By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Since its inception in 2007, ASAP (Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention) coalition has implemented diverse substance abuse prevention activities throughout Aroostook County. The Coalition work is funded through a five-year federal grant, which will end in 2012.
Amber Devoe of Fort Kent, hip-hopped her way to being chosen as winner in the 14 -17 year-old category during the recent Move It and Groove It Aroostook dance competition held at the Caribou Performing Arts Center on Oct. 2. Devoe performed to “Coming Home Remix.”
However, the ASAP Coalition is not planning to cease country-wide prevention work when the funding is gone, instead, it will hold a number of fund-raising events over the next year with the goal of establishing an endowment fund which will allow for the continuation of prevention work.
On Oct. 2, ASAP sponsored the first these planned fundraisers when they held the second annual, Move It and Groove It Aroostook dance competition. “Last year’s event was a success and we were looking forward to the show again this year,” said Clare Desrosiers, ASAP Coalition projects director.
“We were really excited to show off more of Aroostook and Western New Brunswick talent. We know that this area has some great vocalists, now we are able to profile our great dancers,” stated Kathy Mazzuchelli, ASAP Coalition chairperson.
Both Desrosier and Mazzuchelli’s statements proved to be right on target when the more than 30 area performers took to center stage at the Caribou Performing Arts Center.
Runner-up in the 10-13 age group, Kimberly Cook, 12, of Caribou, performed a high-energy, toe-tapping, clogging routine to the music, “Real Wild Child.
Whether dancing solo or in a group, the artists wowed the audience with their agility, gracefulness, rhythm and intricate dance steps.
Voted this year’s winners/runners-up in their respective categories were as follows. Group category: Star Steppers from the Loring Job Corps and the Moon Dance All Stars; age 6 to 9 year-olds; Kennedy Bencivenga and Jorja Bugbee; 10 to 13 year-olds: Mariah Mink and Kimberly Cook; 14 to 17 year-olds: Amber Devoe and Sarah McEachern and in the age 18 and over division; Julea Gorneault and Bianca Babin.
Other participants included the duo of Laksmis and Camara Johnson; the Jazz it Up team of Jessy Devoe, Rylee Theriault, Selena Bouchard, Emily Ouellette, Ashley Plourde and Lydia Dionne; Lexie Jo barker, Yessenia Vilar and Sarah Gorneault.
Also performing were last year’s winners, Emma Jandreau and Kristy Learnard and the Moon Dance Star Cloggers with Kelsey Gilson, Chelsea Simonds, Sara Gilson, Erica Hemphill, Julea Gorneault and Sarah McEachern; Emma Jandreau and Kristy Learnard.
Judges for the recent event were Suzie Paradis of Fort Kent, Kristy Learnard of Van Buren and Emma Jandrea of Caribou.
Winners and runners-up are determined through audience vote.
All profits earned from the Oct. 2 fundraiser were applied towards an endowment fund in order to sustain ASAP Coalition’s countywide prevention efforts.
Jorja Bugbee, 8, of Caribou, speaks with Move It and Groove It Aroostook emcee Jason Parent, following her jazzy theatrical dance routine performed to “I Like to Fuss.” Bugbee earned the first runner’s up award in the event’s 6 to 9 year-old category.
Dancing in tribute to her father who died Sept. 30, 2010, Mariah Mink, 10, of Caribou, presented a ballet dance to “Butterfly Kisses,” during the Oct. 2, Move It and Groove It Aroostook dance competition sponsored by Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. Mink was voted winner in the 10 -13 age group.
Bianca Babin, 18, a freshman at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, was named runner-up in the 18 year-old and above division during the Move It and Groove It dance competition sponsored by the Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. Babin performed a lyrical dance to “La Fille De L’iceberg.”
Winners in the group category of the recent Move It and Groove It Aroostook event, were the Star Steppers from Loring Job Corps. The performance, a step/hip hop dance to “Feet (Step) Giggity” was in tribute to former LJC instructor Wayne Cousins, ‘Chef Wayne,’ who died Sept. 23. The Star Steppers, include Angela Orr, Angela Bellamy, Erika Forman, Shanequa Pliverc, Martin Dequerre, Christian Gual, Autrey Smith and Brandon Wilson.
Limestone’s Kennedy Bencivenga, 8, took first place in the 6 to 9-year old division with her attitude-laced hip hop dance performed to “Hip Hop Mix.”
Winner in the 18 and older category, Julia Gorneault, a freshman at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, clogged to the music from the song “Shake It.”
Sarah McEachern 17, of Chapman, was deemed first runner-up in the 14 to17 year-old division during the recent Move It and Groove It Aroostook dance competition. McEachern captured the audience with her clogging routine done to the song, “Fireworks,” by Katie Perry.
Dancing to “Moves Like Jagger,” members of the Moon Dance All Stars (Moon Dance Studio in Presque Isle) were voted runners-up in the Move It Grove It Aroostook, group division. Dancers are Alecia da Cruz, Julea Gorneault, Kelsey Gilson, Chelsea Simonds, Sara Gilson, Sarah Gorneault, Erica Hemphill, Sara McEachern and Leta Kennedy.
