FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine – Thirteen young ladies from surrounding communities proved they were all “Queen of the Jungle” at the first ever Pre-Teen and Teen Miss Potato Blossom pageant held July 10, under the direction of Chris Finnemore. At the conclusion of the evening’s pageant, Presque Isle’s Madison Bearden was named the 2010 Pre-Teen Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen and Mapleton’s Michaela Powers was named the 2010 Teen Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen.
Karen Peers, president of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, introduced the master of ceremonies for the evening, Shawn Murchison. No stranger to the Potato Blossom pageants, Murchison welcomed the audience and invited everyone to enjoy the opening number, choreographed by Kathy Maynard. Six Pre-Teen Miss and seven Teen Miss contestants performed a dance routine to the 50’s hit “Witch Doctor” in front of a leopard print background, safari animals, and artificial vines.
While the contestants prepared for their talent performances, all visiting queens were invited to the stage. Six out-of-town queens introduced themselves to the audience, followed by the eight contestants vying for the 2010 Little Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen, the eight vying for the 2010 Junior Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen, and the eight competing for the 2010 Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen. In addition to introducing themselves, the contestants also mentioned what they would be performing during the talent portion of their pageant.
Reigning 2009 Little Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen, Taylor Hedrich was called to the stage and interviewed by Murchison, then performed her award-winning dance routine to “Cruella DeVille” from the movie “101 Dalmatians.”
Kicking off the talent competition, which was worth 40 percent for the Pre-Teen contestants, was 11-year-old Kelsey Dominique, daughter of Kassandra and Steve Dominique of Mars Hill. Dressed in a hot pink and black costume, topped with a hot pink cowgirl hat, she clogged to “Up” by Shania Twain. During the coronation, Dominique was voted Pre-Teen Miss Congeniality by her peers.
Gracie Griffeth, the 11-year-old daughter of Kimberly and John Griffeth of Fort Fairfield, performed a ballet dance en pointe to “Halo” by Beyoncé.
One of two instrumentalists for the evening was Mapleton’s Pre-Teen Miss Marielle Shaw. Shaw, the 11-year-old daughter of Paula and Robert Shaw, played American Folk song “Red River Valley” on the piano.
The only vocal performer in the Pre-Teen Miss division was Easton’s Breann Clayton. Wearing a pink dress with a handkerchief hemline, 11-year-old Clayton sang Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me.” She is the daughter of Jodi and Tony Clayton.
Caribou’s Samantha Fortin, the 11-year-old daughter of Robin and Robert Fortin, performed a baton routine to Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA.” At times, Fortin successfully simultaneously twirled two batons while dancing around the stage in her purple and white costume.
Final Pre-Teen contestant, Madison Bearden of Presque Isle, the 10-year-old daughter of Kathy and Jeff Bearden, took to the stage in a pale pink tutu and pointe shoes to dance a ballet to “The Scientist” by Coldplay. Bearden was named the first Pre-Teen Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen.
First to take to the stage in the Teen Miss talent competition, which was worth 30 percent of their overall score, was Presque Isle’s Hanna Patterson. The 16-year-old performed a self-choreographed contemporary style dance to “Gravity” by Sarah Bareilles. She is the daughter of Ariana Patterson and Derrick Kinney.
Fifteen-year-old Michaela Powers of Mapleton, daughter of Sue and Joe Powers, performed a classical ballet dance en pointe to “Bella’s Lullaby,” later earning her the title of the first Teen Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen.
Teen Miss Fort Fairfield, 16-year-old Aleesha Campbell, was the only vocalist in the Teen division. She sang Jamie O’Neal’s song, “When I Think about Angels.” Daughter of Peggy and James Campbell, Aleesha was named Teen Miss Congeniality by her peers.
Pianist, Teen Miss Easton Acacia Kimball, performed “River Flows Through You.” Kimball is the 15-year-old daughter of Cyndi and Jeff Kimball.
Hannah Hebert, Teen Miss Caribou, was another contestant who laced up her pointe shoes to take to the stage. Performing an upbeat routine to Styx’s “Come Sail Away” was the 15-year-old daughter of Jola and Gary Hebert.
Teen Miss Limestone Julia Weatherhead appeared in a costume similar to the one worn by actors in the musical “Chicago” as she performed her dance routine, “All That Jazz.” Weatherhead, the 17-year-old daughter of Debbie and Peter Weatherhead, made her performance even more true to the musical by the use of a black folding chair.
The final talent selection of the evening was performed by Mars Hill’s Teen Miss Whitnie Klein. Showing off her talents as a member of the Class D State Champion cheerleading squad, Klein flipped and cart wheeled during her gymnastics routine to Jordin Sparks’ “Battlefield.” The 16-year-old is the daughter of Nancy and Jerry Klein.
Immediately following the talent portion, each contestant returned to the stage for the evening wear competition. While the final tabulation process continued, the 2009 Junior Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen Regan Buck of Caribou was briefly interviewed by Murchison and then performed “Bella’s Lullaby” on the piano. Keeping the piano in place, the 2009 Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen Katelyn Hartt was interviewed by Murchison, and then played her award-winning piano solo, “Through the Eyes of Love.”
Since this was the first pageant for these age groups, no reigning queen was on hand to bid farewell, so the program proceeded right to the highly anticipated awards ceremony.
Fort Fairfield’s Gracie Griffeth was named Pre-Teen Miss second runner-up, Kelsey Dominique of Mars Hill was named Pre-Teen Miss first runner-up and Presque Isle’s Madison Bearden was named 2010 Pre-Teen Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen. Hannah Hebert of Caribou was named Teen Miss second runner-up, Presque Isle’s Hanna Patterson was named Teen Miss first runner-up, and the 2010 Teen Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen was Mapleton’s Michaela Powers. The title as the first Teen Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen marks Powers’ third local title, including being named Junior Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen in 2008.
