Miss Hampton Beach 2024 crowned: Ella Hamilton of Kittery wins title

HAMPTON — Ella Hamilton said she was in "complete shock" after being crowned the 2024 Miss Hampton Beach .

"I'm just so excited for this year," she said. "I have so many plans, and I can't wait to help the community and be a positive image for young girls."

The 19-year-old from Kittery, Maine, and a St. Thomas Aquinas graduate, bested eight other contestants Sunday at the 78th Miss Hampton Beach Pageant.

This was her first time competing in the Miss Hampton Beach Pageant, but she is no stranger to pageants.

In 2023, Hamilton earned the title of Ms. Teen Kittery and represented her town in the Miss Teen Maine Competition. Additionally, she was honored as American Ideal Miss Teen Maine, showcasing the Pinetree State in America’s Ideal Miss competition.

Hamilton, who lives with functional neurological disorder (FND), said competing in pageants has changed her life for the better. She authors a blog titled “Discover the Courage Beneath the Crown,” where she candidly discusses her disorder, which sometimes manifests as fainting, tremors, and seizures. She said the goal of the blog is to inspire others on "how to find your courage to your own crown."

“I started it about two years ago,” she shared. “I needed an outlet during a really tough time. It helped me connect with others and also empowered them to find their voices.”

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Hamilton said she learned about the Miss Hampton Beach Pageant from a friend who previously competed in the contest.

"It's my first local pageant," she said. "I think the local ones are great because it's a community pageant and I'm all about the community."

Contestants competed in the swimsuit and evening gown contests and were judged based on “appearance, poise and personality.”

Hamilton donned a pink bathing suit and pink gown inspired by her favorite color and the movie "Barbie"

"All of my stuff is pink," she joked. "It shows just a little bit about my character and it's a little fun."

Hamilton shared that the toughest part of the contest was the on-stage interview, where the top five finalists were asked a question written by a former Miss Hampton Beach.

“It’s always a bit nerve-racking not knowing what the question will be,” she admitted. “Other than that, I wasn’t too nervous. I just came out to have fun.”

Her question, posed by Miss Hampton Beach 2022 Hannah Richie , was why she should be chosen as the next Miss Hampton Beach.

“I said I have the qualities of Miss Hampton Beach, which is to be courageous,” she explained. “Every girl up on this stage has courage for being here…”

Hamilton tied for the highest score in the on-stage interview with Leah Bridge, 23, from Manchester, who was named first runner-up in the contest.

Bridge, a student at Hawaii Pacific University, was asked what kind of business she would run at Hampton Beach. She responded that she would establish a business renting out mobility scooters, beach wheelchairs, and other equipment to help people access the beach.

"I think accessibility at the beach is very important," she said.

The other contestants in the top five were second runner-up Alexandria Pryzgoda, 16, of Hampton; third runner-up Samara Engelking, 17, of Lee; and fourth runner-up Mollie Pimental, 23, of Dracut, Massachusetts.

Pryzgoda also took home the title of Miss Congeniality, which was voted on by the other contestants.

Hamilton said she looks forward to serving for the next year as the ambassador to Hampton Beach.

"I'm super excited to attend all these amazing events," she said. "My favorite events are the New Year's Eve fireworks and the Sand Sculpting Classic."

Hamilton is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, majoring in social media and marketing.

Miss Hampton Beach is the second oldest pageant in the state. Stephanie Lussier, the pageant director who has been organizing the event for the past 28 years, was crowned Miss Hampton Beach in 1995. She also organizes the Little Miss and Junior Miss Hampton Beach pageants.

On Saturday, Riley Quinn Lafave, 13, Williamstown, Vermont, was crowned Junior Miss Hampton Beach and Avery Claire Daigle, 9, of Salisbury, Massachusetts, was named Little Miss Hampton Beach.

Miss Hampton Beach 2024 contestants

Carmen Olivia Lapointe, 20, of Hudson

Ella Hamilton, 19, of Kittery, Maine

Alexandria Pryzgoda, 16, of Hampton

Jennaeve Pimental, 19, of Dracut, Massachusetts

Leah Bridge, 23, of Manchester

Samara Engelking, 17, of Lee

Madison McLaughlin, 16, of East Boston, Massachusetts

Haylee Clogston, 22, of Salisbury, Massachusetts

Mollie Pimental, 23, of Dracut, Massachusetts

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Miss Hampton Beach 2024 crowned: Ella Hamilton of Kittery wins title