Haskell and Lagerstrom earn titles

    The stage at Presque Isle High School had “Gone Country” as the curtains opened on the 2014 Pre-Teen and Teen Presque Isle Pageant on May 3. The Class of 2016 at PIHS sponsored the pageant for the second consecutive year.
Class President Byron Winslow welcomed the audience and introduced Jason and Kim Parent as master and mistress of ceremonies for the evening. The six Pre-Teen contestants, three Teen contestants and reigning 2013 Pre-Teen Miss Presque Isle Taylor Hedrich and 2013 Teen Miss Presque Isle Emma Kinney took to the stage in the opening number, “Not Just a Pretty Face,” choreographed by class member, and vice president, Shaye McHatten. During the number, each contestant held up a poster depicting why they are “not just a pretty face” — some expressing that they were artistic, athletic, or enjoyed the outdoors on their posters.
Following the introduction of judges and auditors, the two reigning queens, Hedrich and Kinney, performed a dance routine together in matching costumes, opening with the comical chorus, “Anything you can do, I can do better!” The routine ended as the two danced to “Bop to the Top.”
The contestants were judged in four areas including interview, which was worth 40 percent of their overall score, which took place earlier in the day. During the casual wear competition (worth 10 percent for Pre-Teen and 15 percent for Teen of their score), each contestant shared how they are “more than a pretty face.” Stealing the show was the newly-crowned 2014 Little Miss Presque Isle Olivia Levesque, who performed her award-winning dance routine “Dancing to the Decades.” She performed popular dance moves to well-known songs from the past five decades.
Also providing entertainment in the early part of the show were 2014 Junior Miss Presque Isle Yessina Vilar, who performed a clogging routine to “Happy,” and 2014 Miss Presque Isle Darrian Corey, who played “Imagine” on the piano.
Competing in the Pre-Teen division were: Kylie Scott, the 11-year-old daughter of Anthony and Janice Scott. She played “Crown” on the piano, a song that was composed by her father. Scott was named second runner-up.
Allison Fullen, the 11-year-old daughter of Mark and Heather Fullen, sang “Cups — When I’m Gone.”  She received the Interview Award in her division and was named first runner-up.
Macie Bartley, the 11-year-old daughter of Chris Bartley and Tammy Churchill, danced to “Just the Way You Are.”
Hannah Holmes, the 9-year-old daughter of Dan and Nicole Holmes, sang “Let It Go.”
Danica Haskell, the 10-year-old daughter of Chris and Cathy Haskell, danced to “Skinny Love” and was named the 2014 Pre-Teen Miss Presque Isle.
Maggee Currie, the 9-year-old daughter of Noel and Sheila Currie, played “Cups — When I’m Gone” on the piano and received the award for High Ticket Sales.
Competing in the Teen division were: Lindsey Lagerstrom, the 16-year-old daughter of Paul and Sarah Lagerstrom, who performed a lyrical dance to “Keep Breathing” and was named Miss Congeniality and the 2014 Teen Miss Presque Isle.
Destiny Morin, the 15-year-old daughter of Scott Morin and Jessica McEwen, sang “American Honey” and was named second runner-up.
Brittany Warner, the 15-year-old daughter of Mike and Tina Warner, performed a jazz/hip-hop dance routine to “You Get What You Give.” She was named first runner-up.
Rounding out the competitions was talent, worth 40 percent for Pre-Teen and 30 percent for Teen; and the gown competition, worth 10 percent for Pre-Teen and 15 percent for Teen. In between competitions, entertainment was provided individually by Hedrich, who danced to “I Want Candy,” and Kinney, who danced to “Say Something.” When additional time was needed, Jason Parent interviewed a few of the nearly 30 visiting queens present, asking them to share why they are “not just a pretty face?”
Nearing the end of the evening, each of the reigning queens shared their farewell thoughts. Taylor Hedrich, the 2013 Pre-Teen Miss Presque Isle, read her farewell speech, then made her way around the auditorium, escorted by her father, Todd Hedrich. Emma Kinney, the 2013 Teen Miss Presque Isle, escorted by her father, Derrick Kinney, took her final walk as queen around the auditorium just prior to the parade of gowns.
Both newly-crowned queens, Haskell and Lagerstrom, will be participating in the annual Potato Blossom pageant this summer. The PIHS Class of 2016 is advised by Laura Hunter.