Xanthi Russell, 23, of Durham (left), and Megan Plaza, 16, of Londonderry, will be travelling to Orlando, Fla. to compete for the titles of Miss America and Miss America Teen. Courtesy photo

LONDONDERRY – For five days in September, Megan Plaza, 16, of Londonderry, will be in Orlando, Fla., vying for the prestigious title of Miss America Teen.

In May, Plaza became the first Londonderry resident to be crowned Miss New Hampshire Teen since Kerri Sossei won the competition in 1989. On the national level, Allie Nault of Gilford has been the only Granite Stater to be named Miss America Teen with her victory coming in 2016.

The title of Miss New Hampshire Teen also came with a $5,000 scholarship. Thus far, Plaza has earned $13,600 in scholarships during her time in the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program. The winner of this year’s Miss America Teen competition will receive a $30,000 scholarship.

Plaza, a junior at Londonderry High School, is a member of the National Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society and the Lancer Marching Band. She has also been at the helm of the Suitcase Project, a nonprofit organization she founded four years ago that provides foster children with luggage.

Xanthi Russell, 23, of Durham, will also be travelling to Florida with the goal of becoming the first Granite Stater to be crowned Miss America. The only other New Englander to win the national competition was Marian Bergeron of West Haven, Conn. who took home the title in 1933.

Russell, the first Durham resident to be crowned Miss New Hampshire, received a $15,000 scholarship for her victory in May. She has also earned $61,000 in scholarships during her time in the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program. This year’s Miss America winner will receive a $50,000 scholarship.

As Miss New Hampshire, Russell has worked with young people to promote leadership development through Miss America Opportunity and the 4-H program.

She holds an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies from the New Hampshire Technical Institute.

“We can’t wait to see both of these exceptional young women shine on the national stage,” said David Appleby, president and co-executive director of the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program. “These young women are smart, talented and they provide inspiring volunteer service to their communities. They are incredible representatives of the Granite State and we are excited to cheer them on at the national competition.”

The competitions will be held from Sept. 2-7 and will be streamed live on PageantVision.com.