Student Intern
Torrents of near blinding rain and rumors of tornado warnings didn’t keep people away from Fort Fairfield last Saturday night. Hundreds crowded into the gym/auditorium at the Middle-High School to witness the crowning of 2008’s Maine Potato Blossom Queen.
Staff photo/Deanna Jordan
2007 Maine Potato Queen, Katie Smith, crowns Molly Bouchard, of Caribou, as the new Maine Potato Queen.
Molly Bouchard, of Caribou, was chosen as the winning queen after her performance of the operatic piece, “O Mio Babbino Caro.” Bouchard said during the interview portion of the show that her future plans include getting her doctorate in operatic performance, and she hopes to someday be performing at the Metropolitan Opera House.
First runner up was Miss Greater Mars Hill, Michelle Tweedie and second runner up was Miss Mapleton, Hannah Cheney. Miss Limestone, Kalli Cote, was voted as most photogenic, and Miss Fort Fairfield, Rosemary Williams received the title of Miss Congeniality.
The competing queens were judged on different categories throughout the show. For the physical fitness portion the contestants showed off their beach wear, including colorful t-shirts, shorts and skirts as well as their favorite pair of sneakers or flip-flops, while the Beach Boys played in the background.
Thirty percent of the overall score was based on the talent competition, which included a variety of performances, including singing, a piano solo, and different styles of dance.
The final portion of the show included the evening wear competition as well as a short interview, during which the contestants told the audience their future plans and goals before answering one question. Questions asked ranged from what it meant to them to be the new potato queen to why they were so interested in the activities and organizations they enjoyed being involved with.
The first performance of the evening was by the recently crowned Little Miss Potato Blossom, Chloe Wheeler, of Bridgewater. Members of the audience were giggling enthusiastically at what many described as being “an absolutely adorable” performance of “Folsom Prison Blues,” originally performed by Johnny Cash. Wheeler had great stage presence, dancing across the stage with her pink guitar , dressed in her pink and black striped “prison” uniform.
Germaine Scott, Miss Presque Isle, was the first contestant to perform, singing “I Dreamed a Dream,” a very emotional song from the musical “Les Miserables.” Scott later sported a sparkling coral-hued gown for the evening wear and interview portion.
Miss Van Buren, Kristin Therieault, treated the audience to her musical skills, playing “The Homecoming,” on piano. Therieault later answered her interview question wearing a gown deep blue in color.
Limestone’s queen, Kalli Cote walked onstage complete with cowboy hat and checkered shirt to perform “Suds in the Bucket,” by country star, Sarah Evans. Cote later contrasted the country look by putting on a sequined black and white gown for the eveningwear portion.
Rosemary Williams, Miss Fort Fairfield, entertained the audience with a very energetic self-choreographed tap dance routine. Williams then changed into her evening gown choice, a glittering pink gown covered with multi-colored sparkles.
Miss Easton, Casey Baston, showed off her dancing abilities when she performed a jazz dance to “SOS,” by pop singer, Rhianna. Baston later donned a very bright, sunny and sparkling orange gown during the eveningwear competition.
Michelle Tweedie, Miss Greater Mars Hill, took the audience back to the ‘20s, complete with flapper gown and feathered headband, singing “Big Spender,” from the musical “Sweet Charity.” Tweedie “glammed” up for the second half, wearing a sparkling gold gown.
Miss Mapleton, Hannah Cheney, wowed the audience with her powerful performance of the song “Completely.” Cheney later changed into a scarlet gown covered in tiny white polka dots for the interview and eveningwear portion of the show.
The newly crowned Jr. Miss Potato Queen, Michaela Powers, of Mapleton, performed a ballet routine to “The Sacrifice,” from the movie “The Piano,” while the votes were tallied.
The Maine Potato Queen for 2007, Katie Smith performed an energetic and enthusiastic dance routine to “Orange Colored Sky,” between the talent and eveningwear portions. Before the crowning of the new queen, Smith took her last walk as the Maine Potato Queen, escorted by her grandfather. As she walked and waved goodbye to the audience, a recorded message from her was played over the speakers. She recalled all the memories she had made during her reign, including the not so good times such as float lights going out during the light parade. Smith will be starting her second year at the University of Maine at Presque Isle in the fall, and said that all the contestants worked really hard, did an amazing job and “they all should feel very proud.”
Staff photo/Deanna Jordan
Maine Potato Queen 2007, Katie Smith, waves to the audience during her final walk as queen, while a pre-recorded farewell message by her played in the background.
Miss Fort Fairfield, Rose-Mary Williams accepts her award for being voted Miss Congeniality, presented by Maine Potato Queen 2007, Katie Smith.
Miss Limestone, Kalli Cote, poses with 2007 Maine Potato Queen, Katie Smith, as Smith awards Cote with the award for Most Photogenic.
Germaine Scott, Miss Presque Isle, changed into a coral hued gown for the second half of the competition, which included the evening wear and interview portions.
Katie Smith, 2007 Maine Potato Queen, awards Miss Mapleton, Hannah Cheney with her trophy for being named second runner up.
Miss Easton, Casey Baston, chose a bright, sunny, orange colored gown for the second half of the show.
Miss Van Buren, Kristin Therieault, donned a deep blue gown during the eveningwear competition.
Michelle Tweedie, Miss Greater Mars Hill, accepts her trophy for being named first runner up in the competition, awarded by Katie Smith, 2007 Maine Potato Queen.
