Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD — Katelynn Hartt, former Miss Mapleton 2009, was crowned Maine Potato Queen 2009 on July 18, at the Maine Potato Queen Pageant at the Fort Fairfield High School, during which she was also awarded the title of Miss Congeniality.
Hartt competed against six other queens vying for the crown; Miss Presque Isle 2009 Haley Johnston, Miss Easton 2009 Taylor Burtt, Miss Fort Fairfield 2009 Sarah Hebert, Miss Greater Mars Hill 2009 Meagan McClay, Miss Caribou 2009 Danielle Lane and Miss Limestone 2009 Caitlin Good.
Hartt said that she was shocked when they called her name to be the next Maine Potato Queen.
“To be honest, I wasn’t really expecting it,” she said. “I was really just in this [pageant] to have fun and meet a bunch of people, so when they called my name, I wasn’t expecting that.”
Hartt was awarded Miss Congeniality of the Maine Potato Queen Pageant, having been also awarded Miss Congeniality of the Miss Mapleton 2009 pageant.
Miss Caribou Danielle Lane agreed fully with the judges’ decisions based on of her pageant experience.
“At first, all the girls were really shy [when they first got together for the pageant,] but Miss Mapleton [Hartt] broke the ice,” Lane said. “She definitely deserves both her titles.
The traits that earned Hartt Miss Congeniality are just a part of her personality.
“My entire family is very loud and outgoing,” Hartt said. “I used to be shy, but then I started doing these pageants and it brought [outgoingness] out of me,” she added.
Now that Hartt is Miss Potato Queen 2009, the title of Miss Mapleton 2009 will go to Paige McEachren.
“I do feel a bit of sadness about giving up my Miss Mapleton title because I love Mapleton and I loved representing [my town],” Hartt said, “it’s bitter sweet, but now I get to represent the whole County.”
Her first duty as Maine Potato Queen was to be in the parade on July 19, which she was very excited about.
Miss Presque Isle Haley Johnston was named Maine Potato Queen first runner-up, and Miss Greater Mars Hill Meagan McClay was named Maine Potato Queen second runner-up; both ladies will continue performing their regal duties for their individual communities, like the other queens.
“The pageant was really fun,” Lane said. “We had a lot of rehearsals, and we started doing things like laser-tag together,” she said with a smile. “It was a really great time especially since this pageant is part of the events that they have going on in Fort Fairfield [with the Maine Potato Blossom Festival;] we got to volunteer at some of the events that were happening and work together, and we’re planning on eating ice cream together,” Lane added. “It was really great getting to know all the girls and working together. We’re all very supportive of and happy for [Hartt].”
Hartt, daughter of Marcia and Alton Hartt, wowed the judges during the talent portion of the evening with her piano performance of “Solfeggio in C Minor.”
Johnston [Miss Presque Isle 2009,] daughter of Debby and John Johnston, entertained the audience with a hip hop dance to “Ray of Light.”
McClay [Miss Greater Mars Hill 2009,] daughter of Lisa and James McClay, tickled the ivories playing “Reflection” on the piano.
Lane [Miss Caribou 2009,] daughter of Delores and Kurt Lane, showcased her vocal range as she sang “Listen.”
Miss Easton 2009 Taylor Burtt, daughter of Heidi and Allison Burtt, had the audience laughing with her as she performed the monologue “Oops.”
Miss Fort Fairfield 2009 Sarah Hebert, daughter of Susan and Gary Bergeron and Terry and Alan Hebert, gracefully performed a lyrical dance to “Halo.”
Miss Limestone 2009 Caitlin Good, daughter of Tracie and Scott Helstrom and Brock F. Good II, had the audience cheering mid-routine as she performed a lyrical dance to “Hero.”
Hartt will now go on to represent Aroostook County at various events throughout the year, including parades and trade shows.
AR staff photo/Natalie Bazinet
Miss Potato Queen 2009 Katelynn Hartt was crowned by Maine Potato Queen 2008 Molly Bouchard during the Maine Potato Queen 2009 Pageant.
AR staff photo/Natalie Bazinet
Maine Potato Queen 2009 and former Miss Mapleton 2009 Katelyn Hartt perfomed “Solfeggio in C Minor” on the piano during the talent portion of the Miss Potato Queen 2009 Pageant.
AR staff photo/Natalie Bazinet
Miss Presque Isle 2009 Haley Johnston was first runner-up in the Miss Potato Queen 2009 Pageant. She received her trophy from Maine Potato Queen 2008 Molly Bouchard.
AR staff photo/Natalie Bazinet
Miss Caribou 2009 Danielle Ruth Lane, daughter of Delores and Kurt Lane, wore a strapless blue gown during the evening wear segment of the competition.
AR staff photo/Natalie Bazinet
Miss Fort Fairfield 2009 Sarah Elizabeth Herbert, daughter of Susan and Gary Bergeron and Terry and Alan Hebert wore a marigold colored mermaid gown during the evening wear segment of the production.
AR staff photo/Natalie Bazinet
Miss Limestone 2009 Caitlin Good was wearing a bustled strapless hunter green gown for the evening wear segment of the pageant. Good is daughter of Tracie and Scott Helstrom and Brock F. Good II.
AR staff photo/Natalie Bazinet
Miss Easton 2009 Taylor Burtt was all smiles in a voluminous pink gown during the evening wear segment of the pageant. Burtt is daughter of Heidi and Allison Burtt.
