This year, Miss Maine High School America 2022 was awarded to Mikaela Pellerin, student at Gorham High School (GHS). In June, Pellerin will be traveling to Little Rock, Arkansas, to compete in the national Miss High School America Scholarship Pageant.
There, Pellerin will participate in three categories; interview with judges, fun fashion runway, and evening gown runway.
Along with having the opportunity to win over $100,000 in scholarships, travel, wardrobe, prizes, and photoshoots, Pellerin has also been awarded a scholarship for $24,000 over four years by Hollins University.
Pellerin was very optimistic when she spoke about her new position as Miss Maine High. “I’m very excited to announce my state title and have so many great things planned for my reign as Miss Maine High.”
Along with her reign, Pellerin is a member of nine programs. One of her favorites is the Adopt-A-Classroom Program, in which she was an assistant teacher for 3rd and 4th grade classes at Great Falls and Village elementary schools. Pellerin described this experience as a positive one, stating, “It was a great opportunity for me to gain some leadership skills as a freshman.”
Pellerin runs a podcast called, BRAVE x EMPOWER. “I want to show other people who are shy how to advocate for themselves to combat bullying, specifically young girls who are experiencing pushback in aspirations in STEM.”
She attributes her ability to speak up for other young women like her to the Miss Maine High program. “Having the platform of being Miss Maine High gave me the audience.”
When asked about her support system, Pellerin immediately answered “family”. Specifically, her parents and brother, Hunter Pellerin, GHS senior, have helped her get to where she is today.
She also talked about her new pageant sisters. She describes these sisters as “remarkably talented, intelligent, supportive, and kind hearted.”
Pellerin shared some of her favorite things about living in Gorham, mentioning Shaw Park, where she loves to explore nature with her dog, Paisley.
While Pellerin is staying open, her top choice of college is the University of Vermont, as her dad graduated from the university and the school has an appealing Pre-Med program. In ten years, Pellerin sees herself graduating from medical school and beginning her residency, where she’ll learn what it means to be a good pediatrician.
Pellerin is full of hope and optimism not only for her future, but for her community as well. When asked if she had any advice for younger students, Pellerin answered, “My advice would be to dream as big as possible and don’t let anyone keep you from achieving your goals! You can do anything and everything you aspire to do if you work hard.”