Special to the Star-Herald
The Little Miss Mars Hill and Miss Greater Mars Hill pageants were held on Saturday, March 28, at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community Center. This is the 61st year for the Miss Mars Hill contest.
The event featured many beautiful young ladies and was very entertaining. The contestants began the evening with their opening routines. This was followed by sportswear, talent and the evening gown and on-Stage interviews.
Seven young ladies competed for the title of Little Miss.
Olivia Pelletier, daughter of Dale and Cassie Pelletier and Maggie and Michael Blevins. She did a great job with her talent presentation of a Vocal and Dance to “If I Knew You Were Coming I’d Have Baked A Cake.”
Jillian Tweedie, daughter of Josh and Jennifer Tweedie, was named the first runner-up. She sang “Edelweiss” from “The Sound Of Music” as her talent and was very convincing as a young Austrian singing of her homeland.
Calleena Boyce did a wonderful job singing “Candle on the Water” as her talent. She is the daughter of Robert and Jennifer Boyce.
Lydia Miller, daughter of Calvin and Shelby Miller, did a fantastic job tap dancing to “The Tiki Room” as her talent. She was named the second runner-up and received the award for high ticket sales.
Kealee Tarbox was very good as Annie singing “Tomorrow” for her talent. She is the daughter of Ray and Kendra Tarbox.
Chloe Eckstein, daughter of Shannon and Dawn Eckstein, did a very nice job singing “I Believe” as her talent.
Kayla Decker was crowned Little Miss Mars Hill 2009. The daughter of Harold and Kathleen Decker, Kayla was very rhythmic and nimble with her gymnastics dance to “Circus.”
Other entertainment was provided by Little Miss Mars Hill 2008 Isabelle Wright, who performed a gymnastics routine to “Mamma Mia.“ Miss Greater Mars Hill 2008 Michelle Tweedie sang “White Horse” and Little Miss Potato Blossom 2008 Chloe Wheeler sang Johnny Cash‘s “Folsom Prison Blues.”
The escorts for the Little Miss contestants were: Logan Milliard, son of Steve and Tracy Milliard; and Hunter Wardwell, son of Stephanie Stiles and Patrick Wardwell. Both of these young men were very dapper in their tuxedos and did a very good job as escorts.
The director for the Little Miss Pageant was Kassandra Dominique.
Six contestants took to the stage, hoping to be crowned Miss Greater Mars Hill.
Danielle Cropley was named first runner-up. Daughter of Richard and Cathy Cropley, Danielle did a great job singing “Only Hope” as her talent. She was escorted by Dana Morrell.
Meagan McClay, daughter of James and Lisa McClay, was crowned Miss Greater Mars Hill 2009. Escorted by Peter Gerritsen, Meagan did a fine job tickling the ivories in a piano solo titled “Reflection” for her talent.
Jeanette Hallett, daughter of Betsy Hallett and Stewart Hallett, was very good as she sang and danced to “Do You Believe In Magic” as her talent. Her escort was Michael Morey.
Deanna Lawrence received the award for high ticket sales. Escorted by Paul Deschaine, Deanna was wonderful singing “Black Roses Red” as her talent. She is the daughter of Dean and Annette Lawrence.
Rachael Donahue, daughter of Stephen and Laurin Donahue, did a fantastic gymnastics routine to “Footloose” as her talent. She was escorted by Brock Kingsbury.
Miranda Lento, daughter of Phil and Trina Lento, was named the second runner-up and was also named Miss Congeniality. She was escorted by D.J. McClung and did a very nice job singing “God’s Will” as her talent.
The Miss Greater Mars Hill directors were Mikala Woollard and Janine Stackpole.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
LITTLE MISS MARS HILL 2009 Kayla Decker, center, is pictured with First Runner-Up Jillian Tweedie, at left, and Second Runner-Up Lydia Miller, at right, during the Pageant on Saturday, March 28.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
CALLEENA BOYCE poses with escort Logan Milliard during the Little Miss Mars Hill Pageant on Saturday, March 28.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
CHLOE ECKSTEIN is pretty in pink in her evening gown during the Little Miss Mars Hill Pageant on Saturday, March 28.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
THE MISS GREATER MARS HILL contestants pose with the reigning queen for a picture just before the new queen was crowned. Pictured, from left: Rachael Donahue, Danielle Cropley, Meagan McClay, Michelle Tweedie, Deanna Lawrence, Jeanette Hallett and Miranda Lento.
