Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – An annual event is upon us that is a sure sign that spring is here.
The Miss Presque Isle Scholarship Pageant will be held on April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Presque Isle High School auditorium. This year, eight contestants will compete for the coveted title.
Entrants include: Rebekah Elizabeth Shaw, Kassandra Denise Dumais, Brittany Jacquelin Bearden, Allison Nadine Donovan, Tiffany Ann Belanger, Autumn Joy Whittaker, Germaine Athylie Scott and Morgan Victoria Crosby Svilita.
Shaw, 16, is the daughter of Sonja Plummer-Morgan and Stephen Shaw and the stepdaughter of James Morgan. Shaw plans to attend college, hopes to someday visit France and is considering several careers, including working with children as a teacher or becoming a wedding consultant. She will be dancing for her talent.
Dumais, 18, is the daughter of Denise and Steven Dumais. Currently a participant in the Early College for Me program, Dumais plans to attend Northern Maine Community College this fall, majoring in early childhood education, with future plans to continue working with children at her own daycare. She will entertain at the pageant with a dance routine.
Bearden, 17, is the daughter of Monica Bearden and Jeff Bearden. Upon graduation, Bearden would like to attend college in Boston and perhaps start a career as an interior designer there, before moving back to her hometown where she’d like to get married and raise a family, as well as open her own business. She will entertain with a hip-hop dance to the song “I Believe.”
Donovan, 17, is the daughter of Linda and Tim Kelly and Kirk Donovan. She will be attending Dalhousie University in the fall, with a planned major in music and theater, and hopes to either perform or teach music and/or theater upon graduation. She will be performing a song made popular by Nat “King” Cole called “Orange Colored Sky.”
Belanger, 17, is the daughter of Tammy Walton and Jody Belanger and stepdaughter of Tina Belanger. This fall, she will be attending the University of Maine at Orono majoring in social work, with plans to get her master’s degree in social work and then get a job with a Maine school district. Belanger’s talent will involve a sign language presentation.
Whittaker, 16, is the daughter of Sherry Jandreau and Douglas Whittaker. Upon graduation, she would like to attend college outside of Maine with a focus on massage therapy, with plans to one day open her own practice, get married and start a family and possibly coach her own cheerleading team. Whittaker will be dancing for her talent.
Scott, 17, is the daughter of Richard Scott and Tammy Scott. After graduating, she plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to study political science, as well as the University of Southern Maine Law School with a focus in the family law practice. She would also like to become a wife and mother. Scott will provide a vocal selection for her talent.
Svitila, 17, is the daughter of Cheryl Lyons. She plans to attend Northern Maine Community College upon graduation, with medical focus. She hopes to one day work in the medical field. Svitila’s entertain at this year’s pageant with a dance routine.
Tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased from any contestant or at the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 3 Houlton Rd.
Tickets will also be sold at the door the night of the pageant, if any are still available.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
EIGHT PRESQUE ISLE High School students will be competing for the title of Miss Presque Isle 2008. Contestants include, front row, from left: Morgan Svitila, Rebekah Shaw and Brittany Bearden. Second row: Germaine Scott, Kassandra Dumais and Tiffany Belanger. Third row: Autumn Whittaker and Allison Donovan. The pageant is scheduled for April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Presque Isle High School auditorium. 
