FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – (September 20, 2015) – ARC Broward, a not-for-profit dedicated to transforming the community by providing opportunities for people with disabilities and other life challenges to realize their full potential, hosted the kick off of their Third Annual Miss ARC Broward Pageant with a grand tea party at the Huizenga Pavilion in the Mary Porter Ballroom on September 20th at 2pm with over 175 guests all dressed in their tea party best.
Pageant hosts Joy Taylor of the Zaslow and Joy Morning Show and Nicole Krauss, Media and Community Relations Manager for Publix Super Markets, got the afternoon festivities started by introducing each of the twenty contestants and allowing them their time to shine. Pageant contestants were escorted by the ARC Broward Ambassadors, a group of young girls who are volunteering their time to be part of this very special pageant.
Prizes were awarded for best tea party hats, with two winners in the adult division and two winners in the children’s division. Tea party hat judges were Stacy Ostrau, Publisher of Sun-Sentinel’s Society Scene, and Katie Adler, Owner of Miss Katie’s Charm School.
Miss ARC Broward is a pageant like no other. It is an unforgettable experience for girls with disabilities to showcase their talents, make lifelong friends and gain confidence. Since its inception two years ago, not only has the pageant helped transform the contestants, but it has given the over 1,000 community members who have attended an opportunity to see the contestants in a whole new light.
“One of the best parts of the Miss ARC Broward Pageant is the reaction from the audience,” says Jessica Rodriguez, Director of Development at ARC Broward. “In an hour and a half, you see so many emotions fill the Historic Parker Playhouse. It seems that guests leave transformed by the experience just as much as the contestants.”
The kick off tea party was sponsored by Manny and Annie Kadre and hosted by ARC Broward board member Tanya L. Bower, Esq. of Tripp Scott. Guests delighted in dainty sandwiches, wonderful teas and delectable deserts, catered by ARC Broward’s Culinary Institute.
“The Miss ARC Broward Pageant is one of the highlights of the year for me. I look forward to the pageant weekend and all of the events leading up. They provide opportunities to meet the contestants and their families and to witness their growth throughout the process. It’s a beautiful reflection of ARC Broward’s mission to transform our community,” said ARC Broward President/CEO Dennis Haas.
The Miss ARC Broward Pageant will be held on November 15 at 3pm at the Historic Parker Playhouse, contact Kristina Lucia at klucia@arcbroward.com or 954-746-9400 for more information. Tickets are on sale now, to purchase your ticket to the pageant, visit www.parkerplayhouse.com.
ABOUT ARC BROWARD
Since 1956, ARC Broward has worked hand-in-hand with the community to provide the encouragement and opportunities that create life-challenging outcomes so that people with disabilities and other life challenges can live, work, and play in their communities. ARC Broward operates at nine locations and provides 21 programs throughout Broward County, FL. These include ARC Broward’s “mission based” enterprises that provide training and employment opportunities for individuals served while generating revenue to help fund services . To learn more or to donate visit www.arcbroward.com or call 954-746-9400. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
