Jillian Zucco, a 22-year-old senior at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, will travel to Hoopeston, IL to represent Massachusetts at the Miss National Sweetheart Pageant. Zucco, competing as Miss Middleboro, was selected as first runner-up in the 2015 Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Pageant held in Worcester in June. Meagan Fuller of Attleboro, MA was crowned Miss Massachusetts, competing as Miss Collegiate Area. Fuller will compete next month at the 95th Annual Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, NJ.
The National Sweetheart Pageant began in 1941 as part of the National Sweetcorn Festival. In 1952, the tradition of choosing the National Sweetheart from among the first or second runners-up in the State Miss America pageants began. The winners of these states’ pageants go on to compete in the Miss America pageant. Five former Miss National Sweethearts eventually went on to become Miss America the year following their reign. During the week of August 31 – September 6, 43 state runner-ups will be welcomed in Hoopeston for a week of press events, rehearsals, and community appearances leading up to the selection of Miss National Sweetheart 2015. Kalie Wright, representing Idaho, was the winner of last year’s competition.
Competing for the third year at the Miss Massachusetts Pageant where she placed both previous times as a Top Ten Finalist, Zucco was formerly Miss Fall River and Miss New Bedford. She is a senior in the Honors Nursing Program at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and is also a licensed EMT. A 2011 graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School, her goal is to become a registered nurse and ultimately, a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
At the University of Massachusetts, she has distinguished herself academically as a Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship Recipient and has achieved Dean’s List status each semester. She has served in many leadership roles in the community over the years, volunteering her time as a co-director of a singing troupe as well as raising funds and awareness for many organizations. She has won the Miss America Community Service Award and has been awarded the Miracle Maker Award for three consecutive years at Miss Massachusetts by raising over $8000 for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. She averages 700+ hours of community service each year.
A talented vocalist, dancer and actress, Jillian has won many awards in both music and dance and has held lead roles in numerous musicals throughout the Southcoast area over the years. In the talent portion of the competition, she will perform a vocal performance to That’s Life. She will also compete in Evening Wear, Private Interview, On Stage Question and Lifestyle and Fitness. Her issue of concern is “Choose a Cause, Make a Difference” where she advocates for the importance of volunteering.
Jillian is the daughter of Kelly and John Zucco of Mattapoisett.