ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / August 9, 2000

Shannon Hinton’s voice betrays a hint of sadness as she said, “Yes, I know, it is almost over.”She is talking about her reign as St. John Parish Sugar Queen for 1999. OnSaturday Hinton hands her crown over to the next Sugar Queen, and she is kind of sad about it.

“I had an awesome time,” said Hinton.

The LaPlace resident and graduate of St. Charles Catholic High School saidbeing Sugar Queen was one of the most uplifting experiences in her life.

“The best thing about being Sugar Queen was representing St. John Parish,”said Hinton, “and meeting all the other queens. I feel like we are all sistersnow.”When asked if there were any bad times during her reign, Hinton was quick to answer, “There wasn’t anything bad; I swear it was so much fun.”Hinton says the highlight of her year as Sugar Queen was when she officially got her title as St. John Parish Sugar Queen at the New Iberia pageant.”That was the most fun,” she admits. “It was an overwhelming feeling.While she was queen Shannon was attending Nicholls State University and was an art major. Now that she will have more time she is transferring toSoutheastern Louisiana University, where she will major in dance.

A dancer since she was young, Hinton says that Southeastern offers a lot more in the way of a dance curriculum. Right now she dances as aSaintsation during the New Orleans Saints football games.

After graduation Hinton plans to open a dance school and teach all forms of dance.

When she attends the 2000 St. John Sugar Queen Pageant Saturday, Hintonsaid she has some advice for the next Sugar Queen.

“Be prepared to be very busy, ” she said and laughed. “And be prepared notto see your boyfriend for at least a year.”Shannon said her boyfriend is really glad her reign is over.

“He thought he would never see me again,” she says.

One other piece of advice from Hinton to the St. John Sugar Queen 2000 is:”Bring a lot of aspirin with you,” said Shannon, “She is going to get a lot of headaches from all the crowds and the noise.”

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