Friday night’s Miss Inspirational pageant wasn’t about what the participants couldn’t do, but what they can and already have accomplished.

Held in the Old Rochester Regional High School auditorium, the event featured 29 participants, ages 5 to 40, with special needs or disabilities.

Jillian Zucco, an ORR graduate, the reigning Miss South Coast and an upcoming contestant in the Miss Massachusetts pageant, organized the event.

Zucco’s inspiration for the pageant was her 14-year-old cousin Olivia Guillotte. A hole in her heart caused development delays, yet she has accomplished much and has a beautiful voice, said Zucco.

“I know I can enter a pageant if I want, but she can’t,” said Zucco, who began competing in pageants herself four years ago. “I realized there aren’t enough opportunities for these special individuals to showcase their talents.”

The Miss Inspirational pageant is part and parcel with Zucco’s volunteerism platform, and she volunteers an average of 750 hours a year.

“I’ve been volunteering all my life,” she said. “It’s very important to me.”

The pageant combined her volunteerism with her experience in the pageant world, something that Zucco said has changed her for the better.

“I have definitely gained a lot of self-confidence,” she said. “I’m hoping that through participating in this pageant, that these individuals do gain self-confidence and do have more of a sense of self esteem.”

The word spread quickly after Zucco received approval to hold the pageant at ORR, and girls came from all over the state to participate on Friday.

The event included a talent portion and formal wear, both of which highlighted each person's achievements. Before the program, each participant sent in a personal statement about an obstacle they have overcome or life goals.

“So many have included that they wanted to do Miss Inspirational because they want to show their community that they can do whatever they want to do,” said Zucco. “They’re focusing on their abilities, that is what this is about.”

Twenty-six-year-old Christie Diehsner has intellectual disabilities but her message was "everyone can learn from everyone."

Mercedes Diamond Horseman, 9, wanted the audience to know that "we all have a voice that needs to be heard."

Amanda Bullock, 16, learned to speak at age 8 and has been a cheerleader for eight years. Zoe Dora, 10, has overcome physical challenges despite having cerebral palsy, and Molly Menard, 7, recently learned to walk using a walker.

Tekala Lopes came to cheer on her sister, Alyssa, and praised the event.

"It's amazing to see what everybody can do," she said.

Tekala said it was a good opportunity for her sister to participate with the other young women.

"She doesn't feel left out or the odd ball out."

With the crowd's cheering and encouragement for each woman, everyone at stage was given a royal welcome, and at the end of the program, the participants each got their own crowning moment.

Although the event wasn’t competitive, evaluators did award three titles: Little Miss Inspirational, Teen Miss Inspirational and Miss Inspirational.

Brenna Legendre, 8, received the Little Miss Inspirational award for ages 12 and under.

Olivia Guillotte, an ORR student, received the Teen Miss Inspirational award. She also received the People's Choice award.

Amanda Thomas, 27, was awarded the Miss Inspirational award in the 20 and older category.

The Spirit award went to Radha Oliveira.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Boston Children's Hospital.