ROCKLAND — The Maine Lobster Festival coronation committee has announced the names of the 13 young ladies who will vie for the title of Maine Sea Goddess at the 2016 Festival, Aug. 3-7.

Steeped in tradition and pageantry, this year’s Sea Goddess Coronation will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 3, at 8 p.m. on the Main Stage of the festival grounds. As always, it will be one of the highlights of what this is the 69th annual Maine Lobster Festival, taking place from Wednesday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Aug. 7.

The Sea Goddess Coronation Committee is led by chairwoman Sharon Lombardo, who can be reached at 207-594-4559.

Following are briefs biographies and information about each of this year’s 13 Sea Princesses:

Charlotte Ruth Strong-Ames of Thomaston is a 2016 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of David Ames and Tiffany Strong-Ames. For the first eleven years of her life, Charlotte grew up on Matinicus Island, and began learning the lobster trade from her father at 10 years old. To this day, she has a deep passion for being on the ocean and learning. While attending OHS, she was a member of the cheerleading team, the tennis team, Key Club, National Honor Society, the drama club and Project Graduation. Her hobbies include cheerleading, photography, lobstering, fishing and reading. She is employed as a stern man aboard F/V Lobster Mobsta. Her future plans are to attend Husson University in Bangor, Maine. Charlotte's sponsors are Knight Marine Service of Rockland and MKM Island Lobster Inc. of Matinicus.

Molly Marella Tobin of Owls Head is a 2016 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of James and Jana Tobin. Growing up, she and her mom would go down to the Maine Lobster Festival, eat some fried dough, and cheer on the Sea Princesses on coronation night. She has also been a longtime volunteer at the festival, including being a member of King Neptune's court and painting faces in the Children's Tent. While attending OHS, she was a member of the field hockey team, the swim team, Key Club, Student Government, the theatre program, and STEM. Her hobbies include biking, traveling, hiking, staying involved in the community and spending time with friends and family. She is employed by the Penobscot Bay YMCA. Her future plans are to attend Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont, majoring in biology, and to then go on to dental school. Molly's sponsor is Ship to Shore Lobster Company, LLC.

Justice Hope Barrows of Camden is a 2016 graduate of Medomak Valley High School. She is the daughter of Wayne Barrows. Adopted into a Midcoast Maine family at the age of six years old, Justice grew up with nine siblings and found her passion in playing basketball. At MVHS, she played for the varsity girls' basketball team and was a member of various clubs to put her creativity to work. Her hobbies include playing and coaching basketball, dancing, and spending time with friends and family. Justice is employed at Subway. Her future plans are to study criminal justice and pre-law at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. Her hope is to become a successful lawyer one day. Justice's sponsors are EES Consulting of Camden, Just Friends Hair Design of Rockland, Benner's Marine Transport, and Coastal Builders both of Friendship.

Abigail Paige Lacasse of Rockland is a 2016 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Robert and Suzanne Lacasse. Growing up she and her family looked forward to the Maine Lobster Festival every year, and her favorite event was always the coronation. While attending OHS, Abigail was a member of Student Government, Key Club, Project Graduation, the prom committee, and the varsity lacrosse team. She also performed in the school's musicals and One Act plays. Her hobbies include hiking, playing lacrosse, paddle boarding, and spending time at the beach. Her future plans are to study nutrition and nursing at the University of New Hampshire. Abigail's sponsor is Fuller Chevrolet - GMC, Inc. of Rockland.

Sydney Elizabeth Gustafson of Rockland is a 2016 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Todd and Meghan Gustafson. Sydney considers herself shy and quiet, and didn't dream about being a princess herself... That is, until she watched the Sea Goddess coronation. While attending the Maine Lobster Festival with her mom and her best friend, she watched the Sea Princesses walking across the stage and thought to herself "I'm going to be on that stage someday." At OHS, Sydney was a member of the tennis team, and was involved in tech theatre, and yearbook committee. Her hobbies include playing tennis, reading, writing and spending time with her family and friends. She is employed by T.J. Maxx. Her future plans are to earn a psychology degree at the University of Maine in Farmington. Sydney's sponsor is Computer Solutions of Rockland.

Krisandra McNichol of Rockland is a 2016 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Daniel and Danielle McNichol. Having grown up attending the Maine Lobster Festival every year, Krisandra always felt that the Sea Princesses made the festival particularly special. While attending OHS, she served as the president of the National Honor Society and treasurer of Key Club. She was a member of the field hockey team, basketball team, softball team, math team, Student Government, STEM Committee, All State Band, District III Band, Honors Choir and Yearbook Committee. She served as a Lifeskills peer helper was a student representative on the school board. She also performed in OHS' theatre program in the One Acts and musicals. Her hobbies include playing the piano and various percussion instruments, baking, volunteering and traveling. She is employed by JCPenney. Her future plans are to attend the University of Maine to major in microbiology, then to continue on to medical school. Krisandra's sponsor is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of the MidCoast in Belfast.

Laken Ann Fournier of Spruce Head is a 2016 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Justin and Brenda Fournier. As the daughter of a Maine lobsterman, she has strong ties to Midcoast Maine's unique and vibrant culture. While attending OHS, Laken was involved in Key Club, the theatre program, the cross country team, and the track team. Her hobbies include going on outdoor adventures, running, musical theatre, volunteering, and reading. She is employed by McLoons Lobster Shack. Her future plans are to move to New York City to attend Pace University, and to one day begin a career as a counselor. Laken's sponsors are Bean Maine Lobster, Rheal Day Spa and F/V Morning Star.

Sophie Mariel Hall of Owls Head is a 2016 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Jamie and Kelly Hall. Like many kids in Midcoast Maine, she grew up attending the Maine Lobster Festival each year and dreaming about walking across the Main Stage on coronation night as a Sea Princess. While attending OHS, she was a member of Student Government, Unified Spirit Squad, the theatre program, National Honor Society, the yearbook committee, and CEI Research. Her hobbies include hiking on local trails, gymnastics, attempting to cook (we bet you're great, Sophie!), spending days at the beach (especially Crescent Beach), and spending time with family and friends. She is employed by The Landings Restaurant. Her future plans are to attend Syracuse University to study business, and then to go to law school. Sophie's sponsors are The Landings Restaurant, Waterman's Beach Lobster, and George C. Hall & Sons.

Brianna Marie Pryce Dugan of St. George is a 2016 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Michelle Gamache. She has volunteered at the Maine Lobster Festival ever since she was a little girl, and has always enjoyed the festival's traditions, especially the Sea Goddess pageant. Throughout high school, Brianna was a member of the varsity girls' basketball team, the soccer team, the softball team, the theatre program, and NTHS. Her hobbies include drawing, swimming, fishing, hiking, and hanging out with her friends and family. Her future plans are to join the United States Navy, then to attend college to study nursing. Sophie's sponsors are Glen Cove Dental Associates, P.A. and Mid-Knight Auto.

Adrianna Elaine Ames of North Haven is a 2016 graduate of North Haven Community School. She is the daughter of Charles Williams and the late Marina Ames. The Sea Goddess Pageant is a bit of a tradition in Adrianna's family. Her mother was a Sea Princess in the 1980s, and her grandmother, Elaine Ames-Brown, was crowned Sea Goddess in 1967. Now, it's her turn. In high school, Adrianna served as the president of the Student Council, a member of the rowing team (coxswain), the french club and the basketball team. She was a school ambassador to Gifft School, St John USVI. She has also been a member of the Girl Scouts for thirteen years. Her hobbies include singing, song writing, playing guitar and keyboard, fishing, skiing, traveling, four-wheeling, baking, swimming, and going to the gym. She is employed by Calderwood Hall Restaurant, is a stern person on the F/V Locomotion and mows for JB Land Improvements. Her future plans are to attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee in August 2016 to study music and business. Adrianna's sponsors are Penobscot Island Air of South Thomaston, J.O. Brown & Sons, Inc., J.B. Land Improvements, Inc. both of North Haven, F/V Storm Warning of Owls Head and Best Rate Towing of Rockland.

Michaela Wright of Owls Head is a 2016 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Rick and Carole Wright. Michaela's involvement in the Midcoast Maine community runs deep. She is a member of the Bay Winds North Wind Ensemble and volunteers at Lura Libby School in her free time. She was also named valedictorian of the Class of 2016. During her high school career, Michaela was a member of the field hockey, indoor track, outdoor track, and math teams, and the school's pit band. Her hobbies include playing the piano and flute, reading, and writing. She is employed by Hannaford in Rockland. Her future plans are to study elementary education at the University of Maine at Farmington. Michaela's sponsors are Jess's Market, EBS Building Supplies, Computer Casualties, and Sea Gull Cottage all of Rockland, RE/MAX Jaret & Cohn of Camden, Keag Store in South Thomaston, and the Owls Head General Store.

Peyton Elise Feener of Rockland is a 2013 graduate of the Wayfinder School. She is the daughter of Shawn and Lisa Stanley-Pearse. In high school, her favorite activities were white water rafting and rock climbing. Today, her hobbies include playing the drums, acting and skating. Since graduating from high school, Peyton has been very busy. She is passionate about music and plays the drums in her band, "drive by todd." She skated with the Rock Coast Rollers, Rockland's roller derby league, and is still involved in the league. Peyton is also live on WRFR on Wednesday nights between 5 and 6 p.m., where you will hear her on the radio show "Out! On the air" to raise awareness for the local organization Out! As I Want To Be for LGBTQ youth. She has also acted in and directed several PSAs for local organizations about substance abuse, self-harm, self-image, and sexual education. She is employed by Good Tern Natural Foods Co-op & Cafe, where she juggles two roles as the chocolate/candy buyer and cashier. Her future plans are to become a well-known musician, actor and bartender. Peyton's sponsors are F/V Day Star, Good Tern Co-op, Abundant Health Acupuncture, Sewall's Orchard, Spirit of Sound Records, Patrisha McLean Children's Photography, Swan Restorations, Jodi Cooper's Be Wise Dining Kits, Patricia Stanley, and Robert G. Schneider.

Winona Faye Harvey of Waldoboro is a 2016 homeschool graduate. She is the daughter of Yancey Harvey and Sarah LaPorte. Having grown up in Midcoast Maine, Winona developed a deep love of the community and sees it as an honor to represent Midcoast Maine as a Sea Princess at the Maine Lobster Festival. In high school, she played volleyball and recently served as the captain of South Liberty Baptist Academy's team captain. Her future plans are to attend beauty school at the Capilo Institute in Augusta. She plans to earn her cosmetology license, then work her way towards owning her own salon one day.

The Maine Lobster Festival is five days of entertainment and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine. The Maine Lobster Festival attracts thousands of people to Maine's 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 the local community through support for Midcoast Regional Child Development Services, Trekkers, Meals on Wheels and others. FMI: visit mainelobsterfestival.com, follow them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter at @MELobsterFest.