The year of a lifetime
Scholarships, Service, and a "Sisterhood" like no other.
More than $220,000 in educational scholarships awarded since 1954!
THANK YOU to all who attended this year's show! We hope you'll follow our titleholders + stay informed about upcoming events!
DEOLINDA "DOLLY" MENDES
Miss new bedford 2026
Dolly Mendes is a 22-year-old senior at Rhode Island College pursuing her degree in Nursing. A native of New Bedford, her community service initiative is titled, “Next-Gen Navigators: Promoting the Power of Mentorship” which aims to connect more youth to positive role models. For her talent, Mendes performed an upbeat jazz dance. Mendes is the 72nd woman to hold the Miss New Bedford title and will compete for the title of Miss Massachusetts in June 2026.
Follow Dolly’s year @missnewbedford or contact us at info@missnewbedford.org to request an appearance.
ADDISON KOHLER
Miss NB's Teen 2026
Addison Kohler is a 15-year-old sophomore attending Connections Academy of Massachusetts (TECCA). Her community service initiative is titled, “Childhood First: Improving Pediatric Healthcare,” where she will continue to fundraise, connect with children in medical facilities, and advocate for improvements in how young patients are treated. For her talent, Kohler tap danced. She is now the 15th young woman to hold the teen title and will compete for the state title in June.
Follow Addison’s journey online at @missnewbedfordsteen. For appearance requests, email info@missnewbedford.org.
DONATE TO OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Your generosity helps us to empower and support even more young women across Southeastern, MA.
In 1954, the New Bedford Jaycees began their sponsorship of the Miss New Bedford Scholarship Program. The first Miss New Bedford under that sponsorship, Judith Drake, went on to capture the title of Miss Massachusetts and competed at the Miss America Pageant. In 2008, the Greater New Bedford Scholarship Foundation took over the program’s sole sponsorship. During these past 70+ years, the program has maintained consistent sponsorship and is proudly recognized as the longest consecutively-run program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Miss New Bedford is a local preliminary of the Miss America Organization, a leading advocate for women’s education, and the largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States.
Miss New Bedford
Miss New Bedford's Teen
A local preliminary competition to Miss Massachusetts’ Teen and Miss America’s Teen, the pageant is a “little sister” to the annual Miss New Bedford Scholarship Program.
Contestants compete in five phases of scored competition: a private six-minute Interview, Talent, Physical Fitness, Evening Wear, and On-Stage Question. Contestants are expected to exude confidence and drive, demonstrate academic excellence, and show a commitment to service.
Our Teen chooses a personal platform, which she will promote and advance during her year, in addition to serving as a role model for young girls in the Greater New Bedford area.
The Miss New Bedford Troupe was founded in 1982 to provide quality live entertainment to community groups and organizations while striving to bring the performing arts to audiences who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Modeled after the Miss America USO Troupe, it features current and past Miss New Bedford titleholders, as well as special guest performers.
Members of the troupe collectively bring well over 100 years of performing experience. Kalent Productions provides its time, equipment and audio engineering services to ensure that all shows are of the highest quality.
Miss New
Bedford Troupe
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