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Miss Polonia Elizabeth Dobrska with first runner-up Eliza Konarski of Middleton

For Mount Holyoke College student Elizabeth Dobrska, taking part in the seventh annual Miss Polonia Massachusetts pageant was a natural choice.

She's been to Poland four times, and her Polish heritage is a vital part of her everyday life, so an event celebrating that connection was appealing.

"Polish is all we speak at home," said Dobrska, a graduate of Granby High School.

"We try to keep our Polish traditions alive, like cooking traditional food, especially around the holidays," she said.

Dobrska, 20, was crowned Miss Polonia Massachusetts at the seventh annual pageant Sunday in Holyoke. She is still marveling at the experience.

"It was so much fun," Dobrska said. "I am definitely going on to compete in Miss Polonia USA, and hopefully Miss Polonia World."

Dobrska was one of seven Polish-American women who competed for the title at Piludski Park in Holyoke, making it the most competitive pageant to date, according to organizers.

"I was surprised and thrilled, and of course, very honored," Dobrska said Tuesday. "It means a lot to my family, especially my mom and dad."

Dobrska is a junior at Mount Holyoke, where she studies international relations with a focus on Eastern Europe; she has a minor in music.

She and the six other contestants competed in four different categories - personality, evening wear, swimwear and photographs.

Eliza Konarski from Middleton was named first runner-up, and also topped the personality category. Mary Mire of Westfield was the second runner-up and won the people's choice award. Jessica Zawaba of Worcester was the third runner-up.

Dobrska's title wins her a round-trip flight to Poland, which she will use to go to either Warsaw or Krakow to study in the spring.

"I've been to Poland four times before," she said. "I think it's a really great prize because it's a great opportunity to experience Polish culture first hand."

Dobrska, a classically trained singer who has performed at venues all over western Massachusetts, said she believes her experience on stage helped her in the competition.

"I think it definitely gave me more confidence on stage because I had that experience being in front of a large audience," she said.

Coordinator Irena Gadecki said the pageant is a way for participants and the audience to maintain a healthy connection to their heritage.

"I think it's important for any nationality to promote where they came from," Gadecki said "We want to promote Polish heritage within our own people and the community, too."

Dobrska said she is eager to fulfill her responsibilities as Miss Polonia Massachusetts.

Gadecka said those duties are an important role for Miss Polonia.

"Miss Polonia is invited to many different functions throughout the year," she said. "She will be in the Pulaski Day parade in Northampton, the Krakus Festival for Polish history at the Basketball Hall of Fame, and other events for Polish heritage month."