Dream’s do come true

MISS FESTIVAL OF CHARITIES QUEEN III. Alyssa Dowouis (left) of Raceland was crowned as the event’s top queen. She is pictured with Butterfly Queen I Lecy Cazalot, who was also named as the Festival of Charities Ambassador Queen.

Festival of Charities queens crowned

“Dreams Do Come True” was the theme for the 3rd Annual Festival of Charities Junior, Teen and Miss Pageant. The pageant was held Sunday, April 26 at the American Legion Home in St. Rose. Alyssa Dowouis of Raceland was crowned Miss Festival of Charities Queen III. She also received the People’s Choice and Fashion Awards. Alyssa is the 17-year-old daughter of Rhonda and Darren Dowouis and is a senior at Central Lafourche High School. She is an honor roll student, Girl’s State Alternate and a member of the Performing Arts Club, Student Council, Key Club, National Society of High School Scholars and is dually enrolled at Nicholls State University. Her future plans include pursuing a degree in secondary education at Nicholls. She is employed by Tiger Town Gifts in Luling.

Alternates to the queen are 1st Alternate and Photogenic – Victoria Pellerin, 2nd Alterate – Nicole Simon, 3rd Alternate, Sportswear, and Sweetness – Monique Cannon.

Crowned Teen Festival of Charities Queen III was Miss Katie Pitts. She also received the Fashion Award. Katie is the 15-year-old daughter of Steven and Shanna Pitts of Destrehan. She attends Destrehan High School where she is a member of the Desty Darlings Dance Team. Katie also is in Talent Art, FCA and enjoys softball, cheering, volunteering as a HOST Math Mentor and Vacation Bible School assistant.

Alternates to the Teen Queen are 1st Alternate Jenna Mire, 2nd Alternate Dominique Brogle, 3rd Alternate, Sweetness, and Sportswear – Ashleigh Keller, 3rd Alternate Ashleigh Broussard, Photogenic Alexis Lachney, and People’s Choice – Paige Priest.

Miss Janet Nelson was crowned Junior Festival of Charities Queen III. Janet also received the People’s Choice and Sportswear Awards. She is the 11 year old daughter of Stephen and Staci Nelson of LaPlace. Janet attends St. Joan of Arc Catholic School where she is an honor roll student, 4-H President, and Beta Club Representative. She enjoys cake decorating, dancing, reading, and crafting.

Alternates to the Junior Queen are 1st Alternate Savannah Loupe, 2nd Gabrielle House, 3rd Alternate, Fashion, Photogenic, and Sweetness – Alexandra Workman, 4th Alternate Jayme White.

Also, named Festival of Charities Ambassador Queen was Miss Lecy Marie Cazalot, Butterfly Queen I. Lecy is the 25 year old daughter of Al and Duanne Cazalot. She is a special education graduate of Destrehan High School and enjoys traveling, pageants, participating in the Special Olympics and collecting purses.

The girls will represent the Festival of Charities at local and parish events as well as travel the state of Louisiana promoting awareness of the organization. The Directors of the Festival of Charities are Denise Lirette and Nancy Whann.

The organization benefits the Down Syndrome Association of Greater New Orleans, the ARC of St. Charles, and other local charities. They are a member of the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals. Mistress of Ceremonies for the festivities was guest celebrity Karen Boudrie. To learn more about the organization, please visit www.freewebs.com/festivalofcharities/

Youth, baby and Butterfly pageant

The Festival of Charities Pageant also held their 3rd Annual Butterfly Extravaganza and Baby and Youth Pageant at the American Legion Hall.

Baby and Youth Winners are as follows:

•Boys 13 -24 months – Prettiest Eyes, Smile, Hair, Fashion, Photogenic, and King – Gianni Irula.

•Girls 0 -7 months – Prettiest Eyes – Haidyn McNadd, Prettiest Smile – Krista Pfister, Prettiest Hari – Katelyn Bales, Fashion – Aiden Lirette, Photogenic – Krista Pfister, 3rd Alternate – Haidyn McNabb, 2nd Alternate – Karli Caronna, 1st Alternate Krista Pfister, Queen – Katelyn Bales.

•Girls 8 -14 months – Prettiest Eyes – Rachael Ray Ann Parker, Prettiest Smile, Hair, and Photogenic – Penelope Haley, Fashion – Maiah Silvestri, 2nd Alternate – Penelope Haley, 1st Alternate Maiah Silvestri, Queen Rachael Ray Ann Parker.

•Girls 15 – 23 months – Prettiest Eyes – Saniyah Robinson, Prettiest Smile Samantha Krail, Prettiest Hair – Sadie Lassere, Fashion – Alexandra Bate, Photogenic – Jade Sparacello, Beautiful Princess – Samantha Krail, 3rd Alternate – Saniyah Robinson, 2nd Alternate – Alexandra Bate, 1st Alternate and Butterfly Princess – Jade Sparacello, Queen – Sadie Lassere.

Girls 2 – 3 Years Old – Prettiest Eyes – Bayley Dumas, Prettiest Smile – Harley Bate, Prettiest Hair, Fashion – Kylee Silvestri, Photogenic – Corinn Witt, 3rd Alternate Hailey Bate, 2nd Alternate – Bayley Dumas, 1st Alternate Kylee Silvestri, Queen – Corinn Witt.

•Girls 4 – 5 Years Old – Prettiest Eyes, Fashion, and Photogenic – Reyse Marcel, Prettiest Smile, Hair – Camille Landeche, 1st Alternate – Reyse Marcel, Queen – Camille Landeche.

•Girls 6 -7 Years Old – Prettiest Eyes, Smile, Hair, Fashion, Photogenic, and Queen – Emily Loupe.

•Girls 8 – 9 Years Old – Prettiest Eyes and Photogenic – Emily Witt, Prettiest Smile and Fashion – Kinyson Voges, Prettiest Hair – Brianna Andras, 3rd Alternate – McKenzie Lirette, 2nd Alternate – Emily Witt, 1st Alternate – Brianna Andras, Queen – Kinyson Voges.