LITTLE CURRENT—Last Thursday night Katie Harper of Little Current was crowned the 2014 Miss Manitoulin at the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre after an evening of tight competition from five other young Island women.
“It was really hard to choose a winner,” said pageant judge Kristin Luoma.
“They were all wonderful,” added fellow judge Lion Ruth Ann Bastert.
The six contestants were from across the Island and each showcased their unique personalities and talents. The contestants included 15-year-old Robin Lentir of Gore Bay, 16-year-old Nekiiyaa Noakes of M’Chigeeng First Nation, 14-year-old Nikita Bond of Sheguiandah, 18-year-old Kayla McFarlane of Providence Bay, 16-year-old Katie Harper of Little Current and 16-year-old Katrina Manitowabi of Wikwemikong.
The evening began with opening remarks from the pageant’s master of ceremonies Kelly Timmermans of 100.7 The Island. After introducing the contestants, each girl sported looks from various Island clothing stores, strutting their stuff on the runway during the fashion show.
The talent portion of the evening was impressive, with each of the girls sharing their passions and talent with the crowd. Robin read a poem about her grandmother, Nekiiyaa performed a jingle dress dance, Nikita shared a slideshow about her love of horses, Kayla read an essay she wrote on same-sex marriage, Katie belted out a Michael Buble song and Katrina performed a hand-drum song.
The pageant also included an evening dress presentation and speech component with the contestants sharing why they were proud to be from Manitoulin and why they wanted to be crowned Miss Manitoulin 2014.
“It was a really close competition,” said Miss Manitoulin committee member Robin Burridge. “When I was helping tabulate the judging scores, the girls all had a few points between them. They all did so well and were just really beautiful girls inside and out.”
Despite the scores being close, there could only be one Miss Manitoulin and Katie captured that title. The first runner up, winner of the Miss Congeniality award (selected by the contestants) and the winner of the Haweater Pride award (for the top speech score) was Kayla, while the second runner up title when to Nekiiyaa.
“I was so honoured to be crowned Miss Manitoulin,” commented Katie following the pageant. “I really wanted to win, but I didn’t think I would because it was my first pageant and I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was a lot of fun though and I am comfortable on stage which I think helped.”
Throughout Haweater Weekend, Katie attended various events from the opening ceremonies to the cardboard boat race and the parade (riding in Gary Trimmer’s red convertible).
“It was a great weekend,” said Katie. “I felt very proud to be an ambassador for Haweater and for Manitoulin. A lot of people stopped to have their photo taken with me or ask about the events—it was very humbling.”
Katie is going into Grade 11 at Sudbury Secondary School where she is in the arts education program. She recently starred in her school’s performance of Legally Blonde and is well on her way towards a career on Broadway.
Katie spends her school year living in Sudbury, but returns home on the weekends and in the summer to visit with family.
She was sponsored by Loco Beanz for the pageant which is where the vibrant Islander is employed for the summer.
One of the best moments since Katie has been crowned, she explained, was during the parade.
“As I was riding in the parade, little girls were pointing and calling me a princess,” laughed Katie. “It was so adorable.”
Though her last few days as the reigning Miss Manitoulin was a whirlwind for Katie, she has already begun to think about what causes she hopes to raise awareness for during her year.
“I really want to help raise awareness about teenage mental health as well as bullying,” shared Katie. “I would like to organize a talent show at my school (Sudbury Secondary School) to help raise funds for one or both of these causes.”
Katie will be attending Manitoulin Country Fest this upcoming weekend (thanks to a free pass as part of her amazing prize package), but she will also be available to attend various other Island festivals, events and fundraisers throughout her reign.
If you would like Miss Manitoulin 2014 to attend your event, please email missmanitoulin@manitoulin.ca for more information.
The entire pageant would not have been possible without the overwhelming support from various Island businesses and individuals that sponsored contestants, donated prizes, participated in the fashion show or assisted in other ways.
These amazing businesses include The Manitoulin Expositor, The Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre, The Little Current Lions Club, Loco Beanz, Green Acres Restaurant and Campground, Dreamer’s Cove, Island Foodland, Rob Dearing and Sons Contracting, The Co-Operators, Manitoulin Chocolate Works, 100.7 The Island, 3 Cows and a Cone, Cliff Jewell, The Hawberry Florist, The Island Jar, The Rain Barrel, My Ol’ Blues, Polished, KD Designs, Hair and Nails 2000, April Aelick, The Kuku Hut, Cindy’s Clothesline, Boarderline, Manitoulin Soap Factory and Julie Rochefort.
Thank you to all the contestants and congratulations Katie!
