Miss NB First Princess is Miss Grand Falls
Miss Salmon Festival crowned pageant queen
Some philosophers have said a true leader is one who is least willing to assume the role and who possesses no ambition for personal gain.
The judges of the Miss New Brunswick Pageant 2008 may not have had this in mind on Tuesday evening, but their choice in naming Miss Salmon Festival Vanessa Dupere of Campbellton as the province's new queen reflected this age-old wisdom.
Vanessa, the 18-year-old daughter of Gail and Richard Dupere, entered her hometown's pageant for one noble reason.
"The Miss Salmon Festival pageant brings money into (Campbellton). I went into it because they didn't have enough girls to make it happen," Vanessa told the Bugle-Observer after being crowned.
She was just looking to have fun, while bringing economic activity to her community, and ended up winning the pageant.
Even some 30 minutes after being named Miss New Brunswick 2008, the bashful young woman still had trouble grasping the title.
"I just don't believe it. It's still kind of sinking in," she said.
Vanessa was chosen over 13 other contestants vying for this year's crown on Tuesday night, July 29, at the Carleton Civic Centre.
The young ladies came from across the province to compete in Monday night's talent portion and Tuesday's main event.
First princess was endowed to Miss Grand Falls Veronique Morin. The 19-year-old daughter of Rene and Huguette Morin lit up as a smile spread across her face after receiving her first princess sash from out-going queen Jenna Culberson.
Hannah McGee of St. Andrews entered as Miss International and was named Miss Talent of the pageant. The 19-year-old daughter of Piper and Chris Scalabrin and Kim and George McGee was honoured with the title after performing a stellar artistic dance both nights of the pageant. McGee's swift and graceful movements to the song Held earned her the position.
Carleton County's own Miss Hartland 2007 Amy Page was named Miss Congeniality. All 14 young ladies voted for who they felt was the most suited for the role and Page – the daughter of Wayne and Beverly Page – was selected, living up to her county's trademark hospitality.
Hannah's shoulder was getting a little weighed down by the end of the evening as the active Miss International was also chosen to wear the pageant's second princess sash.
Earlier in the pageant, Miss Grand Falls Veronique Morin Morin gave a powerful acoustic rendition of John Lennon's famous Imagine with a voice effortlessly striking soft and strong notes.
The pageant kicked off with a speech from Woodstock Mayor Art Slipp who introduced the evening's Master of Ceremonies.
An unexpected pair took over the long-time hosting duties held down by Richard Jones and Bob Fowlie of EZ Rock.
"Double your pleasure, double your fun, two Mike Allens are better than one," chuckled Slipp as he handed the microphone over to Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen and a local banker of the same name.
The show switched into high gear with all contestants flooding the stage for an energetic dance routine.
Then the 14 young women careened the stage in casual wear outfits they picked out according to their own individual style and preference.
A few contestants gave another performance of the previous night's talent – Miss Chipman Emily Chase gave a heart-felt speech on the life of a farm girl and Hannah McGee offered an impressive ballet dance number – to pace the show along.
The evening gown segment followed, as each young lady streamed across the stage in carefully selected dresses and accessories.
After the display of style and taste, the judges were called upon to make their first decision of the night. The contestants were narrowed down to the five top contenders for the crown.
Miss Bon-Ami Sacha Nadeau, Miss Woodstock Caitlin Doucette, Miss Salmon Festival Vanessa Dupere, Miss Grand Falls Veronique Morin and Miss International Hannah McGee were chosen to move on for the final phase of the pageant.
The final five wore a variety of evening gowns.
Poise and beauty aside, the young women were then tested on their public speaking skills and knowledge of current affairs.
The bright-eyed and ever-smiling Sacha Nadeau gave a passionate response when asked how she would describe what she sees to someone who is blind.
"I've always felt I have a gift with words and writing," Nadeau told the judges and crowd.
This gift, she explained, would enable her to offer a detailed description of our world. She added, however, that "it would be difficult because the world is such a beautiful place."
Woodstock's Caitlin Doucette gave an honest answer to her question on how she feels about the use of cellphones and MP3 players in classrooms.
"I know from experience how distracting they can be," laughed Doucette. "It's not a good idea (to have them in class)."
Vanessa Dupere offered an impressive answer demonstrating a keen interest or at least awareness of current affairs. She was asked how the recent changes to the province's ambulance system has effected the delivery of the service.
Dupere gave her answer in French, the only contestant to portray bilingualism in the pageant.
Translated, her response acknowledged both the positive and negative aspects of a greater centralized ambulance service.
While, on one hand, the move gives the province more money to allocate towards other services or resources, said Dupere, on the other hand, it could mean someone who is seriously ill or injured may not receive prompt ambulance transportation to hospital.
Out-going royalty Jenna Culberson gave her farewell speech, followed by a power-point presentation of her year as Miss New Brunswick.
The new queen in town, Vanessa Dupere, said she has big shoes to fill in order to live up to Culberson's active reign around the province.
"I think I'll be pretty busy," laughed Dupere, reflecting on all the travelling that awaits her as Miss New Brunswick 2008.
She is looking forward to meeting new people from all different parts of the province and stepping outside of her comfort zone to assume a leadership role for tomorrow's young women.
More County
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
