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A Few Clouds Former East Rockaway student crowned Miss Teen New York
When Mepham High School sophomore Sabrina Mastrangelo, of Bellmore, captured the title of Miss Long Island Teen last August, it was only her second pageant. So she was more than a bit surprised when, in her third competition, she was named Miss Teen New York.
In January, Mastrangelo, 15, joined 40 other teen pageant stars from across the state who took part in the Miss Teen New York event at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center. After a series of interviews, and evening gown and swimsuit competitions, the field was narrowed to the top 20. Mastrangelo had made it to that phase of the pageant last year, so she knew what to expect. Following more interviews, the field was narrowed to 10, and then five.
Mastrangelo and the four other final contestants were then asked questions onstage, in front of the audience. One judge asked Mastrangelo whether she thought there was too much violence on television. “I was never exposed to that, and my parents did a great job,” she said she told the judges. “Other parents need to be aware.” (It’s important to try to remain open and honest when answering a question at a pageant, she said later.)
Each of the final contestants was also asked a question by one of her fellow competitors. Mastrangelo was asked what set her apart from the other girls. A newly gained confidence made her stand out, she said. “I wasn’t always the most confident person, and competing in pageants has been a huge boost for me,” she added.
She was as surprised as she was honored to be crowned Miss Teen New York, she said. “They definitely had experience — they all have great confidence on stage,” she said of the other competitors. “It was a shock [to win], especially because I’m just 15.” Contestants range in age from 14 to 18.
With another title under her belt, Mastrangelo is looking forward to the Miss Teen USA pageant this summer, the date of which has yet to be announced.
