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Junior Miss Crowley Kailey Blair Hollier, Teen Miss Crowley Jessica Lutisha Clayton and 80th Miss Crowley Kathryn Shea Duncan

Crowley crowns its queens

SAJA HOFFPAUIR, LIFESTYLES EDITOR

The Grand Opera House was filled with beauty and glamour last night as it served as the venue for the 2016 Miss, Teen Miss and Junior Miss Crowley Pageants.
The Miss Crowley Pageant, hosted by the Crowley Professional Women’s Club, celebrated its 80th year last night with a bevy of gorgeous ladies vying for the titles.
Miss Kathryn Shea Duncan, whose sponsor for the evening was J.C. & Suzy Webb, was crowned as the newest Ambassador to the Rice Capital of America, Miss Crowley 2016, by Miss Crowley 2015 Heather Trahan.
She was presented with a crown donated by Dugas, Soileau & Breaux, a banner donated by Crowley Mayor Greg Jones, a scepter and the use of the Miss Crowley mantle and train. She will serve as the City of Crowley’s Ambassador to the 2017 International Rice Festival.
Duncan is the 20-year-old daughter of Shea and Kathy Duncan. She is a graduate of Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish and is currently a junior at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. During her time at UL, Kathryn has served as fundraising chair of Habitat for Humanity UL Chapter, was recently elected president of that organization and volunteers her time at the Habitat store. She is the recipient of the Delhomme, Leblanc and Associates Scholarship, the Florence Mauboulis Scholarship, the UL Distinguished Freshman Scholarship, the Billie Ruth Welch Memorial Scholarship and a TOPS scholarship. She is the communications coordinator for the Welcome House Homeless Shelter and has visited Costa Rica for mission work. A published photographer, Kathryn loves painting, calligraphy and typography art. She also has a passion for the Cajun culture that Crowley has to offer and helping others. Kathryn plans to complete her college education in the fall of 2018, when she will receive a bachelor’s degree in marketing and then pursue her master’s degree in business administration.
Her court includes first runner up, Angelique Bieri, who was sponsored by Gatti’s Pizza; second runner up, Amber Marie Hayes, who was sponsored by The Family Clinic; and third runner up, Erica Paige Thibodeaux, who was sponsored by Thib’s Auto Titles & Tags.
Her court members will represent the City of Crowley at an area festival of their choice.
Taking the crown as Teen Miss Crowley 2016 was Jessica Lutisha Clayton, who was sponsored by AFC Towing & Recovery.
Being crowned by 2015 Teen Miss Crowley Alyssa Williams, Clayton is the 15-year-old daughter of Gwen and Joey Foreman and the late Jody Clayton. She is currently a junior at Crowley High School and is spending her summer babysitting. Jessica is a Beta Club member, a Student Council Representative and a cheerleader, and has been a member of the Worship Team. She has received the GPA Award for Excellence, been named a UCA All-Star Cheerleader and received the UCA “Pin It Forward” Award. She is a volunteer with Servolution City Wide Clean Up and a member of St. Michael’s Youth Group, and she has volunteered with Jingle Bell Noel and the Acadia Players Theatre Group. Jessica enjoys dancing, playing the ca’jon, playing the piano and gymnastics. She is also interested in politics, all genres of music and reading poetry. After high school, Jessica plans to attend Louisiana State University where she will major in criminal justice hoping to one day become an FBI behavioral analyst.
First runner up for this year’s pageant in the Teen Division was Chloe Von Sibley, who was sponsored by Medical Center Lab.
Reigning as Junior Miss Crowley for the year 2016 will be Kailey Blair Hollier.
She was crowned by Junior Miss Crowley 2015, Jadyn Devillier, and given a crown and banner which are compliments of Sheriff K.P. Gibson. Her sponsor for the evening was Evangeline Bank and Trust Co.
She is the 13-year-old daughter of Sammy and Paula Hollier. She will be an eighth grade student at Armstrong Middle School this fall. Her school activities include cheerleading, serving as squad captain, Student Council, Beta Club and being a dancer with Project Dance. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA since first grade, won the President’s Award and has also earned three Masteries and one Advanced on state testing. A member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Kailey participates in CCD Classes and is a member of EDGE. Her hobbies include singing, participating in school and church events and spending time with her godchild, family and friends. Her future plans are to one day become a surgeon to help people live happier lives.
Her court included first runner up Emmie Claire Miller, sponsored by Fezzo’s Seafood and Steakhouse.
In addition to the crowning of the newest royalty, there were awards given for Miss Congeniality and Most Photogenic. There were also scholarships given in the Miss Division.
Miss Congeniality for the Junior Division was Raina Audrey Bolduc, who was sponsored by Bank of Commerce and Trust Co.; taking the honor in the Teen Division was Chloe Von Sibley; and Amber Marie Hayes received the award among the Miss contestants.
Those contestants vying for the title of 2016 Miss Crowley were also eligible to participate in the Scholarship Competition. The winner of the $500 scholarship was Erica Thibodeaux, and the recipient of the $1,000 Billie Ruth Welch Memorial Scholarship was Amber Hayes.
Receiving the award for Most Photogenic in the Junior Division was Kennedi Klaire Stelly, who was sponsored by Schexnider Landscaping Services; in the Teen Division was Lainie Claire Conner, who was sponsored by Crowley Chief of Police Jimmy Broussard; and in the Miss Division was McKenzie Lane Jabusch, who was sponsored by Quality Equipment.
There was also recognition given to the young lady who sold the most ads for the 2016 program. The winner of this award was 2015 Junior Miss Crowley Jadyn Devillier. 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 Shanna Comeaux Morgan, was filled with the excitement of the pageants, along with live entertainment by Colby Latiolais and Ambush.
As the contestants offered their stage presentations to the judges, Courtney Garber accompanied the ladies on stage for a live piano performance. Mayor Greg Jones also offered his remarks and presented a key to the city to the outgoing Miss Crowley, Heather Trahan, and representatives of the 80th International Rice Festival spoke of the upcoming festivities.
Also on hand to congratulate the 2016 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, 2015 Miss Crowley Heather Trahan, who will be the City of Crowley’s representative to the 80th International Rice Festival in October, offered a farewell speech and spoke of her reign.
The 80th Miss Crowley Pageant contestants also included Madison Claire Ebanks, sponsored by Mary Ann’s Flower Shop, and Brooklynn Johnson, sponsored by Acadiana Smiles.
Other contestants competing in the Teen Division included Taren Marie Adams, who was sponsored by A-2-Fay, LLC: Catering and Makers of FontKnow’s Secret Products.
The ladies began their day with interviews held at Crowley City Hall and hosted by the Crowley Professional Women’s Club.
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.
Special thanks go out to all the many businesses and individuals who devoted their time, talents and generosity, including the staff of the Grand Opera House and Kim Gielen, Acadiana Smiles, Encore Healthcare & Rehabilitation, Southwind Senior Suites, Southwind Healthcare & Rehabilitation, Adam’s Apple, Boutique 46, Emily Lemoine, Everything Bakes, Gatti’s Pizza, Rah Rah NYC, Salvador’s, Spa Maison, Stage, the Crowley High School Football Team, Charlotte Jeffers and Mark Miller.
Co-Chairpersons for this year’s pageant were Tessa Richard and Elizabeth Monk.

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