Pageants crown Star City’s 2016
Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Presque Isle
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Following combined pageants Saturday, March 26, the city has three new queens for the coming year. Crowned during the festivities were Emily Simonds, 2016 Miss Presque Isle; Taylor Hedrich, Junior Miss Presque Isle; and Mia Shaw, Little Miss Presque Isle.
Sponsored by the United Way of Aroostook, the pageants served as a fundraiser, with the girls raising nearly $5,000 in sponsorships from local families and businesses to support UWA’s countywide efforts, said Sherry Locke, United Way executive director. Locke praised the contestants as well as a number of contributing local businesses for their hard work and generosity.
Locke and Jason Parent, executive director of the Aroostook County Action Program, served as emcees for the evening. Pageant directors were Jolene Kinney and Betsy Fitzherbert, with Kelsey Gilson serving as choreographer.
In the Little Miss portion of the event, Shaw, the daughter of John and Minyi Shaw, performed a gymnastics routine to “Stand By You” for her talent.
Poluyansky, the daughter of Anna Nikachina, also received the hospitality and photogenic award; she performed a lyrical dance to “Moonlight Sonata.”
Putnam, the daughter of Cole and Kristina Putnam, was also named Miss Congeniality, and performed a jazz dance to “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.”
Contestant Olivia Goodine received the high ticket sales award. She is the daughter of James and Shauna Goodine and offered a lyrical dance to “Dream.”
Also competing were Kaydence Clark, the daughter of Joshua Clark and Angela Cloukey, who signed to the song “Jesus Loves Me,” and Danica Beaulieu, daughter of Matthew Beaulieu, Rachel Waugh and Julea Gorneault, who did a hip-hop dance routine to “Hey Mickey.”
Taking the stage in the Junior Miss pageant, Hedrich performed a lyrical dance to the Miley Cyrus song “When I Look at You.” She is the daughter of Todd and Jenn Hedrich.
Rachel Ellis, the daughter of Roger and Colleen Ellis, was named first runner-up. She sang “Popular” from the Broadway musical “Wicked.” Also competing were Kaylee Collins, daughter of Christopher and Melissa Duchardt, who sang “Today Is the Day” by Lincoln Brewster, and Alexis Moro, daughter of Chris Brown and Laurie Moro, who offered a lyrical dance to “5 A.M.” by Amber Run.
Three young women vied for the Miss Presque Isle crown.
Simonds, the eventual winner, presented a jazz dance to “Stray Cats Rock This Town.” The 17-year-old is the daughter of Matthew and Marcia Simonds.
Alexis Simpson, 16, the daughter of Dale Simpson and Deanna Simpson, was named first runner-up. Her talent was a lyric dance to “Like I Am Going to Lose You” by Meghan Trainor.
Michaela Dumais, second runner-up, is 18 and the daughter of Shawn and Brandy Dumais. She sang “Say Something,” a cover by Danielle Bradbery.
Prior to crowning their successors, the reigning 2015 Little Miss Presque Isle, Alexis Davenport, along with Junior Miss Kaci Bates and Miss Presque Isle Kelsey Gilson, appeared for brief interviews and to offer entertainment selections.
A number of visiting queens and their families were in attendance, as well.
