Seabrook Woman Competes for Miss New Hampshire

Miss Souhegan Valley Samantha Russo, 22, of Nashua, was crowned Miss New Hampshire April 27 during the annual pageant at Stockbridge Theatre in Derry.

Russo, a graduate of Emerson College, won the preliminary talent competition singing "Don't Rain on My Parade." She is employed at The Seedling Cafe as well as in the marketing department for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats baseball team.

Her official pageant platform is "Kick Butts: Tobacco Education and Prevention." She was awarded a $13,000 scholarship.

Miss Rockingham County Kristin Crossland, of Seabrook, was among this year's 28 contestants.

Russo will go on to compete in the Miss America Pageant in September, which this year is moving back to its home base of Atlantic City. In 2005 the pageant moved to Vegas. 

Samantha Russo's Pageant Q&A:

How has pageantry affected your life?

Pageantry has affected my life in so many ways. First and foremost, it has made paying back my student loans less of a hassle.  Pageantry has also taught me to dream bigger. If someone told me a year ago that I would be competing for the title of Miss New Hampshire, I probably would have given them a strange look. I learn something new about myself every day because of this organization.

What would you say has been your greatest experience?

The greatest experience of my life so far would definitely be traveling to MLB Spring Training in Florida two years in a row. My school sent a small group of students down to Florida to cover 15 baseball teams (including the Boston Red Sox) and create a half-hour television special. I got to interview so many major league players and coaches. Not only was it a great boost for my resume, but it was so much fun to see first hand, as a working journalist, what goes on at Spring Training.

Are you an early-bird or a night-owl?

I am definitely an early-bird. I love to work out in the morning and watch Good Morning America. I like waking up early because it means that I have more time during the day to get things done.

What is your greatest achievement?

To date, my greatest achievement is being ranked nationally as a collegiate sports journalist. Sportscasters Talent Agency of America ranked me as the fifteenth best collegiate sportscaster in 2012. I was one of only two women to ever be ranked by the organization. It means so much to me that other people recognize my passion and hard work.