That very evening, 16-year-old Jillian Fitting had been asked the loaded question: What has been the happiest moment in your life so far? Had it been asked just a little later, the LaSalle Academy junior may have answered a bit differently, as by the end of the night, she was crowned 2019’s Miss Fourth of July.

“It just feels so surreal,” she said.

Jillian was one of 15 young women ages 16 to 20 who participated in the 70^th annual Miss Fourth of July Pageant, held Saturday at the Mt. Hope High School Performing Arts Center. That same night, another 15 young girls, ages 7 to 9, vied for the title of Little Miss Fourth, in its 22^nd annual event.

“We say that the Fourth of July celebration kicks off on Flag Day, but I have to tell you it kicks off tonight,” said Fourth of July Committee General Chairman Fran O’Donnell.

For more than two hours that evening, Mistress of Ceremonies Mary Lou Palumbo guided the 30 hopefuls as they were ranked on their poise and appearance, question-and-answer session on stage, and behind-the-scenes, private interview with judges Patricia Frazier, Wenli Frazier, Sydney Hahn and Marie Witham. Frank Fales served as this year’s tabulator.

Dressed in evening gowns and party dresses and discussing everything from the impacts social media can have on society to the person they would most want to have a conversation with at dinner, each of the participants strived to stand out from their competition.

“My only regret is that not all of them will be selected, but in my opinion, they are all winners,” said Pageant Committee Chairman Patty Squatrito.

Yet only one in each category could hold the title, and after two performances by the Extensions School of Dance and a farewell bid to Jade Ramos and Addison Abate — last year’s Miss Fourth and Little Miss Fourth, respectively — the jam-packed auditorium was ready to meet this year’s winners.

In third place for the Little Miss pageant was Adele Correia, a third-grade student at Guiteras School, while Colt Andrews School third-grader Julia Pisasale came in second. The audience erupted into cheers as Mekayla Neves, a fourth-grade student at St. Mary Academy Bay View, was crowned Little Miss.

Mekayla, an avid dancer, singer and soccer player with aspirations to become a neurosurgeon, impressed judges with her response to what she would do to entertain friends at a sleepover (spoiler alert, it may just involve cozy pajamas and a friendly pillow fight).

“Sleepovers create memories with friends that create bonds that last a lifetime,” Mekayla said.

In the Miss Fourth competition, Roger Williams University junior Cailin Burke was named fourth runner-up, followed by Mt. Hope senior Meghan Alegria-Oliver. University of Rhode Island sophomore Kristen Couto was both second runner-up and this year’s Miss Congeniality, while Roger Williams junior Sophia Desmairas came in as the first runner-up.

As this year’s Miss Fourth, Jillian will receive a $250 scholarship from the Fourth of July Past Chief Marshals’ Association, in addition to prizes donated from local businesses given to all winners and court members.

With their new titles in hand, both Jillian and Mekayla will spend the next year representing the Town of Bristol at a wide variety of different functions and events, most prominent of which will be the upcoming 234^th Fourth of July Parade. It is an adventure both are more than willing to embark on.

“We have such a great town; it’s like one big, happy family,” Jillian said. “I’m just so excited to be a part of it.”