DERRY — When 22 young women compete for the title of Miss New Hampshire next weekend, none will be hurling fire into the air.
But that doesn't mean they're not able to.
"It'll sizzle the little arm hairs off you, but it doesn't hurt," explained Katrina Bernard, one of three contestants who has, in fact, hurled flaming batons into the air and caught them without being horribly maimed.
But when it comes to Pinkerton Academy's Stockbridge Theatre next weekend, the fire marshal isn't crazy about anyone starting a blaze. That's why Bernard will be performing a baton twirling routine with her little arm hairs intact.
Batons with giant blades are out, too, Bernard said.
The Miss New Hampshire contestants, mostly college students, were rehearsing production numbers for their May 2 and 3 pageant yesterday. Spoiler alert, it begins with the whole group dancing in white cocktail dresses to an extremely up-tempo version of Beyonce's "Irreplaceable."
The event is part of the Miss America competition, which dates back 1921 but has, in recent years, rebranded itself with a reality TV show and a stronger focus on scholarship and community service.
Competitors start at local pageants, trying to earn a title that will let them to move up to the Miss New Hampshire contest. Bernard holds the Miss Greater Derry crown, for instance.
Then the Miss New Hampshire winner competes in Miss America, which this year will air on The Learning Channel for the second time. It is a scholarship competition, after all.
So, what's it like being one of the beautiful people?
"Every single one of us is beautiful on the inside," said Janine Mitchell, a Derry native and the current Miss Auburn.
Meghan Lamontagne of Pelham, who is currently Miss Merrimack Valley, agreed.
"I think anyone can be beautiful," she said.
They reminded this reporter that 35 percent of a judge's decision is based on the contestants' talent performance — from singing to tap dancing to, yes, baton twirling. Another 25 percent is based on the interview, they said.
Mitchell, who won the Miss America Outstanding Teen competition in 2006 but is competing for the first time in the Miss New Hampshire contest, said she's much more interested in the comradery and the scholarship money than with questions about who's prettiest.
Elysha Greenberg of Windham, the current Miss Londonderry, said the same thing.
"You get to be this great role model," she said.
And, of course, the title of Miss New Hampshire can be a stepping stone. One former Miss New Hampshire became a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall and is now a college professor, another is a correspondent for CBS in New York.
And the current contestants all seem to have a clear sense of where they want to go.
For Rebecca Scalera, a former Pinkerton student and the current Miss University, the contest might just be a first step on the road to hosting a children's television show one day.
When it comes down to it, the 18-year-old Scalera said, "I want to get slimed on Nickelodeon."
If you go
What: The 62nd annual Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Competition.
When: Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, at 6:30 each night.
Where: Pinkerton Academy's Stockbridge Theatre.
How much: $50 for both nights, or $25 for Friday night and $40 for Saturday night. Those under 18 pay only $25.
Tickets are sold at the door, and the box office opens at 5:15 both nights.
