Bates, Spooner win
Pre-Teen, Teen Presque Isle crowns
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Kaci Bates and Kelsie Spooner took the crowns in their respective categories, Pre-Teen and Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012, during the annual pageant, held at Presque Isle High School on May 5.
Staff photos by Kathy McCarty
Performing to the music of the Disney classic, “The Lion King,” contestants kicked off the night performing their opening number to the song “I Just Can’t Wait to be King.” Amanda Bennett, president of the Class of 2013, welcomed all to the event, turning the festivities over to mistresses of ceremonies Abbie Carrier and Rachel Dow.
Miss Presque Isle 2012 Hanna Patterson took her turn on the stage, entertaining as contestants prepared for the casual wear portion of the competition. The visiting queens were then introduced.
The talent presentations showcased the many talented young ladies vying for Pre-Teen and Teen honors.
In the Pre-Teen category
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| TAYLOR ELIZABETH HEDRICH was named first runner-up at the Pre-Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012 Pageant, held May 5 at Presque Isle High School. | CASEY SHEA ESTABROOK earned the Highest Ticket Sales Award at the Pre-Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012 event held recently at PIHS. |
Taylor Elizabeth Hedrich, daughter of Jenn and Todd Hedrich, was first to perform. She danced to “These Boots are Made for Walking,” by J. Blazer. During the gown segment, it was noted Hedrich’s future goals include becoming an optometrist. She was named first runner-up.
Casey Shea Estabrook, daughter of Heidi and Clif Estabrook, danced to “Waka-Waka” choreographed by Emma Langille. During the gown event, she said one of the things she enjoys doing is participating in the Relay for Life. Estabrook earned the award for Highest Ticket Sales in her division.
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| EMILY ANNE POITRAS, daughter of Kathy and Brian Poitras, takes to the stage for the evening gown competition in the Pre-Teen category May 5. | KACIE CHAPMAN, daughter of Kellie and Travis Chapman, pauses before the judges at the Pre-Teen Miss Presque Isle competition held May 5. |
Emily Anne Poitras was contestant number three. The daughter of Kathy and Brian Poitras clogged to “Rockin’ Robin” for her talent. While modeling her gown, it was noted she has been a member of the Northern Maine Figure Skating Club and greatly enjoys it.
Kacie Chapman, daughter of Kellie and Travis Chapman, entertained by singing Carrie Underwood’s “Ever, Ever After.” During the evening wear portion of the event the audience was informed that Chapman regularly collects items for the Central Aroostook Humane Society and was the recipient of the Presidential Fitness Award.
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| MIRANDA DROST competed in the Pre-Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012 event, earning the honor of second runner-up. | KACI BATES glances at the audience over her shoulder, during the gown portion of the Pre-Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012 Pageant, held May 5. Bates was later crowned the queen. |
Miranda Drost, daughter of Bobbie and Joe Pelkey and Kristy and John Drost, danced to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” During the gown competition, Drost said one of her most memorable moments was when her cousin came to live with her family. Drost was named second runner-up.
Kaci Bates rounded out the Pre-Teen category as contestant number six. She is the daughter of Destini and Marty Bates. She chose Pink’s “Glitter in the Air” to perform a lyrical dance routine to. As she modeled her gown, the audience learned that Bates’ favorite subjects in school are science and math. In addition to being named Miss Pre-Teen Presque Isle 2012, Bates also received the Participation Award/Friendship Award, the Talent Award and the Interview Award.
In the Teen division
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| TIFFANY KINNEY, daughter of Elizabeth York, takes to the stage during the gown portion of the Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012 Pageant, held May 5 at PIHS. |
Tiffany Kinney, daughter of Elizabeth York, sang while accompanying herself on guitar to Tom Petty’s “Free Falling.” While on stage in her gown, it was noted Kinney regularly volunteers to walk dogs at the Central Aroostook Humane Society and also enjoys drumming and playing guitar.
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| EMILY BRAWN walks gracefully across the stage during the evening wear segment of the Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012 event held recently at PIHS. | KELSIE GILSON earned several awards during the Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012 Pageant, held May 5, including being named second runner-up. |
Emily Brawn, daughter of Jean and Gary Brawn, offered a sign language interpretation of “Don’t Stop” by Foster the People as her talent. During the gown segment, it was indicated that Brawn enjoys volunteering at the library and her favorite subject in school is English.
Kelsie Gilson clogged to Jesse J’s “Domino” to entertain the audience. The daughter of Dennis and Susan Gilson modeled her gown as those in attendance learned she volunteers at The Aroostook Medical Center and her favorite school subject is world studies. Gilson took the honor for Highest Ticket Sales, earned the Talent Award and was named second runner-up.
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| KELSIE SPOONER won the title of Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012 during the May 5 pageant in Presque Isle. | JACQUELINE LAMBERT was named first runner-up at the Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012 event, held May 5 at the Presque Isle High School Auditorium. |
Jacqueline Lambert, daughter of James and Barbara Lambert, performed a self-choreographed dance routine to “You’re Easy to Dance With” by Fred Astaire. As she modeled in the evening wear category, she shared the facts that she has received varsity letters for high school sports and one day would like to become an optometrist. Lambert won the Interview Award and was named first runner-up.
Kelsie Spooner, daughter of Steve and Kerry Spooner, also danced for her talent, performing to “You Light Me Up” by Open Sky. In the gown segment, it was made known that she is a member of the Northern Maine Skating Club and her favorite topic in school is U.S. history. Her efforts earned her the Teen title.
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| BIANCA McGIRT was named the recipient of the Participation/Friendship Award at the Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012 event held May 5. | TORI HARVATH, daughter of Wendy Emery and Eric Harvath, models her gown for the judges during the Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012 Pageant. |
Bianca McGirt sang “Gravity” by Sara Bareillis for her talent. During the gown competition, the audience learned McGirt is a library volunteer and her favorite subject in school is Spanish. The daughter of Willie McGirt, she was named the recipient of the Participation/Friendship Award in the Teen division.
Tori Harvath, daughter of Wendy Emery and Eric Harvath, clogged to “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson. Modeling her gown, those in attendance were informed that Harvath’s activities include volunteering at the Central Aroostook Humane Society and that one of her favorite subject’s is English.
MAYCE KINNEY, Pre-Teen Miss Presque Isle 2011, 
was escorted on her farewell walk by her brother, Dawson Kinney.
Outgoing queens also entertained, before taking their respective farewell walks. Mayce Kinney performed Victoria Justice’s “Make It Shine,” wowing the audience with another powerful vocal performance. The 2011 Pre-Teen Miss Presque Isle was first to bid farewell, accompanied by her little brother, Dawson Kinney, on her final walk as royalty. She indicated her favorite part of being queen was taking part in the parades and “seeing all the little girls say ‘look mom, there’s a princess.’ It made me feel good.”
Megan Byers, Teen Miss Presque Isle 2011, chose Rihanna’s “We Found Love” to dance to for her farewell performance. She was accompanied by John Ouellette for her final walk. She indicated her favorite part of representing Presque Isle as royalty was competiting in the Maine Potato Blossom Pageant. “I became close with other County queens,” she said. Her advice to this year’s contestants was to “smile and stay confident.” Byers said her reign taught her “skills that would continue into the future, including stage presence and interview skills.” 
MEGAN BYERS, Teen Miss Presque Isle 2011, was escorted by John Ouellette as she bid farewell during the May 5 pageant at Presque Isle High School.
Once the competition concluded, contestants gathered for a bit of fun with the Gown Parade, dancing to “I Just Can’t Wait to be King.”
Bates and Spooner now prepare for the Maine Potato Blossom Pageant, to be held in July in Fort Fairfield. Should they win in their respective categories, the first runner-ups, Hedrich and Lambert, would assume the duties of Pre-Teen and Teen Miss Presque Isle 2012.
