By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
On May 27, the stage at the Caribou Performing Arts Center was filled with nostalgia references to the 1970s, from peace signs to flower power and even a bright red Volkswagen ‘bug.’ The four contestants vying for the title of Miss Caribou 2011, along with Alyson Michaud, Caribou’s 2010 queen, all kept the theme going as they opened the evening event with a “Chinese Fire drill,” followed by the contestants and Michaud appearing onstage performing to the song, “Dancing Queen.” The barefooted dancers sporting bell-bottom jeans and Michaud, with bare feet in her mini dress and crown, clearly proved that each of these ladies were very much at ease under the bright lights.
Contestants in the recent Miss Caribou Pageant are, from left, Brianna Gorence, 2011 Miss Caribou Elizabeth Keaton, Mary Jo Sheehan, Miss Congeniality and Kayla Collins, first runner-up to the title.
The first judged category of evening was the appearance of each contestant in sportswear at which time they were introduced to the audience by Dick Palm, pageant emcee.
Always the most nerve-wracking but enjoyable part of the pageant, the four young ladies next participated in the talent presentations.
Kayla Collins, the daughter of Shawn and Heidi Manter performed a vocal selection to “What I Did For Love.” Her sponsor for the evening was Aroostook Inspection Services.
Mary Jo Sheehan, the daughter of William and Laurie Sheehan, sang, “You Take Me the Way I Am.” Her sponsor was ACES.
Brianna Gorence, the daughter of Richard and Paula Gorence, performed a self-choreographed ballet en pointe, to the song, “Fireworks.” The CHS senior was sponsored by her family and friends.
Elizabeth Keaton, the daughter of Michael and Susan Keaton, sang, “Le Jazz Hot” for her talent presentation. She was sponsored by Griffeth Ford and United Insurance Group.
The four contestants, all a seniors at Caribou High School, next dazzled their audience in the evening gown walk competition. As they gracefully strolled across the CPAC stage, they stopped briefly to reply to a question selected for them by the judges.
Kayla Collins, when asked how one knows when they have grown from a girl into a woman, replied, “When someone is confident and beautiful in her own way, standing out in a crowd.”
When asked what the one thing she could not tolerate would be, Mary Jo Sheehan promptly answered, “Bullying — I absolutely hate it.”
Brianna Gorence responded to her question, “what do you do for your community and the environment?” by stating “going up and down our road with my family picking up trash — I’m also a big fan of recycling.”
When asked where she would go if she could enter a time machine, Elizabeth Keaton emphatically stated, “Back when style was style — fashion is my passion.”
Having completed the judged categories, the young ladies appeared on stage, this time ready for some less tense time , as they hammed it up dancing to, “My Boogie Shoes.” Resplendent in their evening gowns, the four drew applause and laughter from the audience as, while dancing they displayed their unique ‘boogie shoes,” which included one pair of bright purple high-top sneakers, a pair of open-toed spike heels, polka-dotted rain boots and a pair of pink running shoes.
As the announcement was made that the judges had made their difficult decision and the votes had been counted and validated, the four equally talented young ladies with the charming smiles and wonderful personalities clasped hands waiting for the final pageant moment.
Elizabeth Keaton captured the crown and title of Miss Caribou 2011. Kayla Collins, first runner-up to the title was also winner of the pageant’s essay competition.
Mary Jo Sheehan was voted by her peers as Miss Congeniality.
Throughout the 2011 Miss Caribou Pageant other local royalty provided special entertainment including Little Miss Caribou McKenna Smith; Teen Miss Caribou Reanna Plourde; Jr. Miss Kelsie Washington; and PreTeen Miss Kyra Thibeault.
Alyson Michaud also, despite an extremely sore throat and a bad case of laryngitis, once again fulfilled her duties as the 2010 Miss Caribou with class such as she has done throughout her reign, presenting a vocal/piano selection. Michaud, escorted by her step-father Scott Walton, also expressed her thanks to her family, friends and the community for their support and offered the best to her successor, during the traditional fare-well walk.
Judges for the 2011 Miss Caribou Scholarship Pageant included Mikala Woollard of Mars Hill, Sue Powers of Mapleton and Wendy Prashaw, of Woodland. Interview judges were Jessica Dionne of Fort Fairfield, Pam Caldwell of Limestone and Tina Fields of Easton.
The Annual Miss Caribou Scholarship pageant is sponsored by the Caribou Lioness Club.
