By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – With St. John the Baptist Parish’s big annual celebration, the Andouille Festival, quickly approaching, the parish crowned the royalty that will reign over the proceedings over the weekend.

Ron’eeka Hill of LaPlace was named the 2010 Miss Andouille by a panel of judges that included a veteran of the pageant scene as well as the director of the Women’s Resource Center and a college instructor. Hill also captured the photogenic award.

“I was in total shock. This has been a dream for me,” said Hill. “I give all glory to God.”

Hill said, “I’m hoping that I’m able to change the face of Miss Andouille.”

Hill wants to use the title to “get some community service events started.” She said she would like to work with nursing home residents and the Keep St. John Beautiful campaign during her reign.

Other winners in the Miss category were: third runner up, congeniality and people’s choice, Lacey Volion; second runner up and fashion-evening gown, Jamie Roussel; and first runner up and fashion-interview, Brooke Stein.

A new Teen Andouille Queen was also crowned Saturday, and that honor went to Shelby Clement, who also took home the awards for photogenic, people’s choice and fashion-interview and evening gown.

Other teen winners included: third runner up, Madison Stein; second runner up and congeniality, Paige Ocmond; and first runner up, Saige Brady.

The master and mistress of

ceremonies for the evening, David Beadle and Brandy Matulich,

kept the James Bond-themed evening rolling, and last year’s queens, 2009 Miss Andouille Kristina Colletta and 2009 Teen Andouille Queen Madison King, were interjected frequently into the program, reminiscing about the past year and offering advice for their successors.

The first half of the show featured many espionage-related acts with Chrissy Carter singing “Goldfinger,” MaQue Hollins tap dancing to “Live and Let Die,” and an Austin Powers impersonator, to add a little levity.

This is the 31st year the title of Miss Andouille has been handed out. In addition to reigning over the Andouille Festival, the queen will also compete in the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Pageant.