SEABROOK — Nearly a dozen girls danced, sang–, and strutted their stuff Friday in the Jr. Miss Seabrook beauty pageant, with Sydney Morris claiming the crown for 2010.
"It feels really nice (to win)," said Sydney, 12, of Seabrook. "I think we all should have won. Everyone did a great job."
The competition was held in the community center and drew a total of 11 contestants, ages 7 through 12, as well as dozens of family members, friends and Seabrook locals.
Stephanie Lussier, one of the three judges, said this is one of her favorite competitions to judge because of the age group.
"I like this one because the kids are real, they like to have fun, and this really brings the community together," said Lussier, who runs the beauty pageants for Hampton Beach.
"This is a very natural competition," said Bonnie Davidson of Amesbury, who also judged the pageant. "We tell them not to spend money. We do not judge on dresses, but how (the girls) carry themselves."
The competition began with a talent/hobby portion, in which the girls jump roped, sang and shared family recipes. Breanna Jaden Butland's dance to "Barbie Goes to the Club" was quite a crowd pleaser. At the beginning of the number she popped out of a life-size Barbie box, dressed in a full Barbie ensemble.
What followed was the evening gown portion, where the girls showed off their fancy dresses, some flashy while others were elegant. Then, the girls walked down the runway a second time and were showered with bouquets of flowers from their family and friends.
After a brief intermission, Taylor Eaton, Breanna Jaden Butland and Sydney Morris were selected as the three finalists, and asked to answer a single question: "What's your favorite holiday, and why?"
"Thanksgiving," Taylor said. "Because my family can just sit and have a long talk."
"Easter," Breanna said with a smile. "Because you get a lot of candy and sometimes money."
"Christmas," Sydney said. "Not only because of the gifts but because we have a good celebration where my family gets together and has a lot of fun."
Following the question and answer period, the Little, Miss and Jr. Miss Seabrook winners for 2009 took their final walks while the judges' final scores were being tallied. Then, the results were announced: The title of second runner-up went to Taylor, first runner-up was Breanna, and Sydney was crowned the winner.
Although winners were selected, family members and friends of the pageant contestants said the competition was about supporting the girls and having a fun time.
"My daughter and whole family have been in (the pageant)," said Ella Brown, who went to support her granddaughter Serena Lee Brown. "(The girls) all have fun doing it and there's no fighting."
"I'm just really proud of her," said Kelli Morris, mother of Sydney. "She is really shy and I never asked her to do it. It must have taken a lot of confidence."
Contestants were: Serena Lee Brown, Nickole Ross, Taylor Eaton, Abbigayle D. Fowler, Kaelea Houben, Breanna Jaden Butland, Pryce Victoria Felch, Megan Smith, Madison Fowler, Sydney Morris, Harlee Ann Palmer.
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