Meet Miss Massachusetts

A background in bat morphology, a future dentist, soon-to-be-participant in American Ninja Warrior, Team USA Obstacle Race member, an anchor-host of the Obstacle Race Media Network, dance instructor, and Miss Massachusetts, all wrapped into one person; Lyndsey Littlefield.

A chance encounter in 2013, when she was just 13, with a past Miss Taunton led Littlefield to take this exciting and successful path! “I attended an event where the Miss Taunton made an appearance, and had the opportunity to talk with her there.” Littlefield explains. “Two weeks later, at a yogurt shop, my mom and I ran into this terrific woman, not wearing her sash or crown, and she remembered me, by name.”   That Miss Taunton determined, without knowing it, Lyndsey Littlefield’s path, at least a significant part of that pathway.

In that yogurt shop, Littlefield learned about the Miss Taunton pageant program, and how scholarships were offered. No one in her family had been able to attend college, but Littlefield already had an interest in becoming a dentist.  She entered the teen pageants. When she was a senior in high school, Littlefield turned 17, which meant she could enter the Miss Taunton pageant, and she was the 4^th runner – up.  As 4^th runner up, she received scholarship money, enough to pay for her costs to apply at colleges, and her first semester at Bridgewater State University.

Littlefield continued to enter pageants, and continued to be awarded scholarships as she promoted what she believed in, that every woman is perfect just as she is.  In 2020, she graduated from Bridgewater State University with a degree in biology, and the background in bat morphology.  More on that a little later!  She graduated college debt – free, in large measure because she had received $30,000 in scholarships! 

As she was attending college, she found time to compete in a number of sporting events, including Obstacle Course Racing. “It’s sort of along the lines of mudder events.” Littlefield explains.  Along the way, she attracted the attention of Team USA’s Obstacle Course Race team, and was asked to -while now Miss Massachusetts already—to represent Massachusetts on Team USA.  At the North American championships, Littlefield won 1^st place!

Littlefield also anchored a number of competitions for the Obstacle Course Racing Media Network.  Somehow, she also found time to become a dance instructor, focusing on ages k-12.   

In the course of her college work ( this is all about the bats ) Littlefield had to do a thesis. One of her professors had an interest in bats, and Littlefield became a supporter of bats ( so necessary to our environment ) and intrigued about how, why, and what insects bats ate, and how different bats seemed to eat very selectively. ( in terms of what insects they ate )  Littlefield explored that she developed a methodology to study of the bats’ jaws and teeth might affect how which bats choose which insects they eat, and how that affects our environment. Researchers are now taking her results and methodology around the country ( Littlefield studied bats in Bridgewater ) and doing studies of their own.

Littlefield’s participation in NBC’s American Ninja Warrior has been delayed by the corona virus, and the crisis shutting down the competition for the time being. “I’m doing what training I can at home, as there are no facilities available to anyone right now to train at.” Littlefield says. “It’s not ideal, but many of the competitors have some restrictions, and I’m just doing what I can to train.”

In the meantime, Littlefield was just asked to continue as Miss Massachusetts for an additional year, as the 2020 pageant was scheduled for June.  She happily agreed to stay on another year, and will continue her efforts to bring people together and empower young women.  “I’m looking forward to expanding my social impact initiative that focuses on helping young women, no matter what resources may or may not be readily available to these young women and their families, to develop better skills in decision making, as well as encouraging them to like who you are, and self-identification.

Littlefield works a great deal with Girls INC chapters around the state ( Worcester, Lynn, Lowell, and Brockton among the chapters that currently exist ) in the course of this work.  Girls INC and Littlefield work with local school systems in developing the programs as well as recruiting resources. “If anyone is spending this quarantine time cleaning out their homes, and they would like to dispose of un-needed kitchen supplies, or dance costumes, or school supplies, we could use them!” Littlefield says.  She’s also involved in helping chapters expand, and recruiting more volunteers.

If you think about it, what a fabulous example of what anyone would hope for in a Miss Massachusetts. If you think you’re busy –how about keeping up with Lyndsey Littlefield?  

Editor’s Note: 

I have not had the pleasure to work with Lyndsey, but over the past twenty years have been fortunate enough to work with a number of title holders, in conjunction with charities I was serving as either a staff member or volunteer.   Without exception, I found these young women smart, accomplished, focused on goals, committed to helping others, and interested in learning through experiences such as talking with youngsters at an expo or presenting to a group of business leaders.  Too many people have a mistaken notion, perhaps because of television or movies portrayals, of the pageants and why / how young women benefit from participating in the pageants.