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Miss Massachusetts graceful at Miss America PageantBy Katelyn GendronReminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD On Jan. 24, six months of intense preparation, a week of rehearsals and preliminary competition reached its pinnacle when Miss Massachusetts, Alicia Zitka of West Springfield, stood on the Las Vegas stage for the primetime telecast of the Miss America Pageant. Miss Indiana, Katie Stam, took home the crown but that did not diminish Zitka's accomplishments as Miss Massachusetts or her dedication to her reign. "I approached the Miss America Pageant the same way that I approached Miss Massachusetts," Zitka told Reminder Publications. "I knew in my heart that if it was meant for me to win, then I would. I wanted to enjoy every possible moment of the experience and make great friends along the way." Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Fund Director Dolores Rabuffo praised Zitka for her superlative representation as the state's candidate for Miss America. "We're very proud and pleased with what she's accomplished," she said. "Unfortunately they can only pick one girl." Zitka described the experience as one that taught her about the bonds of sisterhood and friendly competition. "Competing at the Miss America Pageant was actually very similar to competing at the Miss Massachusetts Pageant," she explained. "At both pageants, your 'competitors' are actually your inspiration. The other contestants push you to be the best 'you' that you can be." Zitka described the days leading up to the primetime competition as intense but vital to "strengthening our bond as the 'Miss America Class of 2009.'" "At a national competition, it comes down to knowing yourself and what you have to offer," she explained. "I went in to every phase of competition at Miss America being comfortable in my own skin and keeping a positive attitude. From participating in Miss America, I have gained 51 phenomenal sisters one from every state in our nation, a lot of self-knowledge, and memories that will forever be embedded in my being." Zitka said she returned home and to her duties as Miss Massachusetts the day after the Miss America Pageant. She added that she will continue her work as an ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network as well as promoting her platform, "Building Self-Confidence in Children." Zitka will also be making several appearances at schools across the Commonwealth as part of an anti-peer pressure program called "Right Decisions Right Now." As for the future of Zitka's pageant life, she said she's ready for anything. "Up until a few years ago, pageants had never crossed my mind," she said. "I never would have dreamed of wearing a crown, let alone the Miss Massachusetts crown. But now I know that sometimes God dreams bigger for you than you can dream for yourself. Competing in pageants has taught me about who I am and the kind of woman that I want to become. I am still unsure about what I will be doing when I crown my successor in July, but I am a girl who is constantly setting goals for herself. I feel like the world is a canvas and I have only begun to paint my masterpiece." For caption information click on each photo
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