Shrewsbury Graduate Competes for Miss Massachusetts

Caitie Coates of Shrewsbury will be competing in the 73rd Annual Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Pageant is Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30, at 7 p.m. at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester. The two-night pageant features 16 young women from across the state competing for scholarship money and the opportunity to represent Massachusetts at the Miss America Pageant in January of 2013 in Vegas.

Caitie is a 2010 graduate Dean College, where she received her degree in dance. Continuing her passion for dance she performed for Walt Disney World and toured with Sesame Street Live following graduation. Caitie is now enrolled at Worcester State University looking forward to graduation in May of 2013. She is a 2008 graduate of and is the 21-year-old daughter of Paul and Jean Coates of Shrewsbury.

Each contestant embraces a platform that is true to their heart. Caitie's platform is entitled STEPP-Striving to Empower Positive Performance. She has made several appearances in the talking to students with diagnosed learning disabilities. Academic success is vital to succeed in today’s world. Explaining to students that we all have strengths and weaknesses and how success can be accomplished if you learn how to balance each.

The Miss Massachusetts Program stands for education, attracting highly motivated young women who are already leaders in their communities. The program reinforces that the positive aspects of our society are still important and desirable among our nation's youth. They are the future of our cities, towns and Commonwealth.

Again this year, viewers may help to select the Ninth Finalist for Saturday’s show. For a minimum vote of only $1, fans may visit www.missmass.org  and click the Online Voting link to cast your vote for Caitie-Miss Southcoast. Each dollar donated counts as one vote with proceeds benefiting the Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Foundation. Online voting is now taking place and will end at midnight on Friday, June 29.

Tickets are available for the Preliminary Show on Friday, June 29 and for the Final Competition on Saturday, June 30, and may be purchased online at www.thehanovertheatre.org or by calling the box office at 877-571-7469.