Herald-Guide People Watch

Queens reign over Louisiana Catfish Fest

Photo by Shonna Riggs

FESTIVAL QUEENS. Louisiana Catfish Festival queens Katie Guidry and Jaclyn Sutton accept parish proclamation July 7.

Louisiana Catfish Festival queens were chosen June 14 during the annual pageant at J.B. Martin Middle School in Paradis. The theme was "A Salute to Mardi Gras."

Katie Guidry was crowned Louisiana Catfish Queen XXXIII. Jaclyn Sutton was named Teen Queen XIII. Ashley Rome was crowned Junior Catfish Queen XXVI, and Mary Helen Dempster was crowned Granny Catfish III.

The queens will reign over the Louisiana Catfish Festival July 11-13 on the St. Gertrude Church grounds in Des Allemands.

Guidry, the 18-year-old daughter of Michael and Laura Guidry of Cut Off, also won top interview, sportswear and evening gown awards. Guidry attends Nicholls State University, where she is majoring in education.

She will represent the catfish industry at festivals and community events throughout Louisiana. She will also compete in the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen of Queens Pageant in February.

In the miss division, Krista Neal was first runner-up. She also won the photogenic, Miss Congeniality and People's Choice awards.

Sutton, the daughter of Christa DiNicola and John Sutton of Hahnville, also won top interview, photogenic, sportswear and evening gown awards. Sutton will be a senior at Hahnville High School.

Other winners in the teen division were Monique Cannon, first runner-up; Brianna Triche, second runner-up; Lacyee Mizzell, third runner-up, People's Choice and Miss Congeniality.

Ashley Rome of Des Allemands was crowned Junior Catfish Queen XXVI for selling the most raffle tickets. She is the daughter of Randall and Caryn Rome.

Mary Helen Dempster of Des Allemands was crowned Granny Queen III. Dempster has been a festival volunteer for more than 33 years.