Miss Crowley royalty crowned

CROWLEY – There was an abundance of beauty, glitz and glamour in the Rice Capital of America last night as the 2012 Miss Crowley Pageants were held at the Historic Rice Theatre.

The Miss Crowley Pageant, sponsored by the Crowley Professional Women’s Club, celebrated its 76th year last night with a bevy of gorgeous ladies vying for the titles.

Miss Olivia LeJeune, whose sponsor for the evening was the Crowley Town Club, was crowned as the newest Ambassador to the Rice Capital of America, Miss Crowley 2012, by Miss Crowley 2011 Caitlin Simone Clayton. She was presented with a crown donated by Dugas, Soileau & Breaux, a banner donated by the Acadia Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, a scepter and the use of the brand new Miss Crowley mantle and train. She will serve as the City of Crowley’s Ambassador to the 2013 International Rice Festival.

She is the 21-year-old daughter of Donald and Edith LeJeune. Standing 5-feet, 2-inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes, Olivia is a 2009 graduate of Midland High School and a 2012 graduate of Acadiana Technical College - Acadian Campus in Business Office Technology. While in high school, Olivia was actively involved in the Student Council, FCCLA and the Library Club. During her time at ATC, she was a member of the Student Government Association, an ATC Honor Graduate and an Outstanding Graduate recipient. Her church and civic activities include volunteering for the Acadia Parish Animal Shelter and at Southwind Nursing Home, and she is a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Lyons Point. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, being with family and friends, reading and caring for animals. She is currently employed as a legal secretary with the law firm of Landry, Landry & Landry.

Her court included first runner-up, Elizabeth Legnion, who was sponsored by First National Bank; second runner-up, Paige Mire, who was sponsored by La Spiaggia; and third runner-up, Victoria Ludwig, who was sponsored by Rocco’s Italian Bistro. Her court members will represent the city of Crowley at an area festival of their choice.

Taking the crown as Teen Miss Crowley 2012 was Taylor DeVille, who was sponsored by Home Bank. Crowned by 2011 Teen Miss Crowley, Gabrielle Heinen, Taylor is the 15-year-old daughter of Chad and Heather DeVille and stands 5-feet, 10-inches tall. She has brown hair and hazel eyes. Taylor is currently a sophomore at Iota High School where she plays on the basketball and volleyball teams. She has received recognition on both teams by lettering in those sports and has also received an Honorable Mention Award in basketball. In her spare time, Taylor enjoys shopping, spending time with family and friends and going to the movies. She also enjoys talking and texting. After high school, she plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Monroe and to one day become a physical therapist.

Her banner was donated by the Dolores Nutt School of Dance and Amber Thibodeaux.

First runner-up for this year’s pageant in the Teen Division was Caroline Wild, who was sponsored by Wild Productions; second runner-up was Elise Miller, who was sponsored by Miller’s Lawn Service; and third runner-up was Kathryn Shea Duncan, whose sponsor for the evening was Evangeline Bank.

Reigning as Junior Miss Crowley for the year 2012 will be Chloe Von Sibley. She was crowned by Junior Miss Crowley 2011, Brooklynn Miller, and given a crown and banner which are compliments of Sheriff Wayne A. Melancon. Her sponsor for the evening was Core Realty.

She is the 12-year-old daughter of Crystal Morgan Sibley and Beau Sibley. Standing 5-feet, 2-inches tall, she has light brown hair and blue-gray eyes. She is currently a 7th grade student at Redemptorist Catholic School. Chloe’s school activities include membership in the BETA Club, varsity cheerleading, and participation in the track, volleyball and golf teams. Her numerous awards and honors include several school subject awards, the 2012 RCS Bazaar T-shirt design contest winner, and the TOP Advanced Reader Award. In 2007 she was chosen to represent Redemptorist as their princess at the International Rice Festival. She received the 1st place award in the Crowley Art Association Juried Art Competition and has been Crowley’s “Mayor for a Day.” Chloe enjoys swimming, singing and dancing, photography, modeling and power tumbling.

Her court included first runner-up Jamie Hanks, sponsored by H&H Electrical Services; second runner-up Victoria Callahan, who was sponsored by Baby Faces; and third runner-up, Madison Ebanks, who was sponsored by Core Dance Center.

Her new crown is compliments of Ruddock’s Bakery.

In addition to the crowning of the newest royalty, there were also awards given for Miss Congeniality and Most Photogenic in each division, as well as scholarships in the Miss Division.

Miss Congeniality for the Junior Division was Jamie Hanks; taking the honor in the Teen Division was Taylor DeVille; and Olivia LeJeune received the award among the Miss Contestants.

Receiving the award for Miss Photogenic in the Junior Division was Michaela Jabusch; in the Teen Division was Kathryn Shea Duncan; and in the Miss Division was Gabrielle Vincent.

The winner of the $1,000 scholarship, which was sponsored by Jaguar Energy Services, was Elizabeth Legnion.

The Crowley Professional Women’s Club and Mrs. Ruthie Welch Piron apresented their outgoing queen, Miss Crowley 2011 Caitlin Clayton with the Billie Welch Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00.

There was also recognition given to the young lady who sold the most ads for the 2012 program. The winner of this award was Elise Miller in the Teen Division. The proceeds from the sales of ads to local businesses and family members are used to help provide scholarships each year.

The evening, which was emceed by Mayor Greg Jones and Tessa Leleux Richard was filled with the excitement of the pageants, entertainment by the Dolores Nutt School of Dance and remarks from Mayor Greg Jones as well as Ms. Doris Reiners representing the 76th International Rice Festival. Also on hand to congratulate the 2012 Queens were Miss Crowley title holders from years past and visiting queens from Louisiana’s Fairs and Festivals. Special guests for the evening were the young royalty of Crowley, Toddler Miss Crowley, Malari Ann Elyse Navarre; Petite Miss Crowley, Addyson Claire Evans; and and Little Miss Crowley, Alli Alizabeth Sittig.

Shortly before the crowning of the new royalty, 2011 Miss Crowley, Caitlin Simone Clayton, who will be the city of Crowley’s representative to the 76th International Rice Festival in October, offered a farewell speech and spoke of her reign.

Among other local businesses who donated gifts for the new queens and the contestants were the Crowley Kiwanis Club, Rice City Designs, Thib’s Auto Titles & Tags, Acadiana Smiles and El Dorado Mexican Restaurants.

Other contestants competing in the Junior Division were Alyssa Williams, whose sponsor was Bank of Commerce; Michaela Jabusch, whose sponsor was St. Martin Bank; Olivia Lyons, whose sponsor was G&H Seed Co.; and Trinity Hedgcoth, who was sponsored by Studio 407.

In the Miss Division were Gabrielle Vincent, sponsored by Iberia Bank, and Payton Istre, sponsored by Fezzo’s.

The ladies began their day with interviews which were held at Crowley City Hall and hosted by the Crowley Professional Women’s Club. Visiting queens, contestants, sponsors and past Miss Crowley Queens were welcomed to a reception prior to the pageant which was also hosted by the Crowley Professional Women’s Club and sponsored by Shann Productions.

Immediately following the pageant, the new queens were honored at a reception hosted at the Crowley Town Club. Special thanks go out to Fezzo’s Seafood & Steakhouse for sharing the grace and hospitality of their staff with us.