By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
On Nov. 14, at the Caribou Performing Arts Center, the stage was once again filled very talented “Kounty Kids” singing and dancing their way into the hearts of a large audience during the annual Kounty Kids Got Talent presentation sponsored by the Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum.
Kathryn Lovett singing acappella, performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” during the Kounty Kids Got Talent event.
Nancy Chandler, president of the CCDM, greeted the audience and informed them of the history of the CCDM, which is still being planned and the exciting prospects of planned exhibits. Sponsors are still needed to support the future of the CCDM exhibits and donation levels ranging from $100 to $100,000 include: inventors, explorers, discoverers, creators, innovators, dream weavers, wonderers, imaginers and leaders.
The CCDM volunteers and sponsors continue to host fundraisers within the community — their goal to help make the dream of a children’s discovery museum a reality.
Chandler announced that through the recent event “Kounty Kids Got Talent,” the CCDM raised $4,450.
Voted 2010 winners by their audience were dancer, Kennedy Bencivenga, of Limestone, (10 and under group) and the Jazz It Up dance team, from Fort Kent.
The talent competition, hosted by Kim and Jason Parent, included two age groups; ages 10 and under and those age 11-16. Special performances included Amber Moir, Little Miss Maine Potato Queen, of Woodland, who brought her dancing talent and poise to the stage, performing to, “I Move On,” from the Broadway musical “Chicago.” and Madison Outing, who wowed the crowd with violin sections, including a toe-tapping, hard to resist moving, Irish medley.
Judges for the popular event were Alyson Michaud, 2010 Miss Caribou, the daughter of Hope and Scott Walton; Melanie Saucier, vocalist and student of Fort Kent; and Fireman Fred Parsons popular community vocal performer from Presque Isle. Each of the judges spoke with the contestants following their performances, highlighting their strong points and adding their support to their continued success. Winners were determined by audience votes only.
Participants in the age 10 and under division included the following individuals.
Austin LaPlante, the son of Troy and Amy Laplante of Caribou, who played the piano selection allegro “Giocoso.”
Caroline Woods, the daughter of Cynthia and William Woods of Houlton presented a vocal performance of “Start of Something New.”
Keegan French, daughter of Robert and Cindy French of Presque Isle, performed a dance to “Inside Out.”
Brooke Haney, 2010 Little Miss Caribou, the daughter of Troy and Jennifer Haney, played a piano selection to “Salsa Blues.”
Paige McHatten presented a dance routine to, Michael Jackson’s, “Smooth Criminal.” She is the daughter of Matt and Kelley McHatten of Mapleton.
Alexis Kelley, the daughter of Connie and Bob Kelley performed a vocal selection to “There is a Way.”
Kennedy Bencivenga, daughter of Wendy and Anthony Bencivenga of Limestone, danced to “Boom, Boom, Bang.”
Mayce Kinney, vocalist, daughter of Jarid and Kim Kinney, of Presque Isle, performed Judy Garland’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
In the age 11-to-16-year-olds division: Indya Ouellette sang “Landslide,” by the Dixie Chicks. She is the daughter of Alan and Angela Ouellette of Madawaska.
The Jazz It Up dance team of Jillian Roy, Amber Devoe, Danielle Ouellette, Selena Bouchard and Brandon Thibeault, all of Fort Kent, won the audience approval for their dance presentation to “Cooler than Me” by Mike Posner.
Alannah Orcutt, daughter of Connie and Alan Orcutt of Presque Isle sang “The Only Exception“ by Paramour
Rebekah Johnson, daughter of Chris and Cindy Johnson of Caribou provided an acappella vocal selection of “Leading Love.”
Noelle Bailey, the daughter of Kelley White of Central Aroostook sang, “Born to Fly.”
Lukas Lagasse, the son of Melanie and the late Richard Lagasse of New Sweden, played the piano version of, “Lara’s Theme,” from Dr. Zchivago.
Kathryn Lovett, vocalist, the daughter of Vaughn and Paula Lovette, of Houlton, sang acappella to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Victoria Keaton, 2010 Jr. Miss Caribou, performed a vocal selection of “The Call” from the Chronicles of Narnia.
While waiting for the tabulation of the audience’s votes, the 2010 Kounty Kids Got Talent judges performed individually. Alyson Michaud, played the piano version of “Blue Bird”; Fireman Fred Parsons sang, “You Can’t Take the Train From Here,” written by Nelville Bailey of Blaine; and Melanie Saucier, sang “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables.
For more information on the Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum, to make a donation, or to become a volunteer go to: cariboudiscovery.org or contact@cariboudiscovery.org.
