Greenwich Teen Wins Awards at Miss Connecticut Competition

Greenwich teen Pippa Leigh didn’t win the title of Miss Connecticut over the weekend. But the 17-year-old who is Miss Hockanum Valley 2015 did earn three awards at the competition held at the Mohegan Sun Cabaret Theater.

Leigh was the youngest competitor among the 13 women vying for the title of MIss Connecticut and the chance to compete in the Miss America competition in September.

The recent graduate of Convent of the Sacred Heart walked away with the Miss America Organization’s Academic Award. the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Pageant’s Community Service Award and Non-Finalist Talent Award.

Leigh, who is an accomplished singer and performer, as well as a figure skater, performed ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade” in the talent competition.

During the weeklong series of events leading up to the Saturday night finals, Leigh wore couture dresses by Greenwich designer Katie Fong.

Leigh said that although she felt ready to take the Miss Connecticut title, her current title Miss Hockanum Valley will afford her more freedom to work on her personal platforms.

She spoke with state representatives during pageant week about her platform, “Think Before You Post; Social Media Safety.”

Leigh would like to bring her platform to elementary school children that “if you don’t want to see it on a billboard, don’t post it online.” She is writing a children’s book that she will share with students during visits at schools.

In addition to her social media safety platform, Leigh also is working with the Connecticut Veterans and the Westport VFW ladies auxiliaries, encouraging high school students to compete for the scholarships the VFW offers in its Voice of Democracy and Patriotic art competitions.

Leigh also is preparing her upcoming appearance representing Connecticut in the State Games of America in Lincoln, NE, where she will skate in the senior ladies division. She also was selected to carry the state flag in the opening ceremony with Olympians Lolo Jones and Jordan Burroughs.

Photos courtesy of Pippa Leigh. #1: Pippa Leigh performs at the MIss Connecticut competition. #2: Leigh in the evening gown competition. #3: Leigh with NBC Connecticut’s Heidi Voight.