When her mom suggested that she participate in a pageant in order to build her resume, Isabella Bennett, a 2013 NKHS graduate, was initially a little skeptical. But her interest in environmental issues soon led her to the Miss Earth United States Pageant, a self-described “International Environmental Event.”

“It’s more than just a regular pageant,” Bennett said. As part of the competition, she created a multimedia page to interact with her community, specifically around environmental issues. The pageant also helped her improve her public speaking skills, and serves as an international platform to draw attention to problems concerning the environment.

In 2017, Bennett was named Miss Rhode Island Earth United States. In addition to the pageant, she also participates in environmental issues on a personal level. She enjoys gardening, has a compost bin, and attends beach cleanups. “I’m passionate about climate change,” she said.

Bennett hopes to encourage middle school and high school students to participate in the Miss Earth United States Pageant. “Teen contestants must be between the ages of 14 and 18. There is a prize package for becoming Miss Teen Rhode Island Earth United States that includes a modeling contract,” she said. “Whoever is appointed the title will be given the chance to compete for Miss Teen Earth United States and if they will they will go on to represent the USA at Miss Teen Earth and receive a college scholarship.”

Bennett said that the pageant is a beneficial and worthwhile experience. “It really gives you a lot of [opportunities to] participate in volunteering  in your community,” she said. “And it [also] helped improve my public speaking skills and build my resume.”