Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD – Sunglasses were the accessory of choice for the contestants of the 2008 Junior Miss Maine Potato Queen pageant on July 16. The girls had fun under the sun on the brightly lit stage to welcome the audience.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
THE CROWNING. 2007 Junior Miss Maine Potato Queen Hannah Hebert crowns Michaela Powers as the 2008 Junior Miss Maine Potato Queen on July 16.
After the physical fitness, talent and evening wear segments of the pageant, Junior Miss Mapleton Michaela Anne Powers was crowned 2008 Junior Miss Maine Potato Queen. Powers is the daughter of Sue and Joe Powers. Powers performed a ballet routine en pointe to “The Sacrifice” and took the audience on an imaginary tour of her hometown of Mapleton before being crowned by 2007 Junior Miss Maine Potato Queen Hannah Hebert.
The 2008 pageant opened with a dance routine choreographed by Hebert to “Walking on Sunshine.”
The other contestants included:
Junior Miss Easton Acacia Kimball, daughter of Cyndi and Jeff Kimball. She snuck onto the stage to play a piano piece called “Sneaky Business.”
Junior Miss Presque Isle Hanna Elizabeth Patterson, daughter of Ariana Patterson and Derrick Kinney. Kinney performed a self-choreographed number to “Footloose,” and was named second runner-up.
Junior Miss Limestone Alexis Bell, daughter of Troy Bell and the late Tara Bell. She performed a ballet dance to “My Little Girl,” and was named Miss Photogenic.
Junior Miss Fort Fairfield Ashley Lauren Johnston, granddaughter of Maxine and John Johnston. She sang “Red High Heels.”
Junior Miss Van Buren Shawna Lapointe, daughter of Kelly and Ryan Lapointe. She performed a jazz dance to “Smooth Criminal.”
Junior Miss Caribou Natasha Lucy Bishop, daughter of Sharlet and Rick Bishop. Bishop performed a tap dance to “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and was named first runner-up.
Junior Miss Caswell Chelsea Labreck, daughter of Tammy Morrow and Daniel Labreck. She sand “Valentine.”
Junior Miss Mars Hill Alexis Jean Bradbury, daughter of Mandy Bradbury. She performed a karate routine, and was named Miss Congeniality.
In addition to the entertainment provided by the contestants three other queens took the stage between judged portions. Newly crowned Little Miss Maine Potato Blossom Chloe Wheeler gave an encore performance of her winning talent, singing “Folsom Prison Blues,” 2007 Miss Maine Potato Queen Katie Smith danced to “Orange Colored Sky” and 2007 Junior Miss Maine Potato Queen Hebert sang and performed ballet en pointe to the song “Popular.”
Before relinquishing her title, Hebert commented on the events of the past year. She remarked on the fun she’d had with her sister queens, highlighting their participation in the Lights Parade where she “laughed so hard her teeth hurt.”
Hebert also thanked the town of Fort Fairfield for making her a part of the sesquicentennial celebrations.
Master of Ceremonies for the pageant was Shawn Murchison.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
HANNAH HEBERT, the 2007 Junior Miss Maine Potato Queen, leads the 2008 contestants on the stage during the opening performance of the pageant.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
JUNIOR MISS PRESQUE ISLE Hannah Patterson is footloose during the talent portion of the Junior Miss Potato Queen pageant. Patterson was named second runner-up.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
JUNIOR MISS MARS HILL Alexis Bradbury shows the audience her active wear. Bradbury was elected miss congeniality by her fellow contestants.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
JUNIOR MISS FORT FAIRFIELD Ashley Johnston shows off her gown for the evening wear competition at the Junior Miss Potato Queen pageant on July 16.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
JUNIOR MISS VAN BUREN Shawna Lapointe poses in her gown during the evening wear portion of the 2008 Junior Miss Potato Queen pageant on July 16.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
JUNIOR MISS EASTON Acacia Kimball plays Sneaky Business on the piano during the talent portion of the Junior Miss Potato Queen pageant in Fort Fairfield.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
JUNIOR MISS CARIBOU Natasha Bishop glides across the stage in her evening wear during the 2008 Junior Miss Potato Queen pageant. Bishop was awarded first runner-up.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
JUNIOR MISS CASWELL Chelsea Labreck sings Valentine for her talent during the 2008 Junior Miss Potato Queen pageant on July 16.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
JUNIOR MISS LIMESTONE Alexis Bell performs a ballet dance to My Little Girl during the talent portion of the Junior Miss Potato Queen pageant. Bell was voted most photogenic.
