Houlton lauds Miss Maine in national pageant send-off

HOULTON – Pageantry, flair and glamour are not often present at Town Council meetings, but all were on hand Monday evening as panelists lauded a Houlton woman who will be competing for the title of Miss America next month.

Megan Beals, 21, who was crowned Miss Maine in June, was on hand with her family and her crown as councilors proclaimed Jan. 21, 2006, “Megan Beals Day.” Beals will compete for the Miss America crown that evening in Las Vegas.

Beals is a recent graduate of Northern Maine Community College and is the spokesperson for the Central Aroostook Mentoring Program. Her platform is titled, “Mentoring to Empower Tomorrow’s Leaders.” As Miss Maine, Beals officially has worked with the Maine Mentoring Partnership

“It has always been a dream of mine to compete for the title of Miss America,” Beals told councilors. “I am honored and privileged … to be representing our community and state as I work to become the first Miss America from the state of Maine.”

Councilors led the audience in giving Beals a standing ovation, and all offered the 21-year-old the best of luck as she competes in the coming pageant.

“If you don’t come back with a crown, there is something wrong with them,” proclaimed Councilor Phil Bernaiche.

“We could not have a better representative,” added Chairman Paul Romanelli.

The pageant will air live from Las Vegas on CMT beginning at 8 p.m.