Local woman wins Mrs. NH USA crown

Irene Raissis Alton of Amherst was crowned Mrs. New Hampshire United States 2009. The state competition was held May 2 at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts.

Along with winning the state title, Alton also won the categories of Evening Gown and Swimsuit and received the 2009 Pageantry Spirit Award for New Hampshire.

Alton’s platform is about promoting and encouraging volunteerism and community involvement. The organizations she is involved with are the N.H. March of Dimes-March for Babies Campaign, Go Red for Women, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and volunteermatch.org.

Alton is also involved with the Amherst Junior Women’s Club, Girl Scouts and is a school volunteer coordinator.

The upcoming Mrs. United States Pageant will be held July 19-26 in Las Vegas and will be taped for broadcast. Alton will be competing for the title of Mrs. United States 2009, along with contestants representing all 50 states.

For more information on the Mrs. United States Pageant, visit www.mrsunitedstates. com.