Hamdenite Crowned Miss Connecticut

RIDGEFIELD – Following two full days of rehearsals and a competitive preliminary round, the field of 11 Miss Connecticut hopefuls had been narrowed to just two: Miss Hamden, Cayla Kumar, radiant in a sleek, bright yellow evening gown, and Miss Wolcott, Alexandria Maisto, equally elegant in black velvet. 

Every contestant had delivered strong performances across all phases of competition — on-stage question, fitness, talent, and evening gown — and now the final two stood center stage, hands tightly clasped, as the crowd waited with bated breath to find out who would be the new state titleholder.

The Miss Connecticut competition was held this Saturday at the Ridgefield Playhouse following a preliminary competition on Friday night and a year of local pageants. The winners of the Miss and Teen title will go on to represent Connecticut at Miss America and Miss America’s Teen in September. The Miss Connecticut program recently celebrated its 100 years in 2022, and is the only New England state to have produced a Miss America.

When Maisto’s name was announced as the first runner-up, Kumar’s hand flew to her face in stunned disbelief, her eyes wide as the audience erupted in cheers. Her coronation marked the culmination of a years-long journey for Kumar, who first entered the Miss America program as a child, serving as a ​“princess” — one of the young girls invited to shadow a titleholder during competition week.

“She’s always had this stage presence,” mother Romeena Kumar told the Independent after Friday’s preliminary, where Kumar had performed a Bollywood fusion dance for her talent. ​“She’s been dancing since she was four years old. I think I cried when she danced because she had spinal surgery in 2019 — we weren’t sure if she could dance again, so it was amazing to see her take the stage.”

Kumar’s path through the organization has been defined by dedication and service — she was crowned Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen in 2018, before stepping away from competition to pursue her education. 

Now, recently graduated from Quinnipiac University with a master’s degree in biomedical sciences at only 22 years old, Kumar returned to the Miss Connecticut stage, representing Hamden. Her Community Service Initiative (CSI), ​“Be The Cure: The Gold Ribbon Project”, is focused on raising awareness and supporting families affected by pediatric cancer — a mission she hopes to continue in her future career as a pediatric oncologist.

“I met [Kumar] this year during our graduate year doing our medical science program together,” friend Sofia Vega said. ​“I was able to see her while we were studying — she was so determined, so focused on our academics. To be able to see her bring that determination onto the stage — it’s been amazing to see her carry though the same amount of power and energy.”

Along with the Miss Connecticut Crown, Kumar was also awarded the Photogenic Award for best headshot and Best Overall Interview.

Also celebrating Friday night was Miss New Haven, Victoria Diaz-Torres, who had won an award for being the second highest fundraiser of this year’s Connecticut titleholders for the Miss America spotfund. She raised $1,070. The amount will be split equally between the Miss America Organization, the Miss Connecticut Organization, and the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign. 

Diaz-Torres, who took home another award Saturday for Best Overall Talent, has spent her time representing New Haven county with her CSI, ​“It Takes a Village”, devoted to youth impact.

“I grew up without parents, and I really wouldn’t be anywhere if it weren’t for my village,” Diaz-Torres said. During her talent performance, a HerStory monologue, she highlighted the support of Ida Castro — her mother’s best friend and the first Latina chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission — who remained a guiding force after the death of Diaz-Torres’ parents. ​“She stayed in my life and convinced me to keep going, to go to college.”

Diaz-Torrez is currently pursuing her JD at Yale Law School — this is her first year in the Miss Connecticut program. ​“The thing I love about the Miss America organization is how accessible it can be,” she said. ​“There’s a really strong emphasis on scholarship and service. To me, I thought it allied really well with my career and going to law school, where I can have an education that emphasizes critical thinking and ethical leadership.” 

As Kumar prepares to represent Connecticut on the Miss America stage this September in Orlando, Florida, she’ll do so with the support of her fellow titleholders, the Miss Connecticut organization, and its sponsors. Joining her on the national stage will be the newly crowned Miss Connecticut’s Teen, 15-year-old Haylee Patton of Bristol, who will compete for the Teen title. Patton’s platform, ​“Ladybug Outreach,” is dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.