Emily Audibert crowned Miss Connecticut 2012

Emily Audibert of Wolcott was crowned Miss Connecticut 2012 at the Garde Arts Center in New London on June 30. The twenty-one-year-old performed a lyrical dance to the song “Listen” by Beyonce Knowles for the talent portion of the competition, where she competed against 23 other young women from across the state.

Emily Audibert is full of emotion as she is crowned Miss Connecticut 2012 in New London on June 30. Photo by Steve Smith.

Emily Audibert lets some emotions out after the curtain closes.

Miss Connecticut Emily Audibert performs a lyrical dance in the competition finals.

Connecticut Emily Audibert rocks the runway in the swimsuit competition.

“Once I made the top ten, all fear and anxiety left me and I was just having a great time,” Audibert said, immediately after the competition, adding that she was a bundle of energy as the competition came down to her, and Miss Hartford County Ashley Membrino. “I was really excited, because I had gotten the two awards [Lifestyle and Fitness, and Overall Talent], and I would have been happy with that. Ashley had worked so hard for this, as well as I did. When they called her name [as runner-up] I was so shocked, so thankful and so proud of myself.”

Audibert said it took a few moments to sink in as she was taking official photos right after the pageant, and when Miss Connecticut 2010 Brittany Decker reminded her that she was heading to Miss America.

“That’s when the tears started to come,” she said. “I’m so excited. I’m ecstatic. I cannot wait to represent Connecticut at Miss America.”

For more information, visit www.missctamerica.org