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Theresa Agonia was Miss Rhode Island USA 2016

24
Cumberland

2nd runner-up 2014, 2nd runner-up 2013, Semi-finalist 2011, 3rd runner-up Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2009, Semi-finalist 2008

A native of Cumberland, Miss Rhode Island USA 2016 Theresa Agonia represented Rhode Island at the Miss USA 2016 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. A first generation Portuguese-American, Theresa’s parents kept her very engaged in her Portuguese culture. In 2013, she became the first member of her family to graduate college, earning a BA in Media Communications from Roger Williams University. She was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza during her reign.

2016 bio:

Miss Rhode Island USA 2016 Theresa Agonia is the youngest child of Fernanda and the late Manuel Agonia, both from Viana do Castelo in Minho, Portugal. Growing up, her parents kept her very engaged in her Portuguese culture. She has been dancing traditional folkloric music with Rancho Dancas e Cantares in Cumberland, for 15 years, where she has served as dance instructor, secretary, and currently is President of the 40+ member group.

In 2007, Theresa competed in and won the title of Miss Dia de Portugal Rhode Island in the junior category, and later went on to win the senior category in 2009, winning a trip to Portugal. Her involvement in pageantry continued throughout the years, whether it was judging local pageants or competing in Miss Rhode Island Teen USA or Miss Rhode Island USA. This was Theresa’s fourth attempt at winning Miss Rhode Island USA, each time inching her way closer to the crown. She attributes Viola Davis’ 2013 SAG Award Winning speech message for Central Falls students to “Dream Big and Dream Fierce” as her inspiration to persevere for her dream.

In 2013, she became the first member of her family to graduate college, earning a BA in Media Communications from Roger Williams University. She has prioritized remaining active in her hometown, Central Falls, having worked in the Mayor’s Office and currently serving on the board for the Central Falls Alumni Association. Over the next year, she plans to be very involved in promoting cancer awareness in her father’s memory. Other passions she will be involved with during her reign include, access to education, increasing civic engagement, women empowerment, Alzheimer’s, the importance of blood donation, and many more.

Born and raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island, Theresa currently lives in Cumberland and is Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Jorge Elorza in the capital city of Providence.

Miss USA pageant photos

Competing in the Miss USA pageant is once-in-a-lifetime event few get to experience. Here are Theresa’s official Miss USA photos.

State pageant photos

The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Theresa’s state pageant photos.

Professional photos

Lights, camera, action!  Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.

Previous pageant photos

There’s nothing better than watching a contestant progress from year to year! Here’s a look back at Theresa’s previous pageant photos.

Farewell photos

All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Theresa’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor Kelsey Swanson as Miss Rhode Island USA 2017.

After the crown

Winning a state title is a sisterhood for life. Here are Theresa’s “after the crown” photos.

Get to know more Rhode Island titleholders...