The Maine Lobster Festival is pleased to announce the five candidates who will compete for the title of 2025 Maine Lobster Festival Delegate at the 78th Maine Lobster Festival.

At the Delegate Banquet, Wednesday, July 23 at the Samoset Resort, participants will each have a turn to present to the panel of judges about who they are, why they are participating, and discuss the local charity their participation is supporting. This event is open to the public and tickets can be purchased for $50, and include a full meal. There will be a cash bar.

The coronation will be held Wednesday, July 30 at 6:30 pm on the main stage on the Festival grounds at Harbor Park in Rockland, Maine. Also crowned will be a Runner-Up and Most Congenial.

Kayla Baines is a 2025 graduate of Oceanside High School, where she graduated summa cum laude. Kayla was a student leader throughout her time at Oceanside, serving as a Student Government class officer all four years, head Boosters Ambassador, Chief Editor of the yearbook, an active member of Model UN, and participated in multiple other clubs and initiatives including Spirit Week Committee, School Improvement Committee, Key Club, and the Liberal Arts Academy. Kayla was also a member of the National Honor Society, and was named a top six Elks Scholar.

In the fall, Kayla will attend the University of Maine, where she plans to study nursing and human nutrition while playing on the lacrosse team. Her long-term goal is to become a pediatric nurse.

Giving back is a core part of who Kayla is—shaped by the support she’s received from her own community and her deep family roots in Maine’s lobstering industry. With generations of lobstermen in her family, she is passionate about preserving and advocating for Maine’s working waterfront. As a delegate, Kayla hopes to raise awareness and speak out on behalf of coastal families who work hard every day to sustain their livelihoods and traditions.

Nataleigh Corbett is a rising senior at Oceanside High School and a proud resident of Cushing. She lives with her parents, Jim and Jennifer Corbett, and her younger brother. Her family owns and operates Corbett Concrete, a multigenerational business. Nataleigh currently works at Little Learners Childcare in South Thomaston and also provides babysitting for families in her community.

Nataleigh has been involved with Oceanside Little League for several years, coaching both T-ball and minor league teams. Her focus is on helping young athletes build confidence, enjoy the game, and grow in a positive, supportive environment.

With a strong interest in healthcare, Nataleigh is pursuing a future in nursing. She began her journey through the medical science program at Mid-Coast School of Technology and will continue this year in the CNA program. She was recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.

Since 2017, Nataleigh has also been involved with the Maine Lobster Festival, serving as a member of the King’s Court and helping her family organize the community float for the children’s parade. Inspired by her cousin’s experience as a Sea Goddess candidate, she’s honored to now be part of this long-standing tradition and excited about the opportunities ahead.

Rebecca Spearing is a rising senior at Oceanside High School and a lifelong resident of Owls Head. During her time at OHS, she has been actively involved in several clubs and leadership roles. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club and has represented her school as a student leader throughout her high school years.

Rebecca has already been accepted to the University of Maine at Orono, where she plans to study early childhood education. Her long-term goal is to work in a Montessori school, helping young children reach their full potential in nurturing, student-centered classrooms.

Deeply connected to Maine’s coastal heritage, Rebecca comes from a lobstering family. Her grandfather began fishing in his twenties and passed the tradition on to her father and brothers. One of her favorite memories is getting her student lobstering license on her eighth birthday. She hopes to use her voice to advocate for the lobstering industry and raise awareness about the environmental and regulatory pressures facing Midcoast fishing families. Rebecca is proud to represent the traditions, families, and future of Maine.

Riley Whitman is a 2025 graduate of Camden Hills Regional High School and a Rockland native.

During her senior year, Riley joined Camden Hills Companions, a club focused on building meaningful inclusion for students with special needs. Through that experience, she volunteered at a Special Olympics track meet. Inspired by the athletes and the mission, Riley chose the Special Olympics as her focus organization to support and raise awareness for.

This fall, she will attend the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston, where she will pursue her doctorate in pharmacy. Riley is passionate about helping others and is excited to continue her education in the health sciences, with the goal of making a difference in the lives of others through both her career and community involvement.

Trishelle Ames is a 2023 graduate of Medomak Valley High School and a proud resident of Warren, Maine. The oldest of four siblings, she is the daughter of Robert and Heather Ames. While at Medomak Valley, Trishelle served as class president during both her junior and senior years. She was also a dedicated manager for the boys’ basketball team for four years and the boys’ soccer team for one season. Her high school years were filled with leadership and service, including participation in Girl Scouts—earning lifetime membership after 12 years—and involvement with the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute.

Trishelle is currently a student at the University of Maine at Orono, where she is studying Business Administration with a concentration in Management. She recently joined a sorority and actively contributes to fundraisers and service work. After completing her degree, she hopes to pursue medical sonography and eventually lead her own business, with aspirations of becoming a CEO.

Her chosen organization is Special Olympics Inc.—a cause deeply personal to her. Two of her younger brothers are involved with the program, and through their experiences, Trishelle has witnessed the confidence, growth, and joy that the Special Olympics brings to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Industry Day

The Delegate candidates participated in an industry day aboard the FV Bug Catcha for a hands-on look at Maine’s lobster industry. Learn more.

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. The 2025 Festival will be held July 30-Aug. 3 and will celebrate its 78th anniversary. Once again, admission will be free. For more information about the Maine Lobster Festival, visit the website at www.mainelobsterfestival.com, “like” it on Facebook, follow it on X (formerly Twitter) at @MELobsterFest, and on Instagram at @mainelobsterfest.