Buck crowned Miss Maine Potato Queen 2011
By Jennifer Buzza
Special to the Star-Herald
FORT FAIRFIELD — The curtain opened for the final Potato Blossom pageant of the year on Saturday, July 16 in Fort Fairfield.
Photos by Jennifer Buzza
Six young ladies, along with 2010 Miss Maine Potato Queen Brittni Mosher, danced under the flashing disco ball to entertain the audience during the retro-themed opening number. Following the introduction of judges and auditors by the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Shawn Murchison, the first judged portion that the audience could witness was the physical fitness competition. According to Murchison, the interviews, which were worth 40 percent of each contestant’s overall score, were held prior to the pageant. The physical fitness portion of the pageant was worth 15 percent.
At the conclusion of the physical fitness competition, visiting queens were invited to the stage, followed by a performance by the newly crowned 2011 Pre-Teen Miss Maine Potato Queen Chloe Wheeler of Mars Hill. She danced and sang to “Old Time Rock and Roll.”
STRIKING A POSE with her tambourine over her head is
Miss Mapleton Kelsey Buck.
She performed a dance routine to “Be Italian.”
Buck was named the 2011 Miss Maine Potato Queen.
Kelsey Buck performed a dance routine to “Be Italian,” complete with an authentic-looking costume, folding chair and tambourine.
She is the daughter of Brent and Felicia Buck of Mapleton and was named the 2011 Miss Maine Potato Queen.
•Starting off the talent competition, which was worth 30 percent, was Whitney Klein, daughter of Nancy and Jerry Klein of Mars Hill. She performed a dance and gymnastic routine to “No Air” by Jordan Sparks and Chris Brown. During the coronation, Klein was named second runner-up.
•Julea Gorneault, the daughter of Trudy and Henry Gorneault of Presque Isle, performed a clogging routine to “Shake It” by Metro Station.
(Right Picutre) MISS MARS HILL Whitney Klein pauses on stage during the Miss evening gown competition. Klein was named second runner-up during the awards presentation.
(Left Picture) POSING AT THE CONCLUSION of her dance routine is Julea Gorneault, Miss Presque Isle. During the talent competition, she performed an energetic clogging routine to “Shake It.”
•The only vocalist of the evening, Elizabeth Keaton, daughter of Susan and Mike Keaton of Caribou, sang “The Jazz Hot” from the musical “Victor, Victoria.” Keaton was named first runner-up by the judges.
• Hometown favorite, Abigail Ladner, performed a lyrical dance routine to “Jar of Hearts” by Christina Perry. She is the daughter of Sare Giberson and Troy Ladner of Fort Fairfield.
(Right Picutre) BELTING OUT HER LYRICS to the song, “The Jazz Hot,” from the musical “Victor, Victoria” was Caribou’s Elizabeth Keaton. She was named first runner-up by the judges.
(Left Picture) MISS FORT FAIRFIELD Abigail Ladner poses briefly during the evening gown competition.
•Samantha Buck was the only instrumentalist of the six contestants. Daughter of Andy and Angela Buck of Easton, she played “Let It Be” by the Beatles on the piano. She was voted Miss Congeniality by her peers.
SAMANTHA BUCK,
Miss Easton, pauses on stage during the evening gown competition. She was named Miss Congeniality by her peers.
Prior to the evening gown competition, Mosher performed a gymnastics/dance routine to a mix of Michael Jackson songs.
During the evening gown competition, which was worth 15 percent, each contestant was asked to select an issue or cause that was important to them and while speaking into the microphone, describe that cause.
Miss Mars Hill Whitney Klein discussed bike safety and mentioned a tragedy that occurred in her town in 2005 involving a five-year-old girl. She would like to educate children on three specific areas: first) to look both ways before crossing, second) to wear a helmet at all times and third) no night riding without reflectors.
Julea Gorneault, Miss Presque Isle, spoke on bully prevention and awareness. She feels many victims suffer emotional, mental, and sometimes physical abuse and she would like to help educate teachers, students and parents about the effects of bullying. She would like all children and teens to know that “you do matter!”
Miss Caribou Elizabeth Keaton would like to help create a community where young people are “valued and thrive.” She mentioned the Search Institute, which began in 1990, and whose Developmental Assets promote healthy children, youth and communities.
Kelsey Buck, Miss Mapleton, chose to discuss the hazards of texting while driving. She asked the audience to “think about close relatives and friends … is it really worth the risk?” She then quoted Oprah Winfrey, who has also publicly taken a stand against the same issue, saying, “No message is more important than a life.”
Miss Fort Fairfield Abigail Ladner selected suicide prevention as her most important issue. She stated that teens need more support systems and that teen suicide prevention is “crucial.” She also mentioned how she has been personally affected by this subject.
Also sharing strong feelings about suicide prevention was Miss Easton Samantha Buck. She mentioned Write Love on Her Arms, a foundation that assists people struggling with depression and suicide. She encouraged all of us to “write love on our arms … to show teens they are not alone.” Her hope is that all “become aware and show that you care.”
The six contestants took to the stage one last time in a fun, upbeat way during the parade of gowns. This is a non-judged portion of the pageant, but allows the girls to relax, have some fun, and give the audience a glimpse of their personalities. Performing for the first time since being named the 2011 Teen Miss Maine Potato Queen was Hannah Stoutamyer of Mapleton. She was interviewed briefly by Murchison prior to performing a modern en pointe ballet dance to “Hallelujah.”
ENJOYING HER FINAL TIME on stage as the 2010 Miss Maine Potato Queen, Brittni Mosher is all smiles during the parade of gowns.
Prior to the coronation, Mosher made her final appearance and greeted well-wishers during her taped farewell message. She was escorted by her uncle, Maurice Kidd, who she affectionately called “Uncle Mo.”
During the highly anticipated awards presentation, Miss Easton Samantha Buck was named Miss Congeniality, Miss Mars Hill Whitney Klein was named second runner-up and Miss Caribou Elizabeth Keaton was named first runner-up. The title of 2011 Miss Maine Potato Queen was awarded to Miss Mapleton Kelsey Buck, Mapleton’s second Miss title in as many years. In 2009, Katelynn Hartt was crowned Miss Maine Potato Queen.
