For the second year in a row, Kelsey A. Beck ’14 is taking the stage to compete for the title of Miss Massachusetts. Last year’s Miss Boston, Beck will compete starting Friday night in hopes of representing the Commonwealth at the Miss America pageant in September.

Beck, a rising Kirkland House senior from Florida who entered her first pageant last year, won the Miss Lakeville competition on March 10, landing her a spot in the Miss Massachusetts pageant. Beck says she could not compete for the title of Miss Boston a second time because she won the competition last year.

If crowned Miss Massachusetts on Saturday, Beck will earn scholarship money and a chance to compete for the title of Miss America.

"It's just been a whirlwind, and I'm just so blessed [with] the opportunity to possibly represent the state of Massachusetts this upcoming weekend,” Beck says.

In order to win the Miss Massachusetts title, Beck will have to answer an on-stage question and walk in swimsuit and evening gown portions of the event. In addition, for the talent portion, Beck says that she plans to play a selection on the piano—“Toccata,” a composition that her mother played while competing in the Miss America Pageant after winning the title of “Miss Florida 1971.”

Since she was crowned Miss Lakeville, Beck has engaged in various kinds of service work, including volunteering at nursing homes. Her platform in the competition, which outlines a charitable cause she will advocate for as a pageant winner, focuses on advocacy for the elderly and inspiring youth.

Reflecting on her experience with pageantry thus far, Beck says she is grateful for the support of the community at Harvard.

What’s she excited for? “Everything,” Beck says.

"We actually run out to…'Run the World (Girls),'” Beck says. “I'm just excited to get up there, and have fun, and smile."