Five new queens crowned in Ashland
By Susan Feeney-Hopkins
Special to The Star-Herald
ASHLAND — Fifteen young ladies competed in Miss Ashland division pageants Saturday, April 13 at the Ashland District School auditorium. Pageant Director Jessica Nason welcomed the audience introducing the judges and the emcee, Michelle Eastman, who again kept the audience well entertained throughout the evening with her easy banter and light jokes. The 2012 Ashland queens were all in attendance, as well as various local pageant queens to represent their towns and show support to their pageant sisters.
Photos courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
THE TINY MISS ASHLAND pageant was held Saturday, April 13 in the Ashland District School auditorium. The 2013 Tiny Miss Ashland is Macy MacLean, left, daughter of Aaron and Billie MacLean, who is shown here with first runner-up Callie Cullins, right, daughter of Dickie and Melanie Cullins.
MICHAELA CARNEY, left, daughter of Ryan and Michelle Carney, was recently crowned the 2013 Little Miss Ashland. Being named first runner-up was Libby Collier, right, daughter of Kris Collier and Hillary Irving.
ASHLAND CROWNED its newest Pre-Teen Miss Saturday, April 13. Kylee Bolstridge, left, the daughter of Linda Cobb and Tim Bolstridge, was crowned Pre-Teen Miss and Jamie Poulin, right, the daughter of Jason and Nicole Poulin, was awarded first runner-up. Bolstridge was also awarded Best Talent and Most Photogenic (Peoples Choice). Poulin was named the Judges Choice for Most Photogenic.
NEWLY CROWNED — Taylor Morton, right, daughter of David and Donna Morton, was crowned Ashland’s Junior Miss. Briana Harris, left, daughter of Roland and Lisa Harris, was awarded first runner-up.
2013 MISS ASHLAND Brittany Harris, center, the daughter of Roland and Lisa Harris, was all smiles following the April 13 Miss Ashland pageants. She is shown here with first runner-up Sophie Theriault, right, daughter of Sammi LaBelle and Richard Theriault, and second runner-up Laura Sturgeon, left, the daughter of Stacy and Kelli Sturgeon. Theriault was awarded with Best Talent in her division and Judges Choice as Most Photogenic. Sturgeon was chosen Peoples Choice for Most Photogenic.
The young ladies competed in the Tiny Miss, Little Miss, Pre-Teen, Junior Miss and Miss divisions to a 1980s-themed event. With ‘80s classic tunes blaring in the background, the pageant opened with the contestants modeling their best era inspired casual wear outfits. Next up was the talent portion of the competition.
Starting with the Tiny Miss contestants, Callie Cullins, the daughter of Dickie and Melanie Cullins, did a great job singing the popular Taylor Swift song “We Are Never, Ever, Ever, Getting Back Together” and fellow Little Miss contestant Macy MacLean, daughter of Aaron and Billie MacLean, danced her way into everyone’s heart to the ‘80s favorite “Footloose.”
The Little Miss contestants then hit the stage with their special talents. Kayla MacLean, daughter of Aaron and Billie MacLean, had the audience on their feet while she sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Brooklyn Stokes, the daughter of Doug and Heather Stokes, danced to “What Makes You Beautiful,” while Libby Collier, the daughter of Kris Collier and Hillary Irving, performed a Zumba dance routine. Michaela Carney, whose parents are Ryan and Michelle Carney, also performed a charming dance routine to the Disney classic “Be Our Guest.” Yasmeen Hutchinson, daughter of Sonja Hutchinson, sang and played the guitar singing “Hush Little Baby.”
Pre-Teen contestant Jamie Poulin, daughter of Jason and Nicole Poulin, danced to the current Alisha Keys hit “Girl On Fire.” Contestant Kylee Bolstridge, the daughter of Linda Cobb and Tim Bolstridge, gave one of the most unique and creative performances of the night singing “Kylee Had a Little Goat.” Dressed in a Little Bo Peep-style outfit, Bolstridge shared the stage with her pet (kid) goat, which stole the show! Bolstridge went on to win Best Talent in her division.
The Junior Miss girls both sang, as well. Taylor Morton, daughter of David and Donna Morton, sang “Steady My Heart,” while Brianna Harris, the daughter of Roland and Lisa Harris, sang the Adele hit “Rolling In the Deep.”
Miss contestants were the last to perform. Laura Sturgeon, the daughter of Stacy and Kelli Sturgeon, had the crowd tapping their toes to the pop rock anthem “Good Riddance.” Performing a lyrical dance to Adele’s hit “Set Fire to the Rain,” Brittany Harris looked beautiful and moved gracefully across the stage. Harris is the daughter of Roland and Lisa Harris. Last, but certainly not least, was the surprise performance of the night. Sophie Theriault, daughter of Richard Theriault and Sammi LaBelle, entertained with a comical dance routine to ‘80s mixed tape music dressed head to toe in full costume. Not typical to pageant style talent competitions, the routine was light hearted and hysterical leaving the judges scratching their heads at the unique routine and the audience roaring. Theriault’s personality shined through and the performance allowed her to take home Best Talent in her division.
The pageant contestants, escorted by a gentleman of their choice, then walked the stage in the evening gown segment of the pageant. All of the girls looked stunning.
Outgoing 2012 Ashland queens each performed during the pageant with Pre-Teen Miss Cassandra Nelson performing a sign language interpretation to the song “Bridge of Light.” Junior Miss Ashland Sydney Curtis sang “Ava Maria,” once again proving she is quite a vocal talent. Brooke LaBelle, Miss Ashland 2012, sang the country hit “Stay.” Little Miss Ashland Lacey Jandreau was scheduled to perform a dance and gymnastic routine, but it was decided she would not, due to her recuperation from a seasonal illness.
The 2012 queens also presented their mothers with floral bouquets in recognition of the hard work and dedication required of pageant moms. Each of the outgoing queens gave a poignant farewell walk. Each queen was escorted by her father and walked the aisle to the stage to a pre-recorded message speaking of their experiences as queens and thanking all who assisted them during their crowned year.
Two very special presentations also took place on behalf of the 2013 pageant director and contestants. Nason presented a donation to the Moro family of Ashland to assist the family with medical expenses associated with their daughter MacKenzie’s recent diagnosis of a serious medical condition. MacKenzie, age 6, has competed in the Ashland pageant and is a well-liked student at the district school. Another donation was given to Presque Isle resident Adam MacDonald who has devoted his life to raising money for the cure and awareness of muscular dystrophy; an ailment he lives with.
The pageant moms then gifted Nason with a beautiful tote bag. To her surprise, there was also an iPod hidden inside the bag. Eastman explained that Nason “was still carrying around a boom box” to dance practices and pageants comically tying that in with the ‘80s theme pageant. Eastman also recognized Nason for her devotion to the pageant. Nason donates a great deal of her time planning and preparing for this event all the while allowing for a meaningful experience for the girls. That is a great feat and Nason deserves acknowledgment for preparing such a classy and professional show.
Closing the pageant, special awards were given and the 2013 Miss Ashland Queens were crowned as follows:
• Miss Congeniality — Rochelle Chasse, the daughter of Doug and Danielle Chasse, who was unable to compete in the pageant due to illness.
• Most Tickets Sold — Michaela Carney
• Directors Award — Jamie Poulin
• Best Talent (Tiny through Pre-Teen divisions) — Kylee Bolstridge
• Best Talent (Junior through Miss divisions) — Sophie Theriault
• Miss Photogenic (People Choice) — Kylee Bolstridge and Laura Sturgeon
• Miss Photogenic (Judges Choice) — Jamie Poulin and Sophie Theriault
• Tiny Miss Ashland — Queen Macy MacLean and first runner-up Callie Cullins
• Little Miss Ashland — Queen Michaela Carney, first runner-up Libby Collier and second runner-up Yasmeen Hutchinson
• Pre-Teen Miss Ashland — Queen Kylee Bolstridge and first runner-up Jamie Poulin
• Junior Miss Ashland — Queen Taylor Morton and first runner-up Brianna Harris
• Miss Ashland — Queen Brittany Harris, first runner-up Sophie Theriault, and second runner-up Laura Sturgeon
Nason would like to thank “everyone who supported the pageant and who came out to enjoy the show.” She would also like to extend her gratitude to the generous sponsors.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 227-7760 or Feenhop@aol.com.
