The program was in danger of closing in 2008, but the state stepped in and provided financial assistance.
However, that funding is not expected to continue forever and any help received from the community, such as event like the BCHS pageant, is important. In 2006, the pageant raised $2,000 for a local charity in 2007 the amount rose to $2,200 and went to the Bristol Hospital cancer center. Last year was one of the program’s best years, bringing in $3,700 for the Cambridge Park Branch of the Bristol Boys and Girls Club. So, this Saturday night, the 10 senior contestants &mdash Jonathan Bermudez, Alex Capirchio, Karl Galvan, David Garuti, Nick Mancini, Jesse Martin, Paul Ryskowski, Justin Tacinelli, Joe Vecca and Ben Wibly &mdash will try to set another milestone. The contestants will participate in talent, school spirit and question-and-answer sessions. The field will then be halved by a panel of judges to five finalists and then the winner will be chosen after a final round of questions. It’s a very simple formula, but the show has grown in popularity through the years since it started back in 2003. “I’m very proud to be associated with this program,” Monahan-DiNoia said. “It’s a great thing, they seem to work harder every year,” Monahan-DiNoia said. The show will include a wide variety of wacky things that are being kept under wraps until show time as to not spoil the fun, but organizers say attendees you can expect some laugh-out-loud moments. “It will be very entertaining and hysterical to watch,” Monahan-DiNoia said. The pageant will begin at 7 p.m. in the Bristol Central High School auditorium. Tickets will be sold at the door for $7 apiece. A semi-regular blog about the news and events in Bristol, Connecticut. Brad Carroll gives his latest take on both the local and national sports scene.
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