The Maine Lobster Festival said 13 women will be competing for the title of Maine Sea Goddess at the 71st Maine Lobster Festival. This year’s Maine Sea Goddess Coronation will take place on August 1 at 8 p.m. The contestants include:

Erin Nicole Dugan, of Thomaston, is a 2018 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Michelle Gamache. In high school her activities included student government, Key Club, yearbook committee, school newspaper, School Safety Committee, Civil Rights Team, National Honor Society, life skills aid, three varsity sports, and theatre. Erin’s hobbies include hanging out with friends and family, playing field hockey, being active, serving her community, and hunting for sea glass. She is employed at The First Bank. Her future plans are to attend the University of Southern Maine to major in business management. Erin's sponsors are Mid-Knight Auto and Jess's Seafood of Rockland, Glen Cove Dental of Rockport, and Brooks Trap Mill of Thomaston.

Gilleyanne Davis-Oakes, of Vinalhaven, is a 2018 graduate of Vinalhaven High School where she was valedictorian. She attends the University of Maine at Augusta and Husson University. She is the daughter of Wanda Davis-Oakes and Colby Oakes. In high school, her activities included varsity soccer, basketball and softball as captain, student leadership team, math team, prom committee, and National Honor Society. Gilleyanne has been the recipient of travel scholarships that have allowed her to visit many countries. Her hobbies include tutoring youth in her community and coaching little league softball. She also enjoys running, sewing, figure skating, and art. Gilleyanne is employed as a Sternman on the F/V Triple X and waitresses at SALT. Her future plans are to attend Bates College for economics and pre-med, play basketball, and travel abroad. She would like to own a gym or be a surgeon. Gilleyanne's sponsors are Calm Seas Therapeutic Massage, Kaleb Dyer F/V Determination, F/V Headache, F/V Six Grand and F/V Triple X of Vinalhaven, Penobscot Island Air of So. Thomaston, and Art's Marine Service, Inc. of Owls Head.

Kaydin Olivia Frederick is a 2017 graduate of Oceanside High School and attends Husson University. She is the daughter of Torey and Mathew Whitman, of Thomaston, and Keith and Sabrina Frederick, of Naperville, Illinois. Kaydin has been a member of Trekkers since seventh grade. Her hobbies are Trekkers, skiing, studying and travelling. Kaydin is employed at the YMCA summer program. Her future plans are to attend the University of Maine at Orono for nursing and become a nurse practitioner. Kaydin's sponsor is Shepard Motors of Rockland.

Jordan Lee Brackett is a 2018 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Mark and Sherry Brackett, of Owls Head. In high school her activities included National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, student government, High School Aspirations, soccer, softball, basketball, Unified Basketball, and Sherri's School of Dance. Jordan’s hobbies are dancing, working out, sports, and traveling. She is employed at Windward Gardens in Camden and the Samoset Resort in Rockport. Jordan's future plans are to attend the University of Maine at Augusta to major in nursing. Jordan's sponsors are Mainely Lobster & Seafood of Owls Head and Cafe Miranda of Rockland.

Lauryn Eva Arsenault is a 2018 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Scot and Carol Arsenault, of Thomaston. In high school her activities included yearbook, track and field, soccer, tennis, and theatre. Her hobbies are running, baking, camping, going to the beach, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Lauryn's future plans are to attend Saint Joseph's College of Maine to study social work. Lauryn’s sponsors are Penobscot Electric of Rockland, Rock Coast Plumbing & Heating of Thomaston, and Clark Island Builders of Spruce Head.

Molly Rizkalla Davis is a 2018 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Karen M. Rizkalla and Steven S. Davis, of Rockland. In high school her activities included Key Club, tennis, indoor track, cross country, yearbook, newspaper, student government, Liberal Arts Academy, and National Honor Society. Molly’s hobbies are playing tennis, volunteering, painting, skiing, and hanging out with friends. She is employed at the Farnsworth Art Museum.  Molly's future plans are to attend Wheaton College in Massachusetts to pursue a degree in business management and art. Molly's sponsors are St. George Realty and George's Barber Shop in St. George.

Casey Jo Pine is a 2018 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Stephen and Cathy Pine of Owls Head. In high school her activities included varsity soccer, varsity softball, fall musical, Unified Basketball, One Acts, and National Honor Society. Her hobbies are volunteering at Oceanside sports camps, traveling with her family, skiing, fishing, dirt biking, hiking and shopping. Casey is employed at Miller's Lobster Company. Her future plans are to attend the University of Maine to study business management. Casey's sponsor is York's Marine, of Rockland.

Julia Elizabeth Kurr is a 2018 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Dede Grant, of Spruce Head, and James Kurr, of Camden. In high school her activities included Trekkers, Trekkers Leadership, EMT, CNA, softball, and field hockey. Her hobbies are traveling, swimming, animals, children, sports, attending sporting events, and volunteering. Julia is employed by Rock Harbor Pub and Brewery. Her future plans are to attend Southern Maine Community College for two years, then transfer to a University to study medicine. Julia's sponsors are F/V Squall of Spruce Head and Kurrz Electric of Warren.

Lauren Elizabeth Miller is a 2018 graduate of Camden Hills Regional High School. She is the daughter of David and Christine Miller, of St. George. In high school her activities included varsity soccer, varsity basketball, varsity softball, yearbook, wellness team, National Technical Honor Society, and chorus. Her hobbies are basketball, soccer, softball, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Lauren is employed by Luke's Lobster. Her future plans are to attend the University of Southern Maine to study nursing and play basketball. Lauren's sponsors are JD Miller Construction of St. George and Beaver Enterprises of Thomaston.

Kiara Mae Robinson is a 2018 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Denita McWillams, of Owls Head, and Ernest Robinson, of Thomaston. In high school her activities included cheerleading and softball. Kiara’s hobbies are coaching cheerleading, walking, babysitting, and sports. Her future plans are to go to cosmetology school. Kiara's sponsors are George C. Hall and Sons and Hills Seafood of Rockland.

Amelia Elizabeth Campbell is a 2018 graduate of West Cartenet High School. She is the daughter of Andrea Little and Richard Campbell, of Thomaston. In high school her activities included Key Club and beach volleyball. Her hobbies are painting, photography, and beach volleyball. She is employed by Fiore in Rockland. Amelia’s future plans are to attend Johnson and Wales University to major in graphic design. Amelia's sponsors are Dream Local Digital and Knight Marine Service of Rockland. 

Taylor Hamlin is a 2018 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of David and Cindi Hamlin, of South Thomaston. In high school her activities included Key Club, theatre, STEM program, sports, National Honor Society, and Civil Rights. Her hobbies are working out, playing field hockey and lacrosse, spending time with friends, spending time at the beach, volunteering at the hospital, and chasing sunsets. She is employed at Country Keepers. Taylor’s future plans are to attend the University of Maine at Orono, then fashion school, and then open a store with her own designs. Taylor's sponsors are Hamlin's of South Thomaston and Raye Insurance of Rockland.

Aubrey Kay Anderson is a 2018 graduate of the Robinson School. She is the daughter of Katie Crandall, of St. George, and Brad Anderson, of Rockland. In high school her activities included National Honor Society, varsity lacrosse, track and field, basketball, indoor soccer and math team. Her hobby is competitive ballroom dancing. Aubrey is employed at Luke’s Seafood in Tenants Harbor. Her future plans are to attend the University of Massachusetts at Boston to major in mathematics. Aubrey’s sponsor is Tenants Harbor Fisherman’s Co-op of Tenants Harbor.

Judges

Megan Brackett grew up in the Midcoast area, is a graduate of Camden Hills Regional High School, will soon be a graduate of the Bachelor of Finance and Accounting program at Southern New Hampshire University, and is a graduate of the Mid-Coast Leadership Academy. She is currently the Finance Director for the Town of Rockport and is actively involved in other civil activities. Megan has strong ties to the Maine Lobster Festival, lending a helping hand where needed on the festival grounds as a teenager. She is also the proud mother of a very active 3-year-old boy, and the proud stepmother of an intelligent and kind 11-year old girl. Megan and her family enjoy spending time at local attractions and going to their family camp on Moosehead Lake. She admires these young ladies for participating in the coronation and wishes them all the best of luck with their future endeavors.

Kim Leidenroth-Day, of Warren, is a native of Rockland and a graduate of Rockland District High School. Prior to getting her degree as a dental hygienist at Westbrook College in Portland, she attended and worked at the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. During her career as a dental hygienist, she instructed students about dental health education in the elementary schools, and taught CPR/First Aid in her community through the American Red Cross. Kim also managed a dental practice and was owner and past president at Tomhegan Wilderness Resort on Moosehead Lake in Rockwood, Maine. She is also a member of the Maine Dental Hygienists’ Association.  Kim is an active member of the Warren Baptist Church, currently serving on the Board of Deacons and is involved in the Prayer Shawl Ministry which she started at the church. Her joy is spending time with her husband, children, family, and friends. Kim’s hobbies are working on her farm, knitting, yoga, walking and hiking.

Joanne Kinney Kenney, a native of St. George, resides in Rockland. She is happily married to lobsterman Gary Kenney. Joanne has one daughter and son-in-law who live in South Thomaston, and four step-children and their families who live in the Jonesport and East Machias area. A 1967 graduate of Georges Valley High School, she attended Husson University and graduated from the University of Maine Augusta, with a bachelor’s degree in business management and accounting. Joanne is currently employed as the office manager at Park Street Laundry and Dry Cleaners. She was previously employed as the purchasing manager at Marine Colloids/FMC, now Dupont, and at Coastal Community Action Program. Joanne is a past director of the Maine Lobster Festival, a past Maine Sea Goddess (1968), and a past president of the Rockland Jaycee Women.

Daniel M. McNichol is a Maine native and has lived in Rockland since 1991. He and his wife have been married since 1998 and have raised two daughters. Daniel is retired from the US Coast Guard with 21 years of active-duty service. He is currently employed by the Maine State Ferry Service as the Port Captain and has worked for the MSFS since his USCG retirement in 2001. He has been active with youth sports, coaching his two daughters and dozens of other local girls in youth soccer, little league softball, and youth and middle school basketball. Daniel has been the Rockland and Oceanside Middle School girls Basketball coach for the past nine years. He was the assistant softball coach at Great Salt Bay in Damariscotta for 2 years. Daniel was a member of the Oceanside Little League board for 10 years, and is currently an elected member of the Rockland Port District.

Dawn Witham, of Thomaston, is the mother of three children, Benjamin, Jake, and Haylie. Her daughter, Haylie, was crowned the 2017 Maine Sea Goddess. Dawn graduated with an associate’s degree at Maine Medical Center, School of Surgical Technology at the top of her class. She then attended University of Maine and studied Dental Hygiene. Dawn enjoyed working in Portland for 17 years as surgical assistant for Oral Surgeon Russell Collett. Her most memorable time of life was working in Boca Grande, Florida, in-between her college years. That's where she met her husband, Troy, of 20 years. Dawn enjoys fishing, searching for sea glass, kayaking, and crafting. She has found her true calling as an artist with painting. Dawn’s summers are spent on Large Green Island with friends and family. She is honored to be a judge and looks forward to meeting the Maine Sea Goddess of 2018. 

Crown Bearer

Bella Knight, age six, is the daughter of Sy and Alexandra Knight, of Owls Head. She just finished kindergarten at Guilford Butler School where she developed a love for reading, writing and math. This past year she enjoyed participating in tennis, swimming, dance and T-ball. Bella's hobbies include making crafts, playing games, looking for sea glass and spending time with family and friends. She has a younger sister, Summer, and an older brother, Christopher. Bella comes from a family with strong ties to the lobster industry, as her grandparents, Terry and Elizabeth Watkinson, own a busy lobster fishing wharf, Owls Lobster Company, where her mom is also employed. Bella's nana, Alice Knight, has been involved with the Maine Lobster Festival since its inception and has served as a director of the festival since 1971. Bella will continue in her family's footsteps, making her a 3rd generation volunteer. 

Emcee

Dan Bookham lives in Rockland with his wife Jessie, daughter Scout, and their two dogs. Dan serves as Vice President for Business Development and as a commercial lines producer at Allen Insurance and Financial, where he also has the honor of serving on the Board of Directors.

Born, raised and educated in Britain, Dan moved to Maine in 1995, spent the past 23 years in the Pine Tree State, and the last 14 years in Rockland. He was the executive director of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce January 2009 to September 2012 and was named Maine Chamber Executive of the Year in 2011. In the community, Dan serves as chair of the Board of Trustees of the LifeFlight of Maine Foundation. He also serves on the board of the Maine Development Foundation, Camden Classics Cup Regatta, on the Youthlinks Advisory Group, and as a member of America's Edge, a nationwide organization advocating for investment in early childhood development and education.

About the Maine Lobster Festival

Five days of fun and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine, the Maine Lobster Festival attracts thousands of people to the Midcoast region and has a long tradition of giving back to the local community. In recent years, the festival committee has given more than $500,000 to Midcoast Regional Child Development Services, Trekkers, Meals on Wheels, and many other organizations. The 2018 Festival will be held August 1-5.

 For more information about the Maine Lobster Festival, visit mainelobsterfestival.com and “like” them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter at @MELobsterFest.