Competing at the state level can cost hundreds of dollars before travel, lodging, and clothing. Her family hopes sponsorships can help keep her going.
Sep 11, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Geddy’s.
BAR HARBOR—Just about two years ago, Stella Littlefield saw that the Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor was hosting the Miss Acadia Pageant.
The eight-year-old Bar Harbor girl desperately wanted to be in that pageant, which is part of the Maine Academic Scholarship Pageants (MASP).
“I talked with her mom (my daughter) and she agreed that it would be good for her,” recounts Stella’s grandmother Laura Page.
Stella took the stage, but she didn’t just go up there and participate. She won Miss Acadia Jr Pre-Teen 2025.
That win qualified her to compete for Miss Maine in her age division. At MASP Miss Maine, Stella placed in the top three.
“She caught pageant bug,” Page said. “She competed again at the local MASP pageant and titled as Miss Eastern Maine Pre-Teen, this qualified her to compete again at the MASP Miss Maine pageant.”
MASP is a nonprofit and their campaign—that pageants raise money for—is all about anti-bullying, inclusion, social awareness, and giving back to your community. The pageants also support Crossroads Maine, a nonprofit with a goal of supporting “the physical, social, and mental growth and development of children, youth, teens, and their families.”
“All things that we want our young people be be doing,” Page said.
That service component has impacted Stella who is nine now.
Page said, “Stella has become an active member in the community by volunteering her time to social events and things she believes in.”
It’s a big deal for someone who is only turning ten in October and who just started fourth grade in Conners Emerson. Stella, Justenah (her mom), and her two brothers all live in Bar Harbor.
Stella and Justenah volunteer together and some of Stella’s favorite ways of helping are the Friends of Acadia roadside cleanup, MDI marathon, Cross for LifeFlight of Maine, and Downeast Horizons color run.
“This year Stella won the Journey Rose Award for Kindness and Inspiration. The award is given for displaying leadership, kindness, spirit, and positivity,” Page explained.
Stella wanted to give back to her town and a $100 donation was made in her name to the charity of her choice. Stella choose the Acadia Wildlife Center, which focuses on the rehabilitation and care of wildlife in the Mount Desert Island region.
Stella loves to be onstage and she has gained so many skills competing.
“We feel like it’s important for young ladies to feel confident, important, and to believe in themselves. The skills that Stella has gained from competing is great; she is great at public speaking,” Page said.
She’s often convinced bands playing for the Bar Harbor Fourth of July celebrations to let her speak.
“She is confident, a problem solver, positive and believes in doing the right thing. I could go on and on,” Page said.
The issue is that though pageants are fun and kids like Stella can gain so much, they are very expensive.
“This year her pageant fees to compete for Miss Maine were $646; last year they were $704,” Page said.
That doesn’t include the costs for hotels, travel, gowns (upwards of $250 if you get them used), preliminary fees for local pageants. The girls will normally have about five full outfit changes.
“If Stella could be sponsored, this would help alleviate some of the cost,” Page said.
All donations are considered tax deductible if it is made out to Crossroads MASP.
“Justenah and I think that this is a wonderful thing for Stella. She has grown so much,” Page said. “We feel that it’s important for young girls to feel good about who they are and know they matter. Pageants have done this for Stella.”
All photos courtesy of Laura Page.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
To learn more about how you can help Stella, contact Jennifer Joseph at the number in the image above.
To learn more about MASP, click here.
If you’d like anoter secure way to donate, send me a message and I’ll get you in touch with Laura.
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