Siena Muccioli, 16, of Nashua, was recently chosen by Primary Bank to receive a $10,000 Young Hero Scholarship for dedicating 900 hours to helping young children. Courtesy photo/Patti Muccioli

NASHUA – Siena Muccioli, 16, of Nashua, began volunteering when she was only three years old and has grown to embody everything that volunteerism represents.

At the age of six, she started her own nonprofit organization, Hugs and Snugs, which provides young children with stuffed animals and bedding.

Currently a junior at Founders Academy in Manchester, Muccioli was recently chosen by Primary Bank to receive a $10,000 Young Hero Scholarship for dedicating 900 hours to helping children.

“I love volunteering, I always have,” she said.

Having come from an abusive situation when she was younger, Muccioli has worked primarily with the United Nations Children’s Fund and with local organizations including Bridges: Domestic and Sexual Violence Support and Marguerite’s Place.

“I wanted to help other children find themselves,” said Muccioli.

In addition to her passion for volunteering, Muccioli followed in the footsteps of her older sister Krystal and has been deeply involved in the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Organization since 2011.

During her first year in the organization, Muccioli, who was five years old at the time, was named Little Miss New Hampshire.

She said what she enjoys the most about the organization are the friends she has made along the way.

“The people are very good people,” she said.

Since 2019, Muccioli has held local titles for Rockingham County, Nutfield and Souhegan Valley. In February of this year, she was named Miss New Hampshire and will be competing for the title of Miss America Teen in January 2024. Should she be chosen for this elite title, Muccioli said she would have the opportunity to travel and speak to children all over the world.

“I’ve never been out of the country,” she said. “I think it would be really cool to go to China.”

Muccioli’s mother, Patti, said her family has been part of the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Organization for the past 14 years.

“Siena was at Miss America at the age of three cheering for her big sister, Miss New Hampshire 2010,” said Patti. “She grew up seeing how much of an impact she could have in the world and it sparked her passion for giving back.”

She also commended her daughter for “turning childhood hardships into a positive.”

“Siena is making the world a safer place for children,” said Patti.

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