ANNA MONICA / L’Observateur / August 11, 1999

It was an interesting night, Saturday, a week ago, and quite pleasant when I went to Lutcher High School for the Miss St. James Pageant to take pictures forL’Observateur. Seth Bourgeois of that area is a local favorite and has beenmaster of ceremonies for three years. The 1996 Miss St. James Parish Queen,Heather Roussel, was mistress of ceremonies. Both hosts presented themselvesquite elegantly.

The pageant’s theme, really cute and creative, was titled “Swing Back in Time.”The podiums were adorned with old time phonograph records (which some of us still have). Each contestant for both the Miss Teen St. James and Miss St. Jameshad her number displayed on miniature records pinned to her gown. Sethcomically pulled out a real old LP record to demonstrate to the “younger crowd” what they really looked like in their day.

A nice touch, which most pageants do, was the introduction of other visiting queens who were referred to by the hostess queens as “weekend sisters.” I likedthe terminology. Those visitors included local area queens Lindsay Melancon ofPaulina, first runner-up in Miss St. James Boat Club replacing queen HeidiKilburn, who was a contestant in the Miss St. James contest; Megan Daigle ofGramercy, Little Miss Tri-Parish; Courtney Tatman of LaPlace, Miss Louisiana Teen; Nikki McGill of LaPlace, Miss New Orleans Teen; Amy Waguespack of Reserve, Miss Riverside; Ashley Jolley of Reserve, Miss Louisiana Southern Belle; Amy Emerson of LaPlace, Miss Andouille Teen Queen; Terri Martin of Lutcher, Festival of the Bonfires queen; and Kara Keller, St. John Sugar Queen.Each contestant was asked what their favorite color was, and as they recited that, they also gave the reason why. It was quite interesting to hear thedifferent interpretations. I was so impressed by one that I had to write it downto remember and it came from the young lady who was eventually named Miss St. James, Holly Murry.She said, “I like all colors because it represents the world around us.” I foundthat very thoughtful for this young woman who I believe may be 20 years old.

The song “Amazed,” was the favorite of most.

Also very profound were the answers given by the contestants when asked why they thought they could best represent St. James Parish. There were commonthreads in their answers, such as family values, tradition, sugar cane fields, quality of the people in the parish, culture, roots, pride, history and proud parents. It was all very sincere and very believable. It certainly made me feelgood for the parish.

Today’s contest entrants look so very poised and lovely in their gowns you can forget how young they are. For this contest, the gowns were noticeably moresophisticated and feminine than anything worn in my day. But then, much morethan that has changed since then. They say that death is only second amongpeople’s fears; public speaking is number one. You couldn’t think that when the1998 Miss Teen Queen, Ashley Deslattes, gave her outgoing talk. She didn’t missa beat and was so composed and articulate. Considering her youth, it was quite,quite admirable. The outgoing Miss St. James also did very well and it seems tome that representative young people like this today gives us a good vision for the future.

Guests from St. John Parish included St. John Sugar Queen pageant directorSuzanne Cancienne and Maria Hotard, assistant director. They once again weretreated to a skit and song from fellow actors in the recent production of “Lil’ Abner,” Casey Accardo and Robin Smith, who were part of the entertainment.

Mainly, I am impressed by the maturity and quality of our local young people in these pageants. And to think, there are many, many more young people out therevery much like that! We all know some.

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