By David Vitrano
L’Observateur

LUTCHER – On a Lutcher High School auditorium stage given an elegant makeover befitting the evening’s theme, “Mystery of the Night,” Lutcher native Hannah Guidry was crowned the 2013 Miss St. James Parish.
“It’s completely shocking, but I’m very proud that I get to be there for my parish,” said Guidry, still struggling to take it all in.
The 19-year-old St. Charles Catholic graduate said this is her second time competing for the crown. Last year she was urged to join the pageant by her employers, and because she finished well last year, Guidry said she decided to give it another try.
“This year I just did way better,” she said.
Guidry is the daughter of Kenneth and Kathy Guidry.
She is currently studying nursing at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Guidry will compete for the title of Queen Sugar in New Iberia in September.
Four young ladies competed for the crown.
In the Teen division, the night belonged to 16-year-old Dani Lyn Clement.
The Lutcher High School student is the daughter of Davey and Dawn Clement. She bested a field of five contestants.
Clement will also travel to New Iberia in the fall, but there is no Teen division at the state level.
Hosting the evening was a couple of women well acquainted with the pageant world, Hailey Keller and Trista Brazan. Both have worn the Miss St. James Parish crown in the past.
The pageant began with a dance number to the tune “Puttin’ on the Ritz” before each contestant vied for the favor of the judges during the evening gown competition.
Then, after several lively dance numbers, the new queens’ predecessors, 2012 Miss St. James Parish Bianca Steib and 2012 teen winner Lindsay Dufresne, bid farewell to a yearlong journey that clearly touched both of them. Through heartfelt speeches each conveyed the sense that it was an experience neither is likely to forget soon.
Said Steib, “Wear the crown not only on your head but on your heart.”