ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney-Hopkins
Five new queens were crowned from the Ashland area on Saturday, April 12 during back to back pageant events held in the Ashland School Auditorium.
Because of the length of time involved, I was only able to attend one pageant, which was the Junior and Miss pageant.
The Tiny, Little and Pre Teen Miss Ashland division pageants began at 2 p.m. to a packed house of family and friends. Casey Bonville, Miss Maine Collegiate was the emcee for the event. “The girls were very excited to have such a wonderful young lady involved in our pageant” said Pageant Director Jessica (Nason) Eastman.
The contestants participated in Everyday Wear, Talent and Evening Gown events. Awards were given in the following categories: Most Tickets Sold, MacKenzie Moro; Most Advertising Sold, MacKenzie Moro; Most Photogenic (People’s Choice), Angel Hafford; Most Photogenic (Judges’ Choice) Kaydence Howes; Directors Award, Rochelle Chasse; Miss Congeniality, Emma Doughty; Miss Community Service, Kayla MacLean; Best Candy Wear, Abby Doughty; and Best Talent, Lacey Jandreau for her gymnastics routine.
The 2014 Queens and their Court are as follows: Tiny Miss Ashland 2014, Emma Doughty; First Runner-Up, Kaydence Howes; and Second Runner-Up, Angel Hafford. The 2014 Little Miss Ashland Queen is Kayla MacLean; First Runner-Up is Abby Doughty and Second Runner-Up is Libby Collier. The 2014 Ashland Pre Teen Queen is Lacey Jandreau and the First Runner-Up, Rochelle Chasse.
The Junior and Miss Ashland division pageants began at 6 p.m., also welcoming a full auditorium. “Candy Land” was the theme of this year’s pageant with the Everyday Wear event cleverly featuring the contestants sporting their best candy-themed attire. The girls were very creative fashioning outfits made with real candy or candy wrappers.
The emcee for the evening was Miss Maine U.S. International Brittany Bearden. Bearden, who is a Presque Isle native, was entertaining and served as a positive role model and inspiration to our local contestants.
The contestants participated in the talent portion of the pageant with each girl delivering unique and first-class performances. Emilee Lothrop performed a beautiful lyrical dance, a 9-1-1 tribute. Kassandra Nelson performed the current hit song ‘Let It Go’ in American Sign Language. Brianna Harris danced a charming jazz routine to “Lights, Camera, Action”. Morgan Doughty sang a fantastic version of the Miranda Lambert hit “More Like Her” which really highlighted her vocal talent. Hannah Harmon sang a beautiful “Amazing Grace” while her sister Catherine Harmon danced to “(I Feel Good) I Got You”. Alexis Dotson performed a clever jazz routine to “Lollipop”, keeping with the theme of the pageant. Camryn Curtis, gave an entertaining performance when she sang “My Favorite Things”. Jasmine Clark performed a lively jazz routine to “Dance With Me Tonight” while Lacey Good delivered a rocking hip hop dance. Livening things up, Ashley Robinson performed a stand up comedy act which was very well received by the crowd, proving pretty girls can also be funny! The effervescent Cassidy Goulet tap danced to “Ballroom Blitz”. Closing the talent portion of the pageant was Sydney Curtis singing a pitch perfect “I Dream A Dream”.
The last event of the evening was the Evening Gown competition. Each contestant looked elegant as they were escorted on to the stage. Pageant Director Jessica Eastman then presented the Miss Ashland Gives Back award which is given to worthy individuals and organizations. This year the award was given to The Ashland Area PTO “for doing so many wonderful things for the students” said Eastman as Ashland educator Kim Holmes accepted the award on behalf of the PTO.
The next award was presented to the Josh and Jack Clark College Fund. The boys’ father, the late Joey Clark, was an Ashland native who passed away earlier this year. Accepting the award was the boys’ aunt Jasmine Clark, who was a contestant in the Miss Ashland division.
Again this year, Eastman welcomed Adam MacDonald and his mother Cheryl to the stage. MacDonald, who has muscular dystrophy, and his mother spend countless hours, all year, every year, fundraising for muscular dystrophy awareness. This year, as a surprise to Adam, instead of awarding him with a donation for his fundraising cause, he was given tickets to attend a Red Sox game in Boston. It was a wonderful surprise for Adam, who is very deserving of something just for him.
Recognition was then given to the contestants in the following categories: Most Tickets Sold, Jasmine Clark; Most Advertisements Sold, Catherine Harmon; Miss Photogenic (public vote), Lacey Good; Miss Photogenic (judges’ vote), Kassandra Nelson; Directors Award, Camryn Curtis; Community Service Award, Lacey Good; Best Candy Wear, Kassandra Nelson; Best Talent, Sydney Curtis and Miss Congeniality, Alexis Dotson.
As the anticipation built, it was time to choose the Queen and her Court. The 2014 Junior Miss Ashland Queen is Morgan Doughty, First Runner-Up was awarded to Kassandra Nelson and Second Runner-Up was Camryn Curtis. The 2014 Miss Ashland is Cassidy Goulet, First Runner-Up is Sydney Curtis and Second Runner-Up was awarded to Lacey Good.
Director Eastman would like to “thank my girls for doing such a wonderful job. They are all queens to me.” She also extends her thanks to the sponsors, judges, backstage helpers, escorts and all who helped make the pageants possible. For more information on next year’s pageant, contact Eastman.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 227-7760 or Feenhop@aol.com.