Contestants earn state crowns

 

Clara Mae Kilcollins of Woodland is 2017 ‘Princess’ 

     SACO, Maine — Aroostook County contestants won three of eight titles in the seventh annual Maine Academic Scholarship Pageant and Green Carpet Fundraiser, held Aug. 7 in Garland Auditorium at Saco’s Thornton Academy.

     Eighty-five Maine women and young ladies vied for their respective titles. They will compete nationally next year for over $300,000 in prizes and scholarships and the opportunity to represent the Unite Against Bullying ME/Crown CARES project in Maine schools.

     Local titleholders are Emma Langille of Mapleton, 18, who was crowned the 2017 USA National Miss Maine; Clara Kohlbacher of Mapleton, 14, 2017 USA National Miss Maine Jr. Teen; and Clara Mae Kilcollins of Woodland, 8, 2017 USA National Miss Maine Princess. 

     Langille is a dean’s list sophomore at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, majoring in business administration with a focus in accounting. She is involved with the Business Club, the Student Government Association and is a new student mentor on campus. 

     Although she works and attends school full-time, she strives to volunteer in the community and local schools which includes her dedication to the national platform, the Crown CARES (Creating a Respectful Environment in Schools). 

     In addition to her title, Langille received the senior division Congeniality Award, senior division Casual Wear Award, senior division Super Model title, and 2017 USA National Miss Maine Role Model title. She is the daughter of Carroll Jr. and Jennifer Langille of Mapleton.

     Kohlbacher, a freshman at Presque Isle High School, is an honor roll student who enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is a member of the Presque Isle High School varsity soccer team. Other hobbies include cheerleading, skiing and playing piano. 

     She is an active member of the Young Women’s organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and she enjoys meeting new people, serving others, and being involved in local community events. 

     Kohlbacher recently volunteered at one of her favorite summertime events, The Northern Maine Fair. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jared Kohlbacher of Mapleton, Maine. 

     Kilcollins is a third-grader at Woodland Consolidated School. She enjoys working hard to excel in all she does, from school to dance. 

     She also enjoys giving back by volunteering for local events and at her church. She is the daughter of Mandy and Chris Kilcollins and has two sisters Emma and Morgan, all of Woodland. 

     In addition to her title, Kilcollins was also first runner-up for the Miss Pine Tree State title.  

     Other winners included Shelby Cash, 17, of Brunswick, 2017 USA National Miss Maine Teen; Brooklyn McCarthy, 9, of Indian Township, 2017 USA National Miss Maine Pre-Teen; Brylea Newman, 4, of Alexander, 2017 USA Miss Maine National Jr. Princess; Cassidy Carr, 12, of Calais, 2017 USA National Miss Pine Tree State; and Olivia Jones, 25, of Old Town, Ms. Maine 2017.

     The titleholders will travel to Boca Raton, Fla., in July of 2017 to compete for the national titles.

     Unite Against Bullying ME was begun by the Crossroads Youth Center in Saco. The project is a free program to raise awareness of bullying prevention, involving youth by helping them create a bullying-free, safe school atmosphere. 

     The pageant platform, The Crown CARES, is modeled after Unite Against Bullying ME, and is designed specifically for volunteers, pageant systems and peer ambassadors to promote awareness of bullying in schools, to learn to cultivate a safe school environment, and to teach social responsibility skills.

     For more information on the pageant, school visits, appearances and volunteering, visit www.missmainepageant.com or UniteAgainstBullyingME.org.