ORONO – University of Maine student Katee June Stearns, 19, has a new star in her crown. She earned the title of Miss Maine USA 2006 on Nov. 27 at the Sheraton Hotel in Portland.

In 2004, she was the reigning Maine Junior Miss, a scholarship-pageant program.

Stearns was one of 56 contestants in the Miss Maine USA and Miss Maine Teen USA pageants.

Not since 1977 has a contestant from Maine made the top 15 nationally in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant will be televised on April 21 from Baltimore.

Stearns is originally

from Hampden and a 2004 graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor. She is a full-time student at the University of Maine where she studies kinesiology and dance.

She is a peer tutor at UM and assistant cheering coach at James Doughty School in Bangor. She also is the coach and choreographer for the all-star dance-cheer team at Classic Cheering. She is the daughter of Karen Stearns of Belfast and Bruce Stearns of Naples, Fla.

Stearns also has participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the Relay for Life.

She is seeking sponsors to aid her trip to Baltimore for the Miss USA pageant. As Miss Maine USA, she is available for guest appearances, speaking engagements and promotional appearances.

For information, call 659-2191.