Our Cajun Christmas tradition holds strong, and it is something we cherish and look forward to all year long. In St. James Parish, we celebrate the best season of all, BONFIRE SEASON!

For the past 365 days I have had the honor to represent our unique tradition as the Teen Miss Festival of the Bonfires XVII. This year is certainly a memory that I will cherish in my heart forever.

It is impossible to thank everyone individually on the Festival Committee so I will send out a sincere thank you to anyone involved with any aspect of the Festival of the Bonfires. You all truly know how to make a person feel special, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to be involved with such a wonderful organization.

Our festival pageant would not be the success it is without the wonderful team of people that put it all together. Thank you to everyone who participates in the pageant committee. This team is led by the most inspirational director, Jade Leblanc Poche.

The passion she has for this title is incredible, and I hope to follow in her footsteps one day. Jade, thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I am truly honored to have been able to represent the festival with you by my side.

Throughout the year I have had the pleasure of traveling around this great state representing our wonderful Bonfire Tradition. The people I met along the way will forever be apart of my life, and I will forever be grateful of what this title gave to me. My family has been by my side throughout this year, and I can’t thank them enough for all they do for me. I love all of you!

This journey was never about me, it was about sharing our unique Cajun Christmas Tradition and making sure this tradition lives on forever. The crown and banner I wear so proudly was always just a bonus.

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and my year as the Teen Bonfire Queen is almost over. I truly have enjoyed every minute of this journey and I look forward to be a part of the Festival of Bonfires for many more years.

Proudly representing the Festival of Bonfires, I am and will always be your Teen Festival of the Bonfires XVII, Amber Hope Theisges.