Holiday royalty crowned
Amelia Grace Prevost, a student at St. Michael School, was crowned as the 2014 Miss Merry Christmas Thursday night at the Eta Kappa Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi’s 49th annual Miss Merry Christmas Pageant held at the International Rice Festival Building in Crowley.
Amelia is the 7-year-old daughter of Sarah and Jeremy Prevost. Her hobbies include dancing, gymnastics and playing with her brothers and sister, and she enjoys collecting rocks and crystals. She plans to be an art teacher and cheerleader one day.
Debra LeJeune, president of Eta Kappa, welcomed the crowd before handing the microphone over to Jimmy Broussard, who was once again honored to serve as master of ceremonies.
The evening began with the presentation of the reigning 2013 Miss Merry Christmas, Hayden Claire Schexnayder, followed by the first promenade of the 2014 contestants.
There were 31 lovely girls vying for the privilege of riding next to Santa in this year’s Crowley Kiwanis Club Christmas Parade.
Entertainment was provided by dancers from the Dolores Nutt School of Dance.
After serious and intense deliberation by the judges the new Miss Merry Christmas and her court were selected.
Chosen as the new Miss Merry Christmas’ court were fourth runner-up, Emmy Claire Navarre of South Crowley Elementary; third runner-up, Gabriella Medina of Ross Elementary; second runner-up, Emma Louise Hargrave of Northside Christian School; and first runner-up, Emily Marie Abshire of St. Michael School.
Other contestants who advanced to the top 10 as finalists included Macie Habetz, who attends Iota Elementary; Grayce Olivia Landry, who attends St. Francis School; Evee’ Margaret Kirsch, who attends Iota Elementary; Ellen Richard, who attends St. Michael School; and Anna Catherine Francis, who attends St. Michael Elementary.
Also competing as contestants in the pageant were Riley Ann Bertrand of North Crowley Elementary, Alexis Celeste Miller of St. Michael School, Mya Babineaux of North Crowley Elementary, Taylor Brook Prejean of Evangeline Elemntary, Hailee Gautreaux of Ross Elementary, Mallory Elise Breaux of St. Michael School, Dayton G. Richard of Ross Elementary, Jaylynn Alysse Thibodeaux of Morse Elementary, Kalli Jane Fruge of Iota Elementary, Alyssa Michelle Sisco of Redemptorist Catholic School, Rose White of Evangeline Elementary, Mia Marie Hoffpauir of Redemptorist Catholic School, Haleigh Melancon of St. Michael School, Kenzley Bellard of North Crowley Elementary, Addison Grace Guidry of Morse Elementary, Jade Milaneta Guidry of South Crowley Elementary, Riley Ann Helo of Ross Elementary, Caroline Therese Trahan of St. Michael School, Allyson Adele Matte of Iota Elementary, Adalyn Mable Banas of Northside Christian School and Trelesse Hollier of South Crowley Elementary.
All of the contestants received certificates and gifts for taking part in the annual community event.
This year’s Christmas parade is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, and all of the contestants will be aboard Santa’s float for the festivities.