CHS grad to compete for title of Miss Mass. 2026
By Canton CitizenBy Darcie Fisher
The 2026 Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Competition will be held at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester on Friday evening, June 19, with the finals scheduled for Saturday evening, June 20. Among those vying to be the 86th Miss Massachusetts is Tess O’Riordan, a 2022 Canton High School graduate and 2026 graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music with a degree in contemporary dance.
Tess O’Riordan
O’Riordan, 22, currently holds the title of Miss Blue Hills and was previously crowned Miss Boston (2025), Miss Massachusetts Teen (2021), and Miss Boston Teen (2019). She is the daughter of Carolyn O’Riordan and the late Edmund O’Riordan and will be dancing for the talent phase of the competition. Her community service initiative is titled “Funding a Future of Hope: Advancing Cancer Research and Care.”
Miss Massachusetts 2025 Khailah Griffin spent the last year making appearances around the commonwealth as well as promoting her community service initiative titled “Blueprint: Creating Solutions for Unhoused Americans.” Griffin recently obtained a Master of Science in medical sciences from Brown University and has earned over $17,000 through competing in the Miss America Opportunity.
“Being Miss Massachusetts has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Griffin. “Traveling across the state to serve the community, meet people from all walks of life, and inspire the next generation to achieve greatness is a blessing I’ll hold deep to my heart forever. “I’m so grateful because I gained not only scholarship money to fund my education, but a sisterhood and a lifelong list of cherished memories.”
The field of 23 contestants will be narrowed to a top 10 — one of whom earns her spot by being named People’s Choice. Supporters help select the People’s Choice position by voting online. Each vote is $1 and counts as one vote. Online voting is live now and will end at 10 p.m. tomorrow, June 19. For more information, visit missmass.org and click on the online voting link.
“The 2026 Miss Massachusetts Class is made of up young women who are passionate about community service and making a difference across our state,” said Dolores Rabuffo, executive director of the Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Organization. “In addition to crowning our next Miss Massachusetts, the weekend is also a time to recognize and celebrate the many accomplishments of Miss Massachusetts 2025 Khailah Griffin. We look forward to welcoming our local titleholders to Worcester and are proud to be able to offer scholarships to help fund college tuition.”
The next Miss Massachusetts will earn a $15,000 scholarship and will compete at the 105th annual Miss America competition in September in Palm Beach, Florida. She will also take part in celebrating America’s 250th birthday celebration in Philadelphia next month.
Tickets to the 2026 Miss Massachusetts competition can be purchased online at thehanovertheatre.org/event.
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Posted by Canton Citizen
on Jun 19 2026. Filed under Featured story.
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