Megan Ranucci eyes Miss Teen Rhode Island North America prize

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Competing at the highest level is nothing new for Megan Joyce Ranucci.

Earlier this year, the Johnston High School junior teamed with other teenagers from Town Hall Lanes and traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, where they staked claim to the National Youth Duckpin Bowling Association championship.

Ranucci is also a member of the precision JHS varsity cheerleading team and enjoys other successes as a member of the Jean DeLuca Dance Competition Dance Team.

Just a year ago, she won the prestigious title of Miss Congeniality which was voted upon by those contestants who she competed against in the annual Miss Teen Rhode Island North America Pageant when she was voted the first-runner-up.

This Sunday, Ranucci will be back at the historic Stadium Theater in Woonsocket, competing against approximately 20 other teenagers for The Crown, the title of Miss Teen Rhode Island North America.

Competition will begin at 2 o’clock and contestants will be judged in three categories – interview, evening gown and active wear-swimsuits.

By 4 o’clock, the master of ceremonies will announce the 2019 winner who will be determined by a select panel of judges and move onto the National Miss Teen North America Pageant that will be in Florida in June.

How will Ranucci fare in the event?

Sunday will mark the fourth pageant the daughter of Melissa A. Ranucci will compete in for a coveted beauty crown.

She has previously participated in Miss Teen Rhode Island North America, National American Miss and Miss Rhode Island Teen USA.

People like Susan Parillo, who serves as Health and Physical Education Teacher at Winsor Hill Elementary School and the JHS cheerleading coach, will tell you: “Meagan never fails to leave a lasting impression on those she meets. Her outgoing personality energizes and the spirit of those around her. She is extremely kind hearted, always caring for her peers and taking interest in those around her.”

Ranucci has other traits, Parillo emphasized, such as “a contagious smile and infectious laugh that she’s had since she was a young child. She throws herself and everything she does with great effort and is dedicated to maintaining high scholastic standings while being very involved in dance, cheer and bowling.”

Sunday, her platform will be stressing the importance of keeping the earth clean and recycling.

“Oceans are extremely polluted with plants and chemicals,” Ranucci said earlier this week. “The pollution is killing animals in the ocean or making them extremely sick and it’s very sad. If everyone just recycled, this wouldn’t be such a huge issue today. I also want to be able to bring notice towards animal cruelty which is also a huge issue.”

To which Parillo offered: “Sounds like a great program to me. She is always willing to serve the community and has been involved in many other events including the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation, Wage Hope for Pancreatic Cancer, Light the Night for Lymphoma and Leukemia in the MDA Muscle Walk.

Ranucci, her coach went on, “volunteers her time for many different charitable causes. She has gained confidence from previous pageants and part of her participating in this pageant is the Catch the Crown Campaign, with all earnings being donated to a charity of her choice. She has also chosen to donate to local animal shelters and with her vibrant personality and dedication to bettering the community I can easily see her making a difference while wearing a crown.”

“Pageants are about women empowering other women and being each other’s support system,” Ranucci said. “You may not walk away with a crown, but you will walk away with friendships that last a lifetime.”

And, as Parillo said the other night: “More memories for Megan Joyce Ranucci – whose middle name is in honor of her “Nana” and one day hopes to become a dermatologist to honor her late Aunt Nadine M. Ricci of Johnston who passed away from Melanoma in January, 2012 – who everyone in Johnston is hoping will win the prestigious title of Miss Rhode Island Teen North American and go on to compete in the national pageant in June.”

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