PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Four young ladies took center stage April 28 at the Presque Isle High School auditorium, hoping to be named Miss Presque Isle 2007.
When the evening came to an end, it was Nicole Ballard who was chosen to represent the Star City for the coming year.
Emcee for the evening was Penny McHatten, who shared her trademark sense of humor, noting that contestants don’t have as many things to worry about as women her age do.
“They don’t have to spend hours on makeup or worry about their cheeks covering their eyes when they flip their head down to dry their hair,” said McHatten, as she opened the evening’s show.
Judges for the evening were Lorinda Duncan, Megan Beals and Lynn Lombard. Auditors for the pageant were Cindy Flannigan and Benton Cash.
Prior to the festivities, each contestant went through the interview process. Interviews counted as 40 percent of their score, with talent counting as 30 percent, sportswear for 15 percent and evening wear the remaining 15 percent of their final total.
Kicking off the event, contestants took to the stage in a group number, joined by reigning Miss Presque Isle 2006, Ashley Sweetser. Participating were: Germaine Scott, daughter of Richard and Tammy Scott; Kassandra Dumais, daughter of Steven and Denise Dumais; Nicole Ballard, daughter of Patrick and Paula Ballard and Robin and Mark Demers; and Morgan Svitila, daughter of Cheryl Lyons and Joseph Svitila.
The next judged category was talent. Scott shared a vocal presentation, singing “Only One Road.” Dumais, who had the highest ticket sales for the event, also provided a vocal performance, with “Where Would You Be.” Ballard, who won the talent award for the evening, sang “Now My Lifesong Sings.” Svitila, who was named Miss Congeniality, rounded out the competition dancing to “Till The Dawn.”
Completing the evening’s competition, each contestant took to the stage for the evening gown segment that included a question from McHatten.
Scott wore a slender sequined purple gown that was set off by her red hair and told the judges education was the biggest issue facing the state of Maine.
“Without education, you go nowhere,” said Scott.
Dumais selected a red gown that went well with her dark tresses. She advised the judges that the one word that best described her was ‘energetic.’
“I’m very energetic. I go to school and am always running around, making people laugh,” said Dumais.
Ballard selected a raspberry-toned slender gown. When asked who the most influential young person in the news today, good or bad, Ballard said Brittney Spears.
“Brittney Spears is in a negative way. Her name is all through the news and she’s not a positive role model,” said Ballard.
Svitila, wearing a dark-hued full-skirted gown, explained how, through her art, she could affect others.
“I’d take a tree, creating shade for someone,” said Svitila.
Rounding out the evening by providing entertainment between judged segments of the pageant were a number of performances. Sweetser provided a couple of dance routines, as did reigning Junior Miss Presque Isle 2006 Lorraine Hughes and reigning Little Miss Presque Isle 2006 Lydia Patterson. Members of the Maine Dance Academy also strutted their stuff, thrilling the audience with their choreographed dance routine.
Also making an appearance were a number of visiting queens from around Aroostook County.
Sweetser took to the stage one last time, bidding farewell as queen, making one last walk around the auditorium accompanied by her father.
Once judging was completed, contestants had a bit of fun, appearing on stage for the parade of gowns – an opportunity for the girls to let loose and have a bit of fun.
The evening came to a close with the girls standing on stage, anxiously awaiting the judges’ decisions. Each girl was presented a trophy according to placement in the competition. Dumais was selected third runner-up and was presented with a $50 savings bond. Svitila took second place and received a $200 scholarship. Scott was named first runner-up and was presented with a $350 scholarship. Ballard was named the winner and received an $800 scholarship, crown and sash.
Ballard will now go on to represent the city of Presque Isle in the Potato Blossom Festival to be held in Fort Fairfield in July.
