The Westview News

Press Release
Pride and Pageantry
Date
August 16, 2013

Westview Health Care Center hosted two Miss Connecticut pageant contestants- Miss Litchfield County Valerie Voccio and Miss Shoreline Ashley Hamel.

The dynamic duo smiled from ear to ear as they visited and entertained the residents and patients with their vocal and instrumental talents. Audience members were delighted as they sang along to specially written creative arrangements of favorites such as "Love You I Do," "Moon River," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and "I Dreamed a Dream."

Miss Litchfield County is Brooklyn resident Valerie Voccio, who graduated from Woodstock Academy in 2011 and is in the midst of pursuing her nursing degree at University of St. Josephs in West Hartford. Throughout her life Valerie appeared in multiple northeastern Connecticut theatrical performances and contests, which highlighted her strong vocal capabilities. Her dream of competing in pageants and using the opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives was realized when she was crowned Miss Litchfield County in January 2013.

When asked about the honor Miss Voccio stated, "The symbol of the crown is not about what I have accomplished but rather what I can do for the good of others within our community."

Berlin, Connecticut resident Ashley Hamel was crowned Miss Shoreline in March 2013. She is the lead singer in the local cover band "Juice Box" where her vocal and instrumental talents are showcased. In 2006, Ashley graduated from Berlin High School and attended the University of Connecticut and graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. She is presently working as a Drama Teacher at Washington Elementary School and Verplanck Elementary School.

Ashley is proud to represent the Shoreline and states, "Having the crown opens up opportunities such as networking and organizing fundraising performances for Literacy Volunteers that otherwise I would not have experienced."

Both young ladies competed among 20 contestants in the Miss Connecticut 2013 pageant held in June where Miss Valerie Voccio received 2nd Runner Up and The Spirit of Miss America distinction; and Miss Ashley Hamel was within the top-10 finalists.

"We are truly honored to have hosted these talented and motivated young ladies here at Westview," remarked Administrator David T. Panteleakos. "The residents and patients really enjoyed their performance and these ladies certainly represent the best of their generation."

Westview Health Care Center is a 103-bed skilled nursing inpatient facility, which includes a distinct and self-contained 28-bed subacute short-term rehabilitation unit and an Outpatient Rehabilitation and Aquatic Center. Westview is proud to have received such accolades as US News and World Report America's Best, Consumer Reports Top 10 Connecticut Nursing Facility rating and Health Grades 5-Star Top Ranking.