New Crowley royalty crowned

There was an abundance of beauty, glitz and glamour in the Rice Capital of America last night as the 2014 Miss Crowley Pageants were held at the Grand Opera House of the South.

The Miss Crowley Pageant, hosted by the Crowley Professional Women’s Club and sponsored by Jaguar Energy Services, celebrated its 78th year last night with a bevy of gorgeous ladies vying for the titles.

Miss Julian Rene Devillier, whose sponsor for the evening was Rice City Gymnastics, was crowned as the newest ambassador to the Rice Capital of America, Miss Crowley 2014, by Miss Crowley 2013 Allison Hoffpauir. Devillier was presented with a crown donated by Dugas, Soileau & Breaux, a banner donated by Jennifer T. Mixon and Suzy Webb of Acadia Parish Farm Bureau, a scepter and the use of the Miss Crowley mantle and train. She will serve as the City of Crowley’s ambassador to the 2015 International Rice Festival.

Devillier is the 19-year-old daughter of Sean and Sonia Devillier. Standing 5 feet, 4 inches, tall, she has dark black hair and dark brown eyes. While in high school, Julian was a member of the Beta Club, the volleyball and track teams and the Gifted and Talented Program in Acadia Parish. Her honors and awards include Student of the Year nomination, Pio of the Month, Best Lead Actress Scholarship, Acadia Players Scholarship, State Championship volleyball team, Performance Award Scholarship, and ULL Centennial Scholarship.  She is currently a student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette majoring in performing arts with a concentration in dance and is a member of Chi Tau Epsilon dance honor society. Julian was a volunteer choreographer for Dancing with the Stars, Eucharistic minister, volunteer funeral vocalist for low income families, and organizer of the first “Little Free Library” in Acadia Parish. She enjoys reading, dancing, singing, playing piano, decorating and everything Disney. She also loves spending time with family. Julian has been the National Anthem singer for Notre Dame, LSU and ULL. She has recorded Amazing Grace in French and English, and is the personal chauffeur for her little sister.

Her court included first runner-up, Nicole Claire Taylor, who was sponsored by Acadiana Smiles; second runner-up, McKenzie Lane Jabusch, who was sponsored by Quality Equipment; third runner-up, Kathryn Shea Duncan, who was sponsored by Iberia Bank; and fourth runner-up, Morgan Faith Delome, whose sponsor for the evening was Bank of Commerce.

Her court members will represent the City of Crowley at an area festival of their choice.

Taking the crown as Teen Miss Crowley 2014 was Victoria Marie Callahan, who was sponsored by Mike Goss – Candidate for District Judge. 

Being crowned by 2013 Teen Miss Crowley Angelique Bieri, Callagan is the 16-year-old daughter of Michael and Angela Callahan and stands 5 feet, 3 inches, tall. She has brown hair and blue-green eyes. Victoria is currently a junior at Crowley High School where she is active in the Science Club, Drama Club, 4-H Club, pep squad and cheerleading. Her awards and honors include Outstanding Student, Outstanding Writer, honor roll, Leadership Award, Hardest Working Student and Sacre Couer Catholic Youth Award. She is involved in her church choir and volunteers at the Crowley Christian Care food drive. She also participated in nursing home visitation for Valentine’s Day. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, tumbling, running, exercising, photography, riding horses, acting, fishing, shopping, mission work, pageants, trying new foods, dancing, swimming, babysitting and coordinating special events. She is also interested in working with special needs children. Victoria donated Christmas presents for the Christmas Angels program. After high school, she plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and to one day become a nurse.

Her new crown is compliments of Ruddock’s Bakery and her banner was donated by the A-2-Fay, LLC, Makers of FontKnow’s Secret Products, Merchandise and Catering.

First runner-up for this year’s pageant in the Teen Division was Michaela Louise Jabusch, who was sponsored by Evangeline Bank & Trust Co., and second runner-up was Brooklynn Nicole Miller, sponsored by Madelynn Brooks Salon-Spa-Boutique.

Reigning as Junior Miss Crowley for the year 2014 will be Jessica Lutisha Clayton. She was crowned by Junior Miss Crowley 2013, Alyssa Williams, and given a crown and banner which are compliments of Sheriff Wayne A. Melancon. Her sponsor for the evening was Ambassadors for Christ Trucking.

Clayton is the 13-year-old daughter of Gwen and Joey Foreman and Jody Clayton. Standing 5 feet, 2 inches, tall, she has light brown hair and green eyes. Jessica will begin her freshman year this fall at Northside Christian School. Her school activities include participation in the Student Council, varsity cheerleading and being a member of the Praise and Worship Team. Her awards and honors include the junior high basketball “hustle award” and the volley ball “most improved award.” Jessica has also competed at the state level in a fine arts human video drama. She is a member of the Reverb Youth Media Team, VBS student leader, children’s ministries leader, Teen Board member of the Acadia Players, and dancer for eight years. She has also volunteered for city wide clean up day. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys performing in plays with the Acadia Teen Players Theatre Group, gymnastics, playing piano and painting. She also enjoys traveling and hopes to one day be a preschool teacher. Her court included first runner-up, Summar Paige LeLeux, who was sponsored by Coastal Floor Covering, and second runner-up, Zoe Addison Carmichael, who was sponsored by Carmichael Rental Properties.

In addition to the crowning of the newest royalty, there were awards given for Miss Congeniality and Miss Photogenic. There were also scholarships given in the Miss Division.

Miss Congeniality for the Junior Division was Alana Claire Vincent. Taking the honor in the Teen Division was Brooklynn Nicole Miller and Morgan Faith Delome received the award among the Miss contestants.

Those contestants vying for the title of 2014 Miss Crowley were also eligible to participate in the Scholarship Competition. The winner of the $500 scholarship was Courtney Ann Miller, and Nicole Claire Taylor received the $750 scholarship. The recipient of the $1,000 Billie Ruth Welch Memorial Scholarship was Kathryn Shea Duncan.

Receiving the award for Most Photogenic in the Junior Division was Mikayla Angelle Tish Clayton, in the Teen Division was Cyla Lynn Ledet and in the Miss Division was Rebecca Lynn Roy.

There was also recognition given to the young lady who sold the most ads for the 2014 program.  The winner of this award was Madison Elizabeth LeJeune. 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 Jennifer Taylor Mixon, was filled with the excitement of the pageants along with entertainment by the Dolores Nutt School of Dance and Rice City Gymnastics.  

Mayor Jones offered his remarks as well as a key to the city to the outgoing Miss Crowley, Allison Hoffpauir, and Troy Perry, representing the 78th International Rice Festival, spoke of the upcoming festivities.

Also on hand to congratulate the 2014 Queens were Miss Crowley title holders from years past and visiting queens from Louisiana’s fairs and festivals. 

Shortly before the crowning of the new royalty, 2013 Miss Crowley, Allison Hoffpauir, who will be the City of Crowley’s representative to the 78th International Rice Festival in October offered a farewell speech and spoke of her reign.

Other contestants competing in the Junior Division were Mikayla Angelle Tish Clayton, who was sponsored by Serendipite Home Decor, and Alana Claire Vincent, who was sponsored by A-2-Fay, LLC. 

In the Teen Division, other contestants were Jamie Nicole Hanks, sponsored by H&H Electrical Services, and Cyla Lynn Ledet, sponsored by Shabby to Chic.

Those young ladies who also competed in the 2014 Miss Division were Rebecca Lynn Roy, who was sponsored by Arc of Acadiana; Courtney Ann Miller, who was sponsored by Gatti’s Pizza; Madison Brianne Morgan, who was sponsored by LaSpiaggia; and Madison Elizabeth LeJeune, who was sponsored by First National Bank.

Immediately following the pageant, the new queens were honored at a ball held at Le Grand Hall. Guests enjoyed delicious catering by Rice Palace and entertainment by DJ Tracy Young.

The Crowley Professional Women’s Club would like to give special thanks to all the many businesses and individuals who devoted their time, talent and generosity, including the staff of the Grand Opera House of the South, Acadiana Smiles, A-2-Fay, LLC, Encore, Southwind Nursing and Rehab, Southwind Assisted Living, Boutique Forty-Six and It Works Sales Representatives Gina Istre and Kysha Gautreaux.  The 2014 pageant co-chairpersons, Tessa Richard and Jennifer T. Mixon, along with all of the Crowley Professional Women’s Club, extend their sincerest gratitude and appreciation to all who helped to make this year’s pageant such a success.