GOLDEN HILL – Facing stiff competition in a field of nine girls, 17 year-old Jordan LeCompte danced her way into the title of Miss Outdoors for 2018 on Friday night, in the opening pageant of this year’s National Outdoor Show.

Jordan displayed style and beauty in the casual wear and evening gown competitions, as did the rest of the girls. But in the talent competition she performed a standout tap dance routine that showed her imagination, choreography skills and sense of humor.

Aided by her sister Jenna, she channeled Shirley Temple and danced to a number of popular tunes, dashing behind a screen on stage and effecting a quick-change of costume, with clothing thrown out across the stage and Jenna peeking out from behind the screen. It was a very cute and funny routine, and we expect that’s what put her over the top.

Jordan was not the winner of the talent completion though. That honor went to Katherine Bradshaw, who exploded onto the stage with an awe-inspiring rendition of Adele’s “Rolling In the Deep.” Katherine showed she has immense talent with her singing, and set the bar quite high for the other girls planning a tune. Katherine won the first runner-up title, and Alexandria Wallace-Elliott was named second runner-up.

2017 Miss Outdoors Katelyn Robinson was on hand in her last official appearance as Miss Outdoors. Katelyn is a pre-school teacher at Maple Elementary in Cambridge, and seemed a little sad to be giving up her crown, but also excited for the night’s competition and the fun year she had.

“I always wanted to be Miss Outdoors, and this surpassed all of my expectations,” said Katelyn. “It was great!”

Katelyn last ran for the title in 2014, the year Lauren Cameron won. “Each year, I would look back at my sister’s pictures from the year she won (2011, Amanda Robinson) and think that maybe I should run again. I just never did, until this last year when one of my students talked me into it.”

She talked about all the various events she attended as Miss Outdoors. “It was a lot of the things I typically do, but I got a different perspective by being Miss Outdoors. Louisiana was a lot of fun – air boat rides, Mardi Gras museum, I got to be a judge for a gumbo cookoff—that was one of the best memories. There were like 30 gumbos to try, they said ‘Just take a bite of each…’ and I’m eating like a half a bowl of each! I was so full…”

Katelyn gave her farewell address like all of the exiting queens must, right before the crowning of Miss Outdoors for the coming year.

Jordan is the daughter of Missy and Jody LeCompte of Cambridge. She is a senior at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School and enrolled in the cosmetology program at the Dorchester Career and Technology Center. She is a member of the National Technical Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Interact Club and the United State Bowling Congress. Her interests include bowling, art and karaoke, and has danced for the Eastern Shore Dance Academy.

The pageant evening was dedicated to the memory of Alan Ruark, known and loved by all as “Mr. Hoopers Island.” Saturday night’s event was dedicated to the memory of Dana Trahan, of Cameron, Louisiana.

Please see next week’s Dorchester Banner for further coverage of the 2018 National Outdoor Show, including a full list of contest winners and more photos.