Her talent performance may have been a rendition of "The Impossible Dream," but one long-held dream of Mattapoisett native Jillian Zucco came to fruition on September 7, as she found herself on the Miss America stage.

Zucco, this year's Miss Massachusetts, found herself on the national stage after 5 successive years of competing for the title of Miss Massachusetts, including two separate runner-up finishes. Her 2017 title win was a relief, as Zucco was in her final year of eligibility for the pageant. "I had no idea whether I would win," she told Sippican Week after her victory. "The judges change every year. But I worked really hard, and I was so happy to win."

Zucco competed in the first day of preliminary Miss America competition on Wednesday, September 6. Her division (the competitors are split into three groups) completed their judges' interview and lifestyle and fitness division preliminaries that day.

Thursday September 7 was talent day for Zucco's group; Zucco performed "The Impossible Dream," from the Broadway musical "Man of La Mancha." The song was particularly fitting, as Zucco listed "performing on Broadway" as one of her dreams in her Miss America contestant description.

Zucco won the talent division of Miss Massachusetts with her singing performance, as well as the overall prize.

Results of Zucco's preliminary rounds will be posted as they are available, at www.SippicanVillageSoup.com.

Zucco was interviewed additionally on Thursday as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Scholarship finalist. Five competitors with educational majors in STEM fields are selected as finalists; the top three STEM finalists will receive three $5,000 scholarships.

Zucco was awarded the Invaleon STEM scholarship during her winning run in Miss Massachusetts 2017.

Zucco's Friday preliminary schedule will see her answer her "On-Stage Question." Previous contestants have been asked about anything from their chosen platform (Zucco's is "Choose a Cause, Make a Difference") to current political events.

Watch Jillian Zucco's preliminary talent competition performance of "The Impossible Dream" below! Video courtesy: Miss Massachusetts Organization