Get to Know the Women Representing New England at Petite USA

The New England Petite Organization is sending a powerhouse group of women to the 2024 Petite USA National Competition this July. These inspiring contestants from across New England will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to compete alongside titleholders from across the country in a celebration of confidence, community, and style.

Whether they're educators, business owners, artists, or advocates, each of these titleholders brings a unique story and purpose to the stage. Meet the women proudly representing New England at Petite USA.

Teen New England Petite: Eliyahna

Eliyahna is a rising sophomore Music Education major at Rhode Island College. She has a deep love for music and has spent three years in the Rhode Island All State Choirs. She is also a proud alumna of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Her platform, "The Coping Project," is focused on raising awareness around mental health and helping others learn healthy coping skills. Eliyahna is proud to represent her New England Petite family and cannot wait to step onto the national stage at Teen Petite USA.

Miss New England Petite: Lexy

Lexy is a business owner and media student from Rhode Island. A lifelong music lover, she has attended nearly 40 concerts and brings that same energy and passion to everything she does. Competing with New England Petite since 2023, Lexy is thrilled to finally be taking the national stage. Her platform is centered around spreading positivity through greeting cards, which she sends to children and teens facing physical or mental health challenges. As a speaker for NAMI, she has shared her mental health journey with hundreds of students, inspiring others to speak up and seek help when they need it.

Ms. New England Petite: Shannah

Shannah is a senior at Saint Michael’s College, majoring in Biology with a focus on marine microbiology and biotechnology. She is the founder of Slay Your Moment Photography, a donation-based glam and fashion photography service that helps others feel empowered through creative expression. Her platform, For the Love of Science, encourages youth engagement in STEM fields. Shannah runs a science kit donation drive and performs classroom science demonstrations throughout her state. She balances her love for lab work and the arts with international travel, gown design, and adventurous outdoor experiences.

Mrs. New England Petite: Erin

Erin has been married for 18 years and is a proud mother of two. A dancer and instructor, she is also a professional cheerleader for the Worcester Railers Hockey Club and an award-winning coach and choreographer. Erin is passionate about cultural dance and works with non-profit organizations to perform and teach traditional folkloric styles to children in both English and Spanish. She is a dedicated volunteer with the Boston Ballet Volunteer Association and strongly believes in promoting community and culture through the art of dance. When she is not in the studio, Erin enjoys spending time at the beach, weight training, cooking, reading, singing karaoke, and summering on Cape Cod.

Elite Ms. New England Petite: Tanya

Tanya is a seasoned model and actress with appearances at New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, and an upcoming walk at Paris Fashion Week. She has been featured on shows such as Law & Order, FBI, SVU, Bupkis, Billions, The Good Fight, and Diarra From Detroit. With a master’s degree in business management, Tanya has held leadership roles throughout her 32-year corporate career. She is also the owner and CEO of Duchess Royale Boutique. An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated, and a Charter Member of Society Incorporated, Tanya brings elegance, strength, and purpose to the national stage.

Ms. Massachusetts Petite: Jenna

After an eight-year break from pageantry, Jenna returned to the stage with a goal to simply have fun. She left the New England Petite pageant weekend with so much more, including the title of Ms. Massachusetts Petite. Jenna is a career firefighter trained in a variety of rescue disciplines. Her lifelong passion is animal welfare, and her platform, Tossed & Found, combines her love of animals and nature by focusing on environmental cleanups and supporting animal shelters across New England. Jenna is excited to bring her message of service and compassion to Petite USA.

Mrs. Massachusetts Petite: Jasmine

Jasmine is known for her kindness, creativity, and strong sense of purpose. She is deeply dedicated to her family and friends, and her platform centers on raising awareness for Alzheimer's and Dementia. Jasmine hopes to inspire others to embrace who they are, chase their dreams, and make a positive impact. Outside of pageantry, she enjoys exploring new places, cooking, and engaging in creative projects that bring people together.

Good luck to all of these incredible women as they compete at Petite USA 2024! You can learn more about the national pageant at petiteusa.com Apply for the next New England Petite Pageant taking place in November: https://www.newenglandpetite.com/