Talent blossoms at
Potato Queen pageant
By Natalie Bazinet
FORT FAIRFIELD — Brittni Mosher, formerly Miss Mars Hill, was crowned 2010 Maine Potato Queen on July 17 after an eight-contestant jungle-themed pageant. Miss Fort Fairfield Kelsie Wilson was named first runner-up for the title and Miss Presque Isle Kori Kinney was named second runner-up.
In an impressive display of talent, poise and glitter, area queens vied for the crown formerly held by 2009 Maine Potato Queen Katelynn Hartt. This was the 57th Maine Potato Queen pageant and the first time since 1997 that a Mars Hill teen wore the crown.
An accomplished gymnast, Mosher made the stage look like a trampoline during the talent portion of the pageant as she back-flipped, hand-sprung and high-jumped her way across the stage and right into the judge’s hearts during her gymnastics routine to the song “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi. Mosher is the daughter of Janice and Walter Mosher.
Entertainment during the pageant ranged from toe-tapping dances to tip-toe ballet routines.
First runner-up Kelsie Wilson expressed her bilingual side as she signed along with the song “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban. Wilson is the daughter of Tina and Henry Bouchey.
Second runner-up Kori Kinney treated the audience to a flashback to the ‘50s with her vocal performance of “There are Worse Things I Can Do” from the musical “Grease.” Kinney is the daughter of Tracy and Norman Kinney.
Miss Bridgewater Lauren Antworth, daughter of Helena and Rick Antworth, clicked and clacked on stage in a tap routine as she cut loose — “Footloose,” that is; the dance stylings of Kevin Bacon have nothing on Miss Bridgewater.
Miss Easton Brooke-Ann Hammond had some audience members misty-eyed as she sang the song “You can Let Go” as performed by Crystal Shawanda.
Miss Limestone Audra Kirk, voted Miss Congeniality of the Maine Potato Queen Pageant, sang the song “Forever” as performed by Andrew Garcia.
Miss Mapleton Whitney LaPointe showcased her talent as she performed a dance routine to the song “Life in Technicolor” as performed by Coldplay.
Miss Caribou Alyson Michaud took the opportunity to multi-task during the talent portion of the play; Michaud skillfully accompanied herself on the piano as she sang the song “Life Me Up” by Christina Aguilera.
As the contestants competed for the crown, a very regal crowd of crowns had gathered to cheer the queens on. In an army of high heels, 26 queens — including Miss Maine Arikka Knights from Chester — introduced themselves and the community which they represent.
Since Mosher’s Maine Potato Queen crowning has rendered her ineligible to carry out her reign as Miss Mars Hill, Rachel Donovan will proudly wear the crown for the community. Daughter of Harry and Candace Donovan, she will be crowned on Tuesday, August 3 during the meeting of the Mars Hill Rotarians.
Staff photos
Natalie Bazinet
FIRST RUNNER-UP Kelsie Wilson received her trophy from the 2009 Maine Potato Queen Katelynn Hartt.
SECOND RUNNER-UP Kori Kinney received her trophy from the 2009 Maine Potato Queen Katelynn Hartt.
WHITNEY LAPOINTE, daughter of Tanya and Bryan LaPointe, was wearing a turquoise satin relatively backless dress for the evening wear portion of the pageant. LaPointe is the reigning Miss Mapleton.
AUDRA KIRK, daughter of Gerald Kirk and step-mother Gail Phair-Kirk, was dressed in a lavender gown for the pageant. Kirk, reigning Miss Limestone, was voted Miss Congeniality.
LAUREN ANTWORTH, daughter of Helena and Rick Antworth, walked across the stage in a mint green gown. Antworth is the reigning Miss Bridgewater.
BROOKE-ANN HAMMOND, daughter of Kim and Doug Hammond, chose a pink taffeta gown for the Miss Potato Queen pageant. Hammond is the reigning Miss Easton.
ALYSON MICHAUD, daughter of Hope and Scott Walton, wore a strapless gown with splashes of floral print during the July 17 pageant. Michaud is the reigning Miss Caribou.
WHERE’S THE TRAMPOLINE? 2010 Maine Potato Queen Brittni got some serious air during her high energy back-flipping, hand-springing gymnastics performance to “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi.
