Thornton Academy’s Garland Auditorium in Saco was the setting for the sixth annual Maine Academic Scholarship Pageant held on Aug. 16. Forty-five Maine women and young ladies vied for their respective titles to compete nationally and to earn the opportunity to represent the Unite Against Bullying ME project in Maine schools. The new titleholders will compete for national titles at the National MS Pageant in Williamsburg, Va. in August 2015.
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Thornton Academy’s Garland Auditorium in Saco was the setting for the 6th annual Maine Academic Scholarship Pageant held on Aug., 16. Forty-five Maine women and young ladies vied for their respective titles to compete nationally and to earn the opportunity to represent the Unite Against Bullying ME project in Maine Schools. Kim Parent, of Caribou was named National Ms. Maine 2015; Andrea Perreault, of Van Buren was named National Mrs. Maine 2015; Samantha Clark, National Miss Maine 2015; and Kelley Wassick, National Miss Teen Maine, 2015. The new titleholders will compete for national titles at the National MS Pageant in Williamsburg, Va. in August, 2015.
Kelley Wassick, 18, a recent graduate of Windham High School was crowned National Miss Teen Maine 2015. She is the recipient of Crossroads Unite Against Bullying High School Scholarship for 2014 and attended her first semester of college while still in high school. She attends the University of Southern Maine and majors in English with the goal of studying for her master’s in speech pathology. A naturally born philanthropist, Wassick has won over five community service awards for commitment to volunteerism in Maine. She is also the winner of the Photogenic Award and the Facebook People’s Choice Award. Kelley is the daughter of Robert and Mary Wassick of Windham.
Samantha Clark, 20, a sophomore at Wheelock College in Boston, was crowned National Miss Maine 2015. She is a dual major in elementary education and visual arts and graduated top 10 in her high school class. Samantha was the recipient of the interview, fashion and evening gown awards and has modeled professionally. She was the first Miss Maine High School and placed top 15 at her national pageant in San Antonio. She is the daughter of Kevin and Sheri Clark of Lewiston. First runner-up was Stefanie Veneziano of Portland.
Kim Parent of Caribou was crowned the first National Ms. Maine representing women over the age of 35. Kim is a public relations generalist at the Cary Medical Center in Caribou. She resides in Caribou with her husband of 13 years, Jason, and their two children, Christopher and Kallee.
Andrea Perreault was crowned the first National Mrs. Maine. A licensed cosmetologist and educator, Perreault is the owner of the French Twist Hair Salon. She resides in Van Buren with her husband of nine years, Keith, and their 2-year-old, Ava. Andrea’s first runner-up was Jasmine DeRier of Easton.
All the new titleholders will spend the year promoting the Crown C.A.R.E.S (Creating A Respectful Environment in Schools), the state platform and part of the Unite Against Bullying ME Project, which is operated by Crossroads Youth Center of Saco, a 501 c3 youth organization that provides resources and education on character education and awareness of bullying prevention. Free school and community visits are available by contacting the program’s director.
The team is asking for the community to support their efforts to raise money for the Unite Against Bullying ME Walk, Run, or Roll events in Saco, Baileyville and Caribou on Sunday, Sept. 28.
For more information regarding the national state or local pageants, the Unite Against Bullying ME Project and the Crown CARES, appearances by a titleholder, or to become a sponsor or volunteer, contact Deb Landry at 838-2146 or by email at editor@breathe maine.org. The organizational websites are www.uniteagainstbullyingme.org, www.missmainepageant.com and www.cycsaco.org.
