Five beauties vying to be 75th Rice Festival Queen

By: Angela Becnel
CROWLEY - The 75th International Rice Festival (IRF) Queen’s Pageant will be held this weekend. Five contestants will be interviewed by the judges on the afternoon of Friday, October 21 with the final competition on Saturday morning. Shortly after the entertainment by the IRF Dance Troupe, the new queen will be crowned by the 2010 IRF Queen Andre Lyons at the 10 a.m. competition at the Cajun Country Rice Stage.

“I am not looking forward to it actually,” laughed Lyons. “I have had such a great time this past year, I knew this day would come but I wish we could just skip Saturday morning and enjoy the rest of the festival.

The 2011 International Rice Festival (IRF) Queen will represent the Rice Festival, the City of Crowley and the rice industry for the year.

Her reign will include her attendance at the Krewe of Louisianians Mardi Gras Ball held every year in Washington, D.C. She will also attend the Rice Millers Association Convention and travel throughout the state reigning at several fairs and festivals.

Revealing a new crown for the 2011 queen, the IRF awards the crown and banner to the winning contestant. In addition, the new queen will receive a total of $2,250 worth of scholarships. The scholarships include the Bill Williams Memorial Scholarship as well as the Sonic Drive In, Cajun Country Rice, Union Pacific and Senator Dan Morrish scholarships.

She will also be awarded $1000 of travel expenses, care of the IFR.

“This year I have enjoyed going to the Mardi Gras ball in Washington, D.C., the Rice Millers Association Convention which was held in Hawaii, as well as all the other events,” said Lyons. “I knew this day would come and I can’t wait, but part of me wishes we could just skip Saturday morning and go straight to the rest of the festival.”

This year the competitors for the title are Kayla Louise Kebodeaux, Kirstie Mae Bieber, Kaylee Ann Beaubouef, Macy Michelle Leblanc and Angelle Marie Thomassee.

Kayla Louise Kebodeaux, daughter of Larry and Connie Kebodeaux, is representing the city of Crowley and is sponsored by the Crowley Professional Women’s Club. She is currently attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Kayla’s favorite subjects are art and design. She is a member of the Sigma Alpha Lambda Chapter at ULL. Kayla’s hobbies include painting, reading, shopping, sewing and designing.

Kirstie Mae Bieber, granddaughter of Evelyn Bieber, is representing the women’s ministry organization of Mowata Baptist Church. She is a student at the Louisiana State University at Eunice. Kirstie’s favorite subjects are biology, health and history. She is a member of the Mowata Baptist youth group. Her hobbies include riding, fishing, hunting, hanging out with friends, shopping, swimming and babysitting.

Kaylee Ann Beaubouef, daughter of Donna and Adam Beaubouef, is representing the Easter on the Red River Festival. She is a student at University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she is majoring in nursing. Kaylee is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. Her hobbies include cooking, baking, painting, hunting, fishing and shopping. She enjoys water sports and showing livestock.

Macy Michelle LeBlanc, daughter of Dana And Arthur LeBlanc, is representing the Evangeline Oil and Gas Festival. Macy’s favorite subjects are design, English and Math. She is a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. Macy’s hobbies include baking, traveling, scrapbooking, painting and she love to support the UL Ragin’ Cajuns.

Angelle Marie Thomassee, daughter of Geralyn and Keith Thomassee, is representing the Acadia Parish Queens Pageant. She is a graduate of the Acadia Parish School of Cosmetology. Angelle is currently a hair stylist and makeup artist at Cabelo Salon. She was invited to attend Imagination to Image Pictorial in New York City, earning a certification to work on editorial photo shoots. Her hobbies include running, hunting and photography.