By Robert Lowell
Reporter - American Journal
GORHAM (Dec 3): Gorham can claim its second consecutive Miss Maine Teen USA.
Jordan Shiers, 16, will represent Maine in the national Miss Teen USA pageant next summer. She won the title Nov. 22, and succeeds Avery Barr, also of Gorham.
Shiers, a Gorham High School junior, is readying for appearances beginning Friday with a parade in Freeport. She will also be on hand for Gorham’s New Year's celebration.
“Right now I’m just focusing on appearances and having fun,” Shiers said Monday, adding there would be time to train for the national pageant.
Shiers is the daughter of Darren and Lisa Shiers.
“I’m her secretary,” her mom said with a smile Monday, as she reeled off upcoming events.
Shiers won the Miss Maine Teen USA title at a pageant at the Eastland Park Hotel in Portland, besting 30 other competitors.
“Oh, I was ecstatic,” her mom said. “We were both balling.”
In the excitement, Jordan first thought another had won. But, Jordan immediately received the crown, sash and flowers. “Oh my goodness, everything happened so fast,” Shiers said.
“My face was red and my makeup smeared,” Shiers said.
Jordan’s grandmother, Connie Shiers of Gorham, said pageant competition included evening gown, swimsuit and interview. “She looked beautiful,” she said.
Barr, last year's winner, said Shiers, "said it was one of the best years of her life,” Jordan Shiers said.
The two Gorham winners share many similarities. Each was 16 and a junior at Gorham High School when they won; both work at Mr. Bagel in Gorham; both have a brother and two sisters; and both were coached by Gorham’s Randi Preis, Mrs. Maine 2000, then of Westbrook.
Preis said many contestants and coaches think a girl needs to have the right look and spend time on choices of gowns and swimsuits, hair and makeup. But, Preis said, while those are necessary, she believes the edge is in the interview, 33 percent of their score.
“So I worked mostly on interview with Jordan. I'd estimate that we spent about 60 hours on interview alone with her since August,” Preis said.
An honor roll student, Shiers is a cheerleader and a member of Elite All Stars Cheerleaders in Westbrook. Preis described Shiers as intelligent, motivated, charming, and disciplined.
Shiers is planning on college and becoming a child therapist. “With all of her upcoming opportunities, she'll grow into a poised, confident young woman that will undoubtedly excel at anything she chooses to do in life,” Preis said.
“She's a gem. It was a pleasure to help her get to this point in her life - this coming year will be life changing for her,” Preis said.
2009 already. Wow, time flies when you are having a blast. Speaking of having a blast, Special Olympics Maine has kicked off 2009 with a record breaking event. The 21st annual Lobster Dip brought in over $50,000 and over 300 dippers. What an awesome way to start off the New Year. Especially considering the economy right now. It's pretty scary. We are looking at making so many changes this year to cut costs in order to still be able to provide awesome programs for our athletes. It's going to be a tough year and we appreciate all of the help from everyone who participated in this years dip and from everyone who is currently planning to donate or volunteer for Special Olympics Maine.