By Barbara ScottStaff Writer
The stage at the Caribou Middle School was the scene for “Lights, Camera and Action,” as three young ladies from Caribou High School competed for the crown and title of Miss Caribou 2009.
The pageant, held March 21, was sponsored once again by the Caribou Lioness Club. Given this is Caribou’s 150th birthday year, it seemed fitting that the pageant was once again held at this location. Prior to the construction of the Caribou Performing Arts Center, this particular stage saw a great number of contestants take their first walk as Caribou newest royalty.
Lioness member Jan Tompkins, co-chair of the event with Bonnie Bouchard, welcomed those in attendance and thanked the sponsors of the 2009 Miss Caribou Scholarship Pageant.
Molly Bouchard, the current Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen, served as mistress of ceremonies during the evening.
The three contestants opened the pageant with “Lights, Camera, Action,” as they appeared on stage followed by their runway walk competition which counted for 10 percent of their total score; the runway walk served as a fast, sassy contestant parade to the music “Super Model.”
Prior to the talent portion of the affair, visiting queens stepped to the stage, these queens included Kyleigh DeMerchant, Little Miss Caribou 2008 and newly crowned Jr. Miss Caribou Regan Buck. The new Miss Teen Caribou, Brianna Gorence was also in attendance and provided some special entertainment as she performed a tap dance routine to “Boogey, Woogey Bugle Boy of Company B.”
Also providing entertainment during the 2009 scholarship pageant was 2008 Miss Caribou Sheri Zbylut who presented a vocal selection entitled, “God Speaking.”
Sarah-Jeanne McGlinn, the daughter of Craig and Mary McGlinn kept her audience entranced as she expressively sang, “Fields of God,” as her talent presentation. During the interview portion of the competition, was asked what message she would like to get across to the young people of today. McGlinn very seriously replied that she would like to tell young girls to always have confidence in themselves, to believe in what they want and not to change. Her sponsors for the event were Craig McGlinn, Master Electrician, Dahlgren Christmas Tree Farm, ACES Electric and the Caribou Movie Theater.
McGlinn was selected first runner up to the Miss Caribou 2009 crown.
Kaysie Nichole Pelletier, the daughter of Brian and Karen Pelletier, was contestant number two. Pelletier’s talent was a self-composed baton routine to the music, “Move It.” The young woman, an accomplished baton twirler and dancer, never missed a beat and treated the audience to bit of glow to the stage, as the lights went out and the only image on stage visible were two illuminated batons. Pelletier, sponsored by Sullivan’s Floor Covering, said in reply to her interview question that if there was one bit of interest about Caribou she would tell someone about, it would be about where the first Miss Caribou’s were crowned, another reference to the history created within the former high school where the pageant was held.
Pelletier was the winner of the highest ticket sales and was also the essay winner.
Danielle Ruth Lane, the daughter of Kurt and Delores Lane was contestant number three. Lane, who was crowned Miss Caribou 2009 at the completion of the pageant sang a vocal selection, “Listen,” for her talent presentation. Sponsored by Small Steps Dance, Caribou Food Trend and Deli, and Second Hand Rose, Lane was asked as her interview question, if she could go back in time what era would she choose. Without hesitation the new Miss Caribou responded she would like to go back into the Roaring ‘20s or the 1940s where she would be able to be amidst the jazz musicians and see how she could improve her own musical talent.
The interview competition was partnered with the contestants gown walk.
Judges for the evening event were Cheryl Michaud, Jessica Dionne and Dawn Eckstein.
Cary Medical Center provided a $100 sponsorship to the Scholarship Pageant.
Pageant committee members included; Jan Tompkins and Bonnie Bouchard, co-chairs; Debbie Plourde and Jennifer Plourde, lights and curtains; De’Angela Cyr, sound system; Shirley Dumais, Imelda Mayo, Jill Westin and Joan Dube, tickets and door; Karen Wong, Victoria Wong and Jen Brown, backstage assistants; Vicki Labrie and Henreriette Lagasse, judges and tally.
A special thanks from the Caribou Lioness Club went out to Images of Caribou for assistance with hair and makeup for the contestants and to Matthew Whitten, 7-year old son of Kathy and Jeff Whitten, who took part, in a very cool way, in various parts of the pageant.
Contestants in the 2009 Miss Caribou Scholarship Pageant await the judges’ decision during the March 21, event held on stage at the Caribou Middle School. Contenders are, from left, Sarah-Jeanne McGlinn, Kaysie Nicole Pelletier and Danielle Ruth Lane.
Seven-year-old Matthew Whitten took part in the opening number of the Miss Caribou pageant and received a big kiss for his “cool” participation.
Elizabeth Zyblut, Miss Caribou 2008, adorns her successor, Danielle Ruth Lane with the 2009 crown. Lane is the daughter of Kurt and Delores Lane.
Kaysie Nicole Pelletier stops and smiles for her audience during the final walk of the 2009 Miss Caribou Pageant. Pelletier is the daughter of Brian and Karen Pelletier.
Danielle Lane performed a vocal selection for her talent presentation. Lane sang, “Listen.”
Sarah-Jeanne McGlinn sings, “Fields of Gold,” for her talent presentation during the 2009 Miss Caribou Scholarship Pageant held March 21. The annual pageant was sponsored by the Caribou Lioness Club.
Kaysie Nicole Pelletier was all smiles during the runway walk performed to “Super Model.”
Danielle Ruth Lane poses during the gown walk in the 2009 Miss Caribou Scholarship Pageant
Sarah-Jeanne McGlinn, first runner-up to the 2009 Miss Caribou title.
