Stonehill Sophomore takes home Miss Somerset on Saturday

By Maddi Achtyl

When Stonehill Student, Class of 2028, Jamie St. Onge heard her name announced as the new Miss Somerset, she couldn’t believe it.  

“When they called my name, I was completely overwhelmed with emotion and overjoyed,” she said. 

Competing in only her second Miss division pageant on November 15 at Westport High School, she entered the competition simply hoping to gain more experience. 

Competing as one of the youngest contestants, she attributes her success this time around to her dedication to her preparation. 

“I want younger girls to know that hard work pays off,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how young you are; you can always make a difference, and the sky is the limit!” 

Last year, she held the title of Miss Southeastern Massachusetts Teen, where she first fell in love with the Miss America Opportunity, the official name of the organization, and everything it represents. Returning as a Miss contestant felt like a natural next step, but she had no idea the moment would become historic. 

“I am now the first of their Teen titleholders to also win their Miss title, which means so much to me,” she said.  

Adding to the night's significance, her older sister, Jordan, had the honor of crowning her on stage, a moment St. Onge describes as “incredibly meaningful.” 

St. Onge’s community service initiative, ‘Your Weight Does Not Define Your Worth: Promoting Body Positivity, ’ is rooted in her own experiences growing up. As a young girl, she was often on the receiving end of comments about how thin she was, remarks that slowly chipped away at her confidence.  

“It really hurt my confidence as I was growing up,” she shared. “Now, I want to be there for any young girl who is struggling with body image issues as well.” 

She hopes more people understand what the Miss America Opportunity truly offers beyond competition nights and glamorized assumptions.  

“The Miss America Opportunity is solely scholarship-based, which means the money won goes directly toward schooling,” she explained. “Many young women have been able to graduate college debt-free thanks to this organization.” 

Looking ahead, St. Onge is excited to begin new projects that align with her mission of promoting confidence and self-love. One idea she hopes to bring to life is the Be.YOU.tiful photoshoot fundraiser, designed to give participants natural, unedited portraits in a world dominated by filters and digital perfection.  

She also plans to continue visiting schools to speak with students about body positivity and the importance of believing in themselves. 

St. Onge used to be a shy 13-year-old, and now, through this organization, she said she has grown into a confident young woman. She had some advice for young girls looking to compete for the first time: 

“Just go for it! Even if you don’t win, you gain so many valuable skills that can help you in the future, such as interview and public speaking skills.”