CARIBOU, Maine — Guests packed the Caribou Performing Arts Center on Saturday for a pageant in which the 2018 Miss and Little Miss Caribou were named.
Six contestants competed for the title of Little Miss Caribou: 6-year-old Sadie Hunter, daughter of Matthew and Amy Hunter; 7-year-old Mallory Maynard, daughter of Spencer and Heather Maynard; 7-year-old Annabelle Smith, daughter of Zach and Elizabeth Smith; 7-year-old Kayleigh Tagett, daughter of Kelsey Taggett; 7-year-old Emily Zell, daughter of James and Bethany Zell; and 8-year-old Vivian Bell, daughter of Vince and Kristi Bell.
Two contestants vied for the title of Miss Caribou: 16-year-old Ashley Violette, daughter of Jennifer St. Peter; and 17-year-old Makenzie Conroy, daughter of Ralph and Vickie Conroy. Josh Verhoff sponsored Violette, while Burger Boy, The Lavender Puff, and The Sign Place sponsored Conroy.
Performances showcased a variety of the young contestants’ talents, with Hunter performing a contemporary dance to the song, “Fix You,” by Coldplay. Bell gave a vocal performance of the song, “Lavender Blue.” Maynard performed an African themed dance to the song, “Waka Waka,” by Shakira. Taggett sang the song, “Boomerang,” by JoJo Siwa. Smith performed a dance to the song, “You and Me,” from Disney’s “Descendants 2.” Zell performed a monologue titled, “Fancy Nancy.”
Miss Caribou contestant Conroy delivered a vocal performance of the song, “Better Place,” by Rachel Platten and Viollette gave a piano and vocal performance of “The Rose,” by Bette Midler.
Guests cheered on their favorite contestants throughout the event, and judges ultimately named Vivian Bell as the 2018 Little Miss Caribou, awarding her with a trophy, banner, scepter pin, and $100 cash award from the Lister-Knowlton VFW Auxiliary, which sponsored the event.
First runner up was Emily Zell, who will be able to take the place of Miss Caribou for events in Bell’s absence. Second runner up was Mallory Maynard.
In the Miss Caribou competition, judges named Conroy the 2018 winner, awarding her a $500 scholarship, a tiara, sash, and a dozen roses. Viollette was named first runner up and received a $300 scholarship along with the ability to take Conroy’s place if she is unable to perform her duties for the year.
For ticket sales, Bell received third place, Maynard second place, and Smith first place.
Bell also received a plaque for being voted “Little Miss Congeniality” by her fellow contestants, an award given to the competitor who is the most helpful and friendly.
Bell also tied with Zell for highest score in the talent segment and Smith won first place for the interview, which occurred before the event.
At press time, Pageant Director Cheryl Bossie said she did not yet have a total number of tickets sold or the amount of money donated to the Jefferson Cary Cancer Center, as the bills were still coming in and being processed.
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- 2017 Miss Caribou Sheridan Blackstone crowns 2018 Little Miss Caribou Vivian Bell during a March 24 pageant as 2017 Little Miss Caribou Makenzie Lynn Cole looks on. (Christopher Bouchard)
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- 2018 Little Miss and Miss Caribou pageant contestants and winners are, from left, Emily Zell, Annabelle Smith, 2018 Little Miss Caribou Vivian Bell, 2018 Miss Caribou Makenzie Conroy, Ashley Violette, Kayleigh Taggett, Mallory Maynard, and Sadie Hunter. (Christopher Bouchard)
