44th Senior Rice Queen crowned
The City of Crowley was honored to host the 44th Annual Golden Age Coronation Ball, which marked the beginning of the International Rice Festival
this year. The Rice Festival Building in Crowley was the setting for the ball held Wednesday, October 15 at 7 p.m.
“The Rice Festival Association congratulates this year’s queen, Frances Guillory,” said Master of Ceremonies Robert “Robby” Barousse upon welcoming guests to the 2008 International Rice City Senior Citizens Queens’ Ball.
The ball began with a welcome by Crowley Mayor Greg Jones and remarks heard from Blane Faulk the 2008 president of the International Rice Festival, which was followed by the entrance of the 2007 Senior Citizens’ Queen Shirley Daigle, escorted by her son, Patrick Daigle.
Also present for the event were three of Crowley’s past queens, 1993 queen Bertha S. Faulk, escorted by Byron Bonin; 2001 Queen Catherine Lacombe, escorted by Jim Miller and 2004 Queen Belle Bertrand, escorted by John Trahan.
Visiting Royalty from the Lafayette Golden Age Club were club members, which included Queen Priscilla Bruggeman, First Maid Lee Matkis escorted by Bob Matkis, Second Maid Daisy Soriez, Third Maid Angie Nigro escorted by Donald Nigro and Fourth Maid Mable Dubois.
Visiting royalty from the Morgan City Forty Niners Club included Queen Dorismae Ratcliff escorted Dale Ratcliff, First Maid Betty Elliot escorted by Frank Elliot.
Barousse then introduced the 44th Royal International Rice Festival court, which consisted of Queen Frances Guillory escorted by her son, Gene Godeaux, First Maid Phyllis Benoit escorted by Charles Benoit. Serving as Queen’s Crown Bearer was her granddaughter, Crystal Vincent.
Crowning the 2008 queen was the 2007 Queen Shirley Daigle.
C.J. Langlanis, grandson of the queen, served as scepter bearer and Stephanie Langlanis, daughter of Mrs. Guillory was her gift bearer. The presentation of flowers was given by the queen’s daughter, Margaret Cormier.
After the new queen’s announcement, she and her court performed the Grand March to the “Tennessee Waltz” followed by their first dance to “Rose-Colored Glasses.”
Entertainment throughout the night was provided by the Rebels band.