Storrs Resident Crowned Mrs. Connecticut Internationa

JanMarie Weston, 55, of Storrs was crowned Mrs. Connecticut International this month and will go on to compete for the title of Mrs. International 2013 during the final competition in Chicago, July 16-20, 2013. Weston teaches at Windham Technical High School in Willimantic and is the General Education Department Head. She is an active community servant volunteering for numerous events and causes, including the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, Connecticut’s own Channel 3 Kids Camp, and Read to Grow, which she will continue to promote through her platform supporting literacy as Mrs. Connecticut International. Read to Grow is based in Branford, Conn. and works to get books into the hands of mothers while they are still in the hospital with their newborns. The program continues with children as they grow up, providing additional books and information to parents. On behalf of Read to Grow, she will conduct book drives across the state and host a series of “read-alouds” for children. Her literacy platform also promotes her “Real Men Read” initiate, which recruits businessmen come to junior high schools to read to 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Research shows that boys begin losing interest in reading at the 6th grade level, and this program strives to give boys strong role models who will encourage them to continue to enjoy reading. “Literacy is the key to education and economic growth for our state and for the country,” said Weston. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help others understand the importance of literacy through my new role as Mrs. Connecticut International, which will allow me to educate more people across our great state.” In addition to each contestant’s charitable platform, International Pageants’ also supports the National Heart Association’s Go Red for Women program through volunteer and financial support. The Go Red for Women movement is dedicated to fighting heart disease among women. The Mrs. International Pageant is owned and operated by International Pageants, Inc., which also operates Miss International and Miss Teen International pageants. It is the only platform-based pageant system dedicated to highlighting women’s accomplishments through community support. Mrs. International showcases married women 21-to 56 years old and features three categories of competition, including interview, evening gown and fitness wear. For more information, visit www.mrsinternational.com

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