“I found out this past week that my patient is alive and well, and my cells are actually international,” she said. “I’m so excited to educate and advocated for my platform. A lot of people don’t realize how simple the process is, and how impactful it can be.”
As the final announcement was made, Peloquin said her mind went blank.
“Nothing. Blankness,” she said. “Then I instantly thought of my grandparents. I lost them very recently and they had been my main motivation. I know that I had angels gracing me on stage.”
Peloquin competed in 2014 for the same title, also performing a tumbling routine and placing as a semi-finalist. She then took a year off from pageants to focus on school. Last year, she changed it up and sang as Rapunzel, and was third runner-up.
“This year, I worked especially hard, changed my talent [back] to tumbling, and I think it’s paid off,” she said, adding that she felt cool and collected throughout the competition, including the prior day’s preliminary competition.
“Oddly calm,” she said, “in comparison to the past. I would have this sense of anxiousness and nervousness. Before I walked out on stage, I was just so calm. I didn’t have the shakes and I wasn’t sweating.”
The new Miss Rhode Island said that while it might not sink in that she’s competing in the Miss America competition in September until she’s actually there, she is actually a little bit familiar with Boardwalk Hall, having competed there previously in a cheerleading competition.
“I’m excited to take my tumbling back to that same stage,” she said.
Whatever happens in Atlantic City, Peloquin said she hopes to be impactful to Rhode Island during her year.
“Jessica Marfeo, Miss Rhode Island 2013, is one of my best friends. Throughout her year, she did over 300 appearances. It’s my goal to beat her out,” she said. “I really hope to make the most about this year.”
Peloquin also had high praise about her experiences in the Miss America/Miss Rhode Island system, and with her fellow competitors this week.
“This is the most empowering organization I’ve ever been involved with,” she said. “It’s truly a sisterhood. I’ve made some of the best friends through this organization. Everyone was extremely helpful backstage and that makes it a truly enjoyable experience.”
In a pageant earlier the same day, 15-year-old Caroline Hollingsworth was crowned Miss Rhode Island’s Outstanding Teen. Hollingsworth, who has practiced piano for 12 years, wowed the judges with a superbly-performed classical piece.
With a platform of Music Education to help Underprivileged Youth Acquire Musical Knowledge, Hollingsworth said she also has a lot of travel in mind.
“I’m going to be visiting 70 high schools, which is all of the high schools in Rhode Island,” she said.
After hearing her name announced as the winner, Hollingsworth said she couldn’t control her happiness.
“I can’t talk. I was laughing and smiling. All I can do now is smile. I’m so happy,” she said, adding that the same wasn’t true earlier in the show. “I was so nervous. I had such butterflies in the beginning. Through my talent, I was shaking, but then I felt like I did a pretty good job.”
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