Designed to empower and encourage girls with disabilities, the Miss Arc Pageant provides a supportive environment and a series of opportunities through which contestants build confidence and lifelong friendships. Contestants pay nothing to participate and receive a variety of benefits, including an inclusive and welcoming environment, confidence building exercises, activities designed to foster lifelong friendships, professional headshots, swag bags and prizes, along with a transformative opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of a live audience.

This year’s contestants are: Hailey Acevedo, age 15, Coral Springs; Halia Allen, age 13, Hollywood; Zoe Burgess, age 15, Coral Springs; Alyssa Custodio, age 16, Coral Springs; Grace Ann Garland, age 17, Hollywood; Madison Gerstein, age nine, Hollywood; Mikayla Golka, age 11, Parkland; Kayla Mills, age 16, Hollywood; Nevaeh Myers, age 15, Jupiter; Elizabeth Rivera, age 12, Weston; Luciana Avella Rodriguez, age nine, Pembroke Pines; Nola Schader, age 15, Miramar; Alessandra Soto, age 16, Hollywood; Kiely Vassar, age six, Fort Lauderdale; and Leila Yates, age 13, Pembroke Pines.

Additionally, 20 teen ambassadors representing 11 high schools from across Broward County serve as advocates and are matched with contestants to help mentor them throughout the months-long pageant season that began in February.

Along with teen ambassadors, local community groups and individuals are encouraged to register to form cheering squads that will show their support from the audience for individual contestants on stage by holding signs, cheering and applauding. High school students who serve on a registered pageant cheering squad can earn service hours.

On sale now, tickets to the family and sensory-friendly Miss Arc Broward Pageant are $18.75.

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit arcbroward.com/miss-arc-broward/