Johnston's Salzillo crowned Miss Pre-Teen US Italia

By Pete Fontaine
Posted 12/8/17

Emma Salzillo has enjoyed success in such sports as soccer and basketball.

The daughter of Gary and Toni Ann Salzillo, Emma, who recently turned 14, has also enjoyed other sparkling successes and …

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Johnston's Salzillo crowned Miss Pre-Teen US Italia

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Emma Salzillo has enjoyed success in such sports as soccer and basketball.

The daughter of Gary and Toni Ann Salzillo, Emma, who recently turned 14, has also enjoyed other sparkling successes and is now a budding beauty queen.

Back on October 1, the popular Johnston High School freshman received a prestigious honor and stunning crown after winning the title of Miss Pre-Teen US Italia.

It was the pretty and popular Salzillos first-ever run at such a beauty title, yet, after a day that was filled with high expectations as well as some highly-competitive events, she heard her name announced as the winner inside the Hilton Hotel Ballroom in Providence.

“Emma loves her Italian heritage,” Toni Ann Salzillo said about her daughter. “So, after some discussion, she decided to compete in her age division for girls 12-14. We were all so excited when the judges read hear name!”

While Salzillo won the Miss US Italia Pre-Teen Title in Providence, she recently came in for yet another honor from the entire Johnston Town Council inside the town’s Municipal Courthouse off Atwood Avenue on Tuesday night, Nov. 15.

Councilman Richard J. DelFino III, who represents District I, invited the entire Salzillo family, Gary, Toni Ann, Michael and Emma’s Grandmother Joann Caruso, to the meeting and showered the newly-crown Miss US Italia Pre-Teen with words of praise and presentation of a special Official Commendation along with a standing ovation for the recently-crowned queen.

“Everyone in District I – as well as those residents of our great town – are extremely proud of what Emma [Salzillo] has achieved,” DelFino said. “It’s yet another of the Italian-American heritage that we are all very, very proud of and we wish Emma well in future pageants and endeavors.”

A total of six women ranging in age from 7 to 27 and up were named winners in as many categories during the annual contest which is directed and produced by pageant founder Pat Paolino Cruz.

“We are excited that, in such a short time, the pageant is able to expand to include contestants beyond the Rhode Island borders,” Cruz wrote in a pre-pageant press briefing. “Our title-holders, past and present, are a fun and trendy community of sisters who have become ambassadors of many worth causes.”

Cruz, who first founded the pageant in 2014 held competitions under the banner of Miss Rhode Island Italia but now uses the slogan Miss US Italia in a number of age categories, said the non-profit has helped Make-A-Wish Foundation and “Help Warm the Homeless – A Clothing Drive and Fundraiser” events.

“Not only are we excited to have created an event which displays a beautiful representation of our Italian-American heritage,” Cruz said, “we are equally as proud to spread a positive message about our culture through positive community involvement.”

Contestants in different age divisions competed in formal wear and on stage interviews in front of a panel of judges during the recent pageant and once crowned the title-holders received their crown, official banner, professional photo shoots, gift certificates and gifts from participating sponsors.

“This was a great night for Emma,” her father Gary, who owns and operates Northeast Auto Body and serves as president of the Johnston Youth Football League, said. “I personally want to thank Councilman DelFino and all members of the Council for taking the time to recognize my daughter.”

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