Victoria Richard named 2015 Miss Rayne

The Rayne Civic Center was transformed into a “Safari” setting Saturday evening as the City of Rayne sponsored the 2015-2016 Miss Rayne Pageant. Crowned as the city’s new honoree was Madison Victoria Blaise Richard, 17-year-old daughter of Sean and Holly Richard, was crowned the new honoree to represent the city for the coming year.
Victoria received her crown from last year’s honoree, Madison Vidal, who has completed her year-long reign by representing the City of Rayne in a most regal manner for which she was presented the annual Miss Rayne scholarship by Suzette Leonards, event director.
A senior at Rayne High School, Victoria keeps busy as a member of numerous school clubs, organizations, and member of the RHS dance team. She has also served the City of Rayne as Teen Frog Festival Queen, Frog Derby Queen and Jr. Frog Festival Queen.
Victoria was also presented the People’s Choice Award during the pageant, awarded to the contestant as it is voted upon by the attending audience. She was presented the award by Taylor Hollier, Miss Rayne 2012.
Named 1st Runner-Up and given the opportunity to attend an area festival was Ashley Ann Thibodeaux, 18-year-old daughter of Darrin and Julie Thibodeaux. Ashley is a full-time student at South Louisiana Community College with a major in nursing. She was presented her award by Rayne City Councilwoman Curtrese Minix.
La’Shonda Nicolette Delco was named 2nd Runner-Up and was also given the option to attend an area festival. She is the 17-year old daughter of Chandra Delco and Leonce Duhon Jr. of Rayne. La’Shonda is a Crowley High School senior and is presently serving as the Debutante Queen for the Ebonite Civic and Social Club. She was presented her awards by Rayne City Councilman Calise “Mike” Doucet.
La’Shonda was also awarded the banner and silver tray as she was named Miss Congeniality, a prestigious honor voted upon by the contestants prior to the pageant. Making the presentation were Rayne City Councilman Kenneth Guidry and Miss Rayne Coordinator Suzette Leonards.
Serving as emcee for the event was Cheryl R. Boudreaux. Judges were Tessa Dischler, Chontize Brown and Tammy Richard.
Committee members were Suzette Leonards director; Angie Broussard and Nikki Link, co-directors; Josie Henry, Taylor Hollier, Kelsey Primeaux, Paulette Primeaux, Paula Hollier, Dakota Henry, Claire Trahan Meche, Ellen Guidry, Kaitlyn Thibodeaux, Tiffany T. Gossen, and Nikki Link who provided the choreography for the dance number.
In addition to the numerous special guests in attendance were a number of past Miss Rayne title holders, including Tessa Richard Dischler (1999) and Taylor Hollier (2012).
Special thanks were expressed to the following for another successful Miss Rayne Pageant: City of Rayne for sponsoring the competition, DJ Phil Peltier for providing sound, Cheryl R. Boudreaux as emcee, William LeBlanc for serving as Miss Rayne Historian and for Miss Rayne photography, KP Gibson and Keith Latiolais for making donations to the Miss Rayne scholarship fund, Nikki Link with Project Dance for providing opening number and dancers (Julie-Anna Dupont, Lexi Thibodeaux and Danni-Grace Meche), contestant Ashley Thibodeaux for making costumes for the dancers, the Rayne Acadian-Tribune for coverage and announcements, the Rayne Lions Club who manned the concessions for the evening, and door attendees Fran Bihm with the Rayne Chamber of Commerce.