Talent Awards ($250 each):  Caroline Carter and Jessica Avelar 

• Preliminary Swimsuit Awards ($250 each): Katie Smith and Samantha Mackes

• Non-Finalist Interview Award: Kelsy Ferdinando, $350
• Non-Finalist Talent Award:  Hannah Trepanier, $350
• Meg Geraghty Memorial Community Service Award:  Jana El-Sayed, $1,000
• Donald C. Anderson Platform Award:  Samantha Mackes, 1,000
• George Naum Congeniality Award, Hanna Trepanier, $800
• Suzanne Knox Memorial Academic Achievement Award:  Samantha Mackes, $1,000
• Deborah Jean Howard Memorial Teacher Education Award:  Kelsy Ferdinando, $1,000
• Lisa Cripps Richer Memorial Humanitarian Award:  Alainna Belanger, $1,000
• Passion For the Arts Scholarship:  Sarah Tubbs, $1,500
• 5 Finalists (6th-10th place contestants, $1,500 each): Jessica Avelar, Samantha Mackes, Linda Lee Montminy, Sarah Tubbs, Sarah White

• 18  non-finalists ($1,300 each): Felicia Arsenault, Destiny Bennnett, Alainna Belanger, Kylee-Ann Drew, Jana El-Sayed, Kelsy Ferdinando, Ciara Ferland, Brooke Gatchell, Shawna Gile, Kat Howland, Stephanie Iacuzio, Kaley Missert, Taylor Morello, Laura Patnaude, Brittney Sulham, Hannah Trepanier, Sabrina Vail, Kayla Warren.