PRESQUE ISLE — Darrian Corey, daughter of Todd Corey and Kelly Bell, was named Miss Presque Isle 2014 during the Miss Presque Isle Scholarship Pageant held Saturday at the Presque Isle High School.
The event, sponsored by the Maine Epsilon Master Sorority of Beta Sigma Phi, saw five contestants compete for the crown. Serving as master and mistress of ceremonies were Dick Palm and his sister-in-law, Pam Palm.
“If there’s a need, we help,” said Pam Palm, a member of the sorority, a nationwide organization that aids homeless shelters, animal shelters, does food drives and provides other community service work for those in need.
Dick Palm provided clarification for those confused by the hosts’ same last name, showing the audience a sign he’d made stating, “No we are not married.”
Contestants competed in four categories: interview, which made up 40 percent of their score; physical fitness, 15 percent; talent, 30 percent; and evening wear, 15 percent. Judges for the evening were: Tracy Helstrom, Ashley Herrick and Debbie Lamont. Auditors for the evening were: Cindy Flanagan and Benton Cash.
Contestants included Corey, who played John Lennon’s “Imagine” on the piano. She was also named Miss Congeniality.
Jaylee Farley, daughter of Jeremy and Jan Farley, performed a modern dance routine to Janedear Girls’ “Wildflower.”
Megan McKnight was named first runner-up. Daughter of Mac and Erica McKnight, she danced hip-hop style to Zendaya’s “Replay.”
Emily Brawn was named second runner-up and earned the High Ticket Sales Award. Brawn used sign language to interpret “Little Wonders” by Rob Thomas. She is the daughter of Gary and Jean Brawn.
Tori Harvath, daughter of Wendy Emery, performed a lyrical dance number to Martina McBride’s “Concrete Angel.”
Several visiting queens were also on hand, including Presque Isle royalty. Dick Palm interviewed: Emma Kinney, Teen Miss Presque Isle 2013; Taylor Hedrich, Pre-Teen Miss Presque Isle 2013; and Kayla Girardin, Miss Presque Isle 2013.
Entertainment was also provided by three local queens. Jorja Maynard, Little Miss Presque Isle 2013, danced to “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” Mayce Kinney, Junior Miss Presque Isle 2013, wowed the audience with her vocal rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” with Pam Palm noting one day Kinney would be a recording star with a voice like that. Girardin performed one last time as reigning Miss Presque Isle, clogging to Swedish Mafia’s “Don’t You Worry Child.”
During the evening gown portion of the competition, contestants were given the opportunity to share a topic of interest to them.
Farley, who wants to attend college to become a dental hygienest and one day open an office in Presque Isle, said more needs to be done to address self-harm. “I believe we should educate more, set up health fairs. If you know someone who needs help, please help them get it before it’s too late.”
McKnight plans to study forensic psychology once she graduates. Her topic was the Upward Bound program. “Sessions help build confidence,” she said, noting she’s been able to focus and take college-level classes thanks to confidence gained through the program. “I’ll have a full year of college complete before I graduate high school.”
Brawn wants to study American sign language in college. Social anxiety was her topic. “People who suffer from social anxiety try to avoid social situations. This is something I’ve suffered from and I feel more needs to be done to provide support and awareness.”
Corey’s goals include studying to become a pharmacist. She too chose a topic of which she has first-hand knowledge. “I was diagnosed with scoliosis as a child and was treated by the Shriners’ organization. They provide state-of-the-art care, regardless of one’s ability to pay.”
Harvath would like to become an occupational therapist, working with children with special needs. Her topic was domestic violence — something she said her own family has experienced. “I’ve collected items for those in need and participated in fundraisers for the Hope & Justice Project. I want to mentor children affected by domestic violence. No one should have to face that fear alone.”
As contestants prepared for the Parade of Gowns, Jordyn Shaw sang and played guitar to Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records On.”
Girardin, accompanied by her father, Daniel Girardin, took her final walk as queen, as a slide presentation reviewed the many activities she took part in representing the Star City as Miss Presque Isle.
Organizers wish to thank the many sponsors and volunteers who made this year’s pageant a success.
Corey will now go on to represent Presque Isle at the Maine Potato Blossom Pageant this summer. If she should win that title, McKnight, as first runner-up, will assume the duties of Miss Presque Isle.
