Special to The Star-Herald
FORT FAIRFIELD – There was no doubt that “Girls Rock” after witnessing the talent of several young ladies following the 2009 Little Miss Maine Potato Queen pageant Monday, July 13. At the conclusion of the evening, six-year-old Taylor Hedrich of Presque Isle was named the 2009 Little Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen.
Master of Ceremonies Shawn Murchison welcomed the audience to the pageant and invited everyone to enjoy the opening number, choreographed by Janice and Brittany Mosher. As the curtains opened, the eight contestants, along with the reigning 2008 Little Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen Chloe Wheeler, danced to Hannah Montana’s “Rock Star” dressed in pink and purple costumes, holding inflatable guitars.
Following the introduction of the five judges and two auditors, the first judged portion of the evening began. The contestants were interviewed by judges the day before the pageant, which was worth 40 percent of their overall score. Each of the contestants took turns on stage in their physical fitness wear, approached the microphone, introduced themselves and briefly described their hometown. This portion of the pageant was worth 10 percent of their final overall score. Ten visiting queens then took to the stage, followed by the eight contestants vying for the title of Junior Miss Maine Potato Queen. That pageant was held July 15. Each local queen introduced themselves and their planned talent presentation for the pageant. Reigning 2008 Miss Maine Potato Queen Molly Bouchard then encouraged all to attend the 2009 Miss Maine Potato Queen pageant, which was held July 18. Each of the seven contestants competing for the title of 2009 Maine Potato Blossom Queen also introduced themselves and their talent selections.
Reigning 2008 Junior Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen Michaela Powers returned to the stage to perform a classical ballet en pointe to Neil Diamond’s “Play Me” before each of the Little Miss contestants took turns performing their individual talent selections, worth 40 percent of their score.
Little Miss Presque Isle Taylor Hedrich performed a dance routine to “Cruella DeVille” in a miniature costume similar to the one worn by the same character in the Disney movie. She is the six-year-old daughter of Todd and Jennifer Hedrich.
Eight-year-old Jaidyn Blake, Little Miss Mapleton, sang the Shirley Temple song “You’ve Got to S-M-I-L-E” for her talent. She is the daughter of Jeff and Jolene Blake.
Taylor Devoe, Little Miss Limestone, danced with pompoms and twirled a baton to “I Want it All” during the talent portion of the evening. She is the eight-year-old daughter of Tadd and Melissa Devoe.
Little Miss Van Buren, six-year-old Kassandra Michaud, danced in a pink poodle skirt and black and white saddle shoes to “At the Hop.” She is the daughter of Kevin and Tammy Michaud.
Seven-year-old Alexis Hayes, Little Miss Easton, sat in a rocking chair holding a stuffed animal as she recited a monologue entitled, “My Journal.” She recalled thoughts her “Nana” wrote in a journal of things she said as a young child. “There was a picture of me in the front of my baby book when I was ‘boring’ … I’m not boring at all!” she said. Alexis is the daughter of Ryan and Karen Hayes.
Cammi King, Little Miss Fort Fairfield, sang a medley of songs from the musical, “Annie.” Her medley included “Tomorrow,” “It’s a Hard Knock Life” and “Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” She is the six-year-old daughter of Christi Rosado.
Little Miss Caribou Kyra Thibeault sang “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid” in a green mermaid colored dress. She is the nine-year-old daughter of Rick and Beth Thibeault.
Eight-year-old Kayla Decker, Little Miss Mars Hill, daughter of Harold and Kathleen Decker, performed a dance routine with acrobatic moves to Brittany Spears’ “Circus.”
Following a brief interview with emcee Shawn Murchison, 2008 Little Miss Maine Potato Queen Chloe Wheeler took to the stage in a red cowgirl costume, complete with hat and boots, to sing Hank Williams’ song “Jambalaya.” After the toe tappin’ number, Murchison asked the audience if there was any doubt why Chloe was crowned last year!
The Little Miss contestants returned to the stage, one by one in their evening wear, worth a final 10 percent of their overall score. 2008 Miss Maine Potato Queen Molly Bouchard then entertained the audience with a vocal selection, “The Rainbow’s End” before Chloe took her final farewell walk with her father, Sheriff Mitchell Wheeler.
During the awards ceremony, Murchison informed the audience that the contestants enjoyed an ice cream social on the Sunday prior to the pageant and each received a participation prize at that time. Little Miss Congeniality was awarded to Little Miss Presque Isle Taylor Hedrich. Second runner-up was awarded to Little Miss Caribou Kyra Thibeault, and first runner-up to Little Miss Van Buren Kassandra Michaud. Chloe Wheeler crowned Little Miss Presque Isle Taylor Hedrich her successor as the new 2009 Little Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen.
Photos by Jennifer Buzza
ALL EIGHT of the 2009 Little Miss Maine Potato Queen pageant contestants take center stage anxiously awaiting the final results.
SIX-YEAR-OLD Taylor Hedrich, daughter of Todd and Jennifer Hedrich, walks to the front of the stage as the newly crowned 2009 Little Miss Maine Potato Queen.
JAIDYN BLAKE, Little Miss Mapleton, sings “You’ve Got to S-M-I-L-E” during the talent competition of the 2009 Little Miss Maine Potato Queen pageant.
EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Taylor Devoe, Little Miss Limestone, entertained the audience with a pompom and baton routine to “I Want it All.”
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Alexis Hayes, Little Miss Easton, performed a humorous monologue entitled “My Journal” during the talent competition.
LITTLE MISS VAN BUREN Kassandra Michaud takes the stage in her evening wear. The six-year-old was named first runner-up during the 2009 Little Miss Maine Potato Queen pageant.
LITTLE MISS PRESQUE ISLE Taylor Hedrich poses during the evening wear portion of the Little Miss Maine Potato Queen pageant. Hedrich was crowned the new 2009 Little Miss and was also named Little Miss Congeniality.
EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Kayla Decker, Little Miss Mars Hill, poses in her evening wear during the Little Miss Maine Potato Blossom pageant.
DURING THE TALENT COMPETITION, Cammi King, Little Miss Fort Fairfield, sang a medley of songs from the musical “Annie.”
KYRA THIBEAULT, Little Miss Caribou, models her evening gown during the 2009 Little Miss Maine Potato Blossom pageant. She was ultimately named second runner-up.
2008 LITTLE MISS MAINE POTATO QUEEN Chloe Wheeler takes her final walk in her glitter ruby red shoes as queen. She was escorted around the gymnasium by her father, Mitchell Wheeler.
