Miss Massachusetts to begin new reign in her life's history

Date: 7/21/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Alicia Zitka's whirlwind year as Miss Massachusetts may have come to an end earlier this month when she crowned her successor, but her journey is just beginning.

What's next for this West Springfield native? Zitka told Reminder Publications she plans to pursue a career in broadcast journalism and entertainment among the many other goals she's already set for herself.

"As Miss Massachusetts, I cannot believe how much I have grown and what I have been able to accomplish," Zitka explained. "The past year was the most challenging year of my life and also the most rewarding. When the crown was placed on my head, I knew that I had been presented with this opportunity for a reason and never took a single day for granted."

Dolores Rabuffo, executive director of Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Foundation Inc., called Zitka's reign an elegant representation of the organization's values.

"She's opened some doors [for the organization] in Western Massachusetts and we will try to keep that tradition going," Rabuffo said, adding that Zitka was the first woman from the western part of the state to be crowned Miss Massachusetts since 1997.

Zitka has spent the past year with a steady calendar of events throughout the state as well as intense preparation for the Miss America Pageant.

"In January of 2009, a dream came true for me when I represented Massachusetts at the Miss America 2009 pageant in Las Vegas," she said. "I did not win, but I returned home with memories that will remain with me forever and 51 new sisters (one in every state)!"

Zitka added that some of her most rewarding events included welcoming home war veterans from Iraq; a school tour promoting the anti-smoking campaign, Right Decisions Right Now; promoting her platform, "Building Self-Confidence in Children," as well as raising awareness of Children's Miracle Network.

"I have cherished every moment as Miss Massachusetts 2008," she said. "I loved traveling the state and meeting people while raising awareness for many worthy organizations.

"I have benefited from being Miss Massachusetts in more ways than I can even begin to mention ... I have gained scholarship earnings to assist with my personal and professional goals, discovered that I have the ability to reach out and improve the lives of others, while also acquiring time management and communication skills," Zitka continued.

She offered some words of wisdom to her successors, reminding them "always be yourself, stay grounded and remember why you want this job."

"Having a crown and a sash that reads 'Miss Massachusetts' enables you to reach so many people and to make a difference," Zitka said. "They are tools that you will use throughout your year to serve the people of this state."

She called the conclusion of her reign bittersweet, filled with closure and exciting new opportunity.

"While crowning my successor ... I definitely had a unique mix of feelings," Zitka explained. "On one hand, I was nostalgic and sad because I thought that being Miss Massachusetts was the best job in the world and did not want it to ever end. On the other hand, I was very excited for another girl to begin her year as Miss Massachusetts. This past year has only been the beginning of an incredible journey for me and I was honored to have served as Miss Massachusetts 2008!"