Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 13, 2025
Arc Broward Opens 13th Annual Pageant for Girls with Disabilities
TLDR
- Arc Broward's free pageant offers young women with disabilities a platform to showcase their talents and gain confidence through professional headshots and prizes.
- Arc Broward's 13th annual pageant on May 17, 2026, pairs contestants with teen ambassadors who provide mentorship and help earn volunteer service hours.
- This inclusive pageant builds community and belonging for young women with disabilities while promoting advocacy and lasting friendships through supportive mentorship.
- Teen ambassadors can help create magical experiences for pageant contestants while developing leadership skills and earning school volunteer hours.
Impact - Why it Matters
This initiative matters because it addresses the critical need for inclusive spaces where young women with disabilities can build confidence, develop social skills, and see themselves represented in celebratory events. Traditional pageants often exclude or marginalize individuals with disabilities, reinforcing harmful stereotypes about beauty and capability. By creating a dedicated platform that celebrates diversity and inclusion, Arc Broward not only empowers participants but also shifts public perception about what people with disabilities can achieve. The program's dual focus on contestants and teen ambassadors creates intergenerational connections and teaches valuable leadership skills while promoting disability awareness in the broader community. Such inclusive programming helps combat social isolation, builds essential life skills, and demonstrates that disability doesn't diminish one's right to participate fully in celebratory community events.
Summary
Arc Broward is celebrating a remarkable milestone with the opening of applications for its 13th Annual Miss Arc Broward Pageant, inviting young women ages 6 to 17 with disabilities to participate as contestants while also calling for students to serve as teen ambassadors who will mentor, support, and help raise awareness throughout the pageant season. The inspiring event is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 2 p.m. at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale, marking over a decade of building confidence and community for women with disabilities through this transformative program. According to Julie Price, CEO of Arc Broward, this pageant represents much more than a competition—it's a celebration of belonging, courage, and self-expression where each girl is celebrated for exactly who she is.
The Miss Arc Broward Pageant experience extends far beyond the stage, with participation being completely free for all involved. Contestants receive professional headshots, swag bags, exciting prizes, and participate in group activities that foster meaningful connections and strengthen self-esteem. Meanwhile, teen ambassadors develop crucial leadership skills while serving as mentors, advocates, and liaisons between contestants and the public, with both teen ambassadors and cheer squads earning school volunteer service hours for their participation. The organization also encourages school, youth, and community groups to form cheer squads to support pageant participants from the audience, creating a comprehensive support network that reinforces the program's core mission of inclusion and empowerment.
Applications for both contestants and teen ambassadors are due by December 15, with interested parties encouraged to visit arcbroward.com for submission details and additional information. The organization also offers sponsorship opportunities for individuals and businesses interested in showcasing their support, with inquiries directed to David Perez at dperez@arcbroward.com. Since 1956, Arc Broward has been at the forefront of changing how people with disabilities are embraced and included, operating across nine locations and providing 21 programs throughout Broward County, Florida, while pioneering social enterprises like Arc Educates and Arc Culinary to help individuals with disabilities realize their full potential in all aspects of community life.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Arc Broward Opens 13th Annual Pageant for Girls with Disabilities
