Special bond: Local mother-daughter team takes top honors at recent beauty pageant

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If first impressions offer any indication, Lola Rose Paolissi may be headed toward a career on the beauty pageant runway.

Several weeks ago, the eight-year-old Brown Avenue School third-grader teamed with her mother – Ms. Rhode Island Italia Stephanie Paolissi – and entered a unique event entitled the Mommy & Me Princess Pageant in Southington, Conn.

The pageant – overseen by director Kimberly Beaudoin, who is the reigning Mrs. Connecticut United States Universal for 2016 – was deigned to give moms and daughters something fun to do together, and provide a bonding experience.

“My goal was to make sure that the mother/daughter duos had fun and made memories,” Beaudoin said. “Some of the little girls and their mothers had experiences in pageants, but never as duos, so some were stepping out of their comfort zone.”

Like the other Mommy & Me contestants, the Paolissi pair competed in outfits of their choice and introduced one another.

Once the competition was complete, Stephanie and Lola Rose took center stage to accept two gorgeous custom crowns, as they were judged “The Best” duo in all categories and were named the overall winners from a field of Mommy & Me teams that came from all over New England.

Their crowning moment was unexpected, yet it was the bonding experience Stephanie wanted Lola Rose to have during her first-ever beauty pageant.

After carefully researching the event, its philosophy, and director, Stephanie was convinced the pageant would be another example of learning sportsmanship, meeting new friends, and starting possible new friendships for her daughter, who is also a gymnast and equestrian who has a huge heart for animals.

From the time Stephanie registered for the pageant to the moment she and her daughter were presented with their crowns, the entire experience added to the love and bonding that a single mother shares with her talented daughter.

“Winning the titles was extra,” Stephanie said. “We had so much fun preparing for the pageant, between shopping for dresses, choreographing our own routine for modeling, picking out our music, and even a mother/daughter photo shoot … It was just a great bonding time for us, and full of fun.”

Although there was no title for Miss Congeniality, Lola Rose may have walked away with top honors if there had been such an honor.

“The day of the pageant, Lola Rose was so excited to meet the other kids, she brought each of the children a little stuffed animal to break the ice,” Stephanie said. “She has such a huge heart, and once it was time to take the stage, she rocked. It was like she was born to be on the runway.”

While Stephanie is no stranger to beauty pageants – as she as competed at the state and regional levels, and last year staked claim to the title of Ms. New England Italia runner-up – Lola Rose had never before competed.

And even after the duo’s newfound success, Stephanie was still her humble self, saying her biggest accomplishment in life is Lola Rose.

“I have raised Lola Rose on my own as a single parent,” she said. “Our bond is truly special and unique, and I think our love for each other showed through during the pageant. And whether or not she decides to compete in more pageants or never again, I will always be her biggest cheerleader.”

However, Stephanie did say Lola Rose has big plans, and wants to use her new title to do some sort of project to give back to animal shelters.

“Although I’m speaking as her mother, I’m sure this isn’t the last you’ll hear from Lola Rose,” Stephanie said. “She has big plans for what I hope will be an amazing and bright future.”

That sentiment was echoed throughout Brown Avenue School, said Diana Mollicone, Lola Rose’s teacher.

“Lola is a beautiful little girl both inside and out,” Mollicone said. “I am so proud of her. It’s just a pleasure to have her as a student this year.”

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