Local Spotlight: Livie Dunbar

In just a few weeks, Livie Dunbar will be representing her hometown of Biddeford in the United States of America Miss Teen Maine pageant in Augusta. 

Livie, 14, is a freshman at Biddeford High School and she has been involved with competitive dance since she was a toddler.

But despite all the glitz, glamor and even the tiara, there is a very serious side to the pageant for Livie. Each of the contestants from around the state has to choose a platform – a topic that they care about passionately.

Livie’s platform topic will be focused on raising awareness regarding teen suicide prevention, a rather dark topic that hits home for her.

“I really want to spread awareness about teenage suicide, mental health and school bullying,” Livie said during a recent interview. “I picked this platform because this subject holds a place dear to my heart.”

Livie said she has experienced deep depression and has also been a victim of bullying.

Livie’s mother, Lisa Gagnon of Biddeford, said she is very proud of her daughter, and hope the pageant can help Livie continue her healing journey.

“Being a teen today is so much different than when you and I were kids,” Gagnon explains. “The pressure and manipulation of social media, cell phones usage and peer pressure all combines to make life incredibly challenging for today’s kids.”

Livie said that she wants to create an open forum where teens can vent in judgment free zone.

According to the National Institutes of Health, adolescent depression and suicidal behaviors have increased considerably over the last two decades.  In the United States, depression diagnoses among youth have increased 47.5 percent since 2000.

 Contained in a report for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one suggested cause for this rise in adolescent depression and suicide is the advent of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, You Tube and Tik Tok.

Earlier this year, Congress held hearings in which social media companies were questioned about their influence on teens and young adults.

Both Livie and her mother say that social media often becomes overwhelming for young people. Gagnon says she keeps strict control of how much time Livie is allowed to spend on social media.

According to the NIH report, more than 95 percent of teens in the United States have multiple social media accounts. Health care providers and mental health workers have expressed concerns about the influence of social media and its potential to adversely impact young Americans because of “decreased face-to-face interpersonal interactions,” addiction-like behaviors and online bullying.

At next month’s statewide pageant in Augusta, judges will interview Livie and each of the other contestants about their platform. That interview will make up 50 percent of each contestant’s score.

Contestants will also be judged on poise, evening gown competition and performance.

According to their website, the United States of America Pageants are designed to encourage women “to strive to reach their hopes, dreams, goals and aspirations, while making them feel confident and beautiful inside and out.”

Livie says she is looking forward to the competition. “I think this is a good opportunity for me,” she said. “I see it as a chance of a lifetime.”

The winner of the state pageant will go on to participate in the national pageant. The pageant is also about community service and involvement.

Livie said she serves as an assistant dance coach at the Steppin’ Out Dance Centre in Saco, where she loves “teaching dance to little ones making sure they use proper form.”

Livie has also coordinated donations to help the area’s unhoused neighbors and volunteers at the Good Shepherd Parish, prepping and serving meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Regardless of how she fares at the state competition, Livie said she will continue volunteering and trying to help others. She has already spoken with school officials about the possibility of starting a club for students who want a safe place to share their experiences of being bullied.

When asked about her career plans, Livie said she dreams of moving to Tennessee and opening her own dance studio. In April, she was visited eastern Tennessee and says she “fell in love” with the area.

“Whatever happens at the state pageant, this is a real high point of my life,” Livie said. “It’s really helping me feel empowered about my future.”

Randy Seaver is a freelance writer living in Biddeford. He is a former newspaper reporter and editor and is the principal of a small strategic communications firm. He can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com