Merrimack Youth Places 3rd at Hampton Beach Talent Contest

Written by Kyle Stucker, Hampton/North Hampton Patch

Samantha Migneault of Hudson won first place in the senior division of the Hampton Beach Talent Competition Aug. 25 with a performance of Christina Aguilera's "Hurt." 

Migneault, 18, is an Alvirne High School grad planning to attend the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford in the fall. She won a $500 cash prize. 

Second place went to Peg Johnson from Rochester, who sang "At Last," by Etta James. Third place and a cash prize of $200 went to Denise Therrien from Manchester, who performed Nat King Cole's "Orange Colored Sky."

In the Junior Division, first place went to 12-year old Liam Swift from Portland, ME, who sang, "When I Was Your Man," by Bruno Mars. Second place went to Kaihla Laurent from Chicopee, MA. Third place winner was 10-year old Kayleigh MacFarland from Merrimack, who performed, "Part of Your World" from "The Little Mermaid."

The competitors performed first in the semi-finals, which were held on Friday night, August 23 for the Junior Division and Saturday, August 24 for the Senior Division. The winners then went to the Finals. 

The judges were Cathy Pepin, former clerk of Hampton Beach Village District, Hampton Beach Precinct Commissioner Maureen Buckley, Julie Leonard from the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce and special "celebrity" judge, Mike Livingston from the group the Continentals, who are well-known regular performers at the Hampton Beach Sea Shell Stage. 

"Contestants are judged not only on their vocal ability, but also on their stage presence, audience response and overall entertainment value," said Glen French, competition organizer and show host. 

The Finals show, which was sponsored by the Hampton Beach Village District, started at 7 p.m. on the Seashell Stage at Hampton Beach State Park and featured two dozen competitors. It wrapped up at 10 p.m. 

For more information, visit www.hamptonbeach.org or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HamptonNHBeach for photos and videos of the winning performers.