Mapleton crowns new royalty

The Mapleton Pageants were held last Saturday before a large audience at the Presque Isle High School auditorium.  Master of Ceremonies Jason Parent kicked off the evening by introducing the current Misses and the evening’s contestants for the 2018 crowns as they danced to the song “True Colors.”

Parent interviewed contestants, including three additional 2017 Mapleton Misses who went on to become Potato Blossom Queens.  They are Emily Hallett, 2017 Little Miss Mapleton, who became the 2017 Little Miss Potato Blossom Queen; Olivia Locke, 2017 Pre-Teen Miss Mapleton, who became the 2017 Pre-Teen Miss Potato Blossom; and Elizabeth Collins, 2017 Teen Miss Mapleton, who became the 2017 Teen Miss Potato Blossom Potato Queen.  

Following the interviews, contestants participated in the casual wear competition, which is second of the four judged competitions.  The first competition was based on individual interviews held earlier in that day.

The talent competition was a highlight of the evening. In the Mini Miss Mapleton competition, Charlotte Ann Wardwell, daughter of David and Page Wardwell, sang “A Place in the Choir.” Aiva Dawn Elliot, daughter of Matt and Elizabeth Elliot, danced to “When Will My Life Begin.” Finally, Alivia Smith, daughter of Meagan Smith, sang and did an interpretive dance to “Yankee Doodle.”

Little Miss Mapleton contestant Molly Marie Kinney, daughter of Kevin and LeRae Kinney, danced to “Cruella DeVil.”  JoLea Robinson, the Pre-Teen Miss Mapleton contestant and daughter of Raymond and Amanda Robinson, did a stand-up comedy routine.  

The first of the two Junior Miss contestants, Keira Rebecca Cyr, daughter of Wayne and Danielle Cyr, performed the monologue “The Not So Wicked Witch,” followed by Libby Renee Kinney, daughter of Kevin and LeRae Kinney, who did a contemporary dance to “Lost.”

Paige McHatten,  Teen Miss Mapleton contestant and daughter of Matt and Kelly McHatten, performed ballet on pointe to “La La Land Medley.”  +Miss Mapleton contestant Kiara Renee Lyford, daughter of Hal and Gail Lyford, performed a self-written monologue titled “Need a Savior.”

The last judged competition was the evening gown competition, where each contestant demonstrated poise and elegance.  The competition was punctuated with farewells to all of the 2017 Mapleton Misses. Each Miss was escorted on a last walk around the auditorium by their fathers as a farewell slideshow played.  Little Mapleton Madison Oakes was escorted by her father Bruce Oakes, Pre-Teen Elizabeth Wing escorted by Rick Wing, Junior Miss Mapleton Meg Casavant escorted by Chris Casavant and Miss Mapleton Sarah Morneault escorted by Jeff Morneault.

Then it was time for the 2018 winners to be announced and crowned.  

The 2018 Mini Miss Mapleton is Aiva Dawn Elliot, with Charlotte Ann Wardwell as first runner-up and Alivia Smith as the second runner-up.  

The 2018 Little Miss Mapleton is Molly Marie Kinney, while JoLea Robinson is the 2018 Pre-Teen Miss Mapleton.  Libby Renee Kinney was crowned Junior Miss Mapleton while Keira Rebecca Cyr was named first runner-up. The 2018 Teen Miss Mapleton is Paige McHatten.

As the evening competition came to end, Kiara Renee Lyford was crowned as the new 2018 Miss Mapleton by the retiring 2017 Miss Mapleton Sarah Morneault.

Paula Shaw, pageant director, thanked sponsors and volunteers who made the pageants a success, and thanked contestants’ parents for their support.

First Friday Luncheon  

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Mapleton United Methodist Church had to delay its regular First Friday Luncheon that was scheduled April 6.  The luncheon is now scheduled for this coming Friday, April 13, at 11:30 a.m.

The public is invited to attend.  If you have missed these luncheons, please plan to attend.  They are excellent times to meet friends and neighbors who you may not see too often.  There is no charge for the lunch but donations are accepted.

School Book Sale  

The Mapleton Elementary School spring book sale is underway.  The Scholastic “buy one, get one free” book fair has three days left.  

Today and Thursday, April 11 and 12, the event will be open 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Friday hours being 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.   

Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.