Festival maids vie for queen's title Aug. 26

Seventeen young women are vying for the title of Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Queen on Aug 26. They will be presented at 7:30 p.m. during the 82nd Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Coronation and Ball in the Paul Schreier Theatre at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.
Vying to wear the crown are: Reagan Barbier, Corrine Benandi, Lindsee Case, Michaela Dupont, Kayla Falgout, Sara Gaudet, Loreal Johnson, Macy Landry, Ashton Morales, Whitney Patterson, Taylor Perry, Victoria Rice, Hannah Roy, Emma Thomas, Michelle Topham, Chelsea Vining and Mamie Winters. The young woman chosen will travel the state promoting the festival and the Tre-City area.
Coronation tickets will be available at the door; however, no ball tickets are available. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the festival office at 985-385-0703.
A brief biography of the contestants follows:
Reagan Barbier, 19, is the daughter of Holly and Dwight Barbier of Morgan City. The Morgan City High School graduate is studying surgical technologies at Fletcher Technical Community College. While in high school, she was a member of Beta and Key Club, cheerleading, bowling, art club and insight.
Her hobbies are swimming, fishing and hunting.
Corrine Benandi, 19, is the daughter of Stacy and Donea Benandi of Berwick. She is a Berwick High School graduate and attends the University of Louisiana at Lafayette majoring in mass communications with a concentration in broadcast journalism. At ULL, she is a member of the orchestra, as well as a founding member of the ULL Gymnastics Club.
She enjoys meeting new people and traveling to new places.
Lindsee Case, 19, is the daughter of Angel and Ree Case of Morgan City. She graduated as valedictorian from Central Catholic High School and majors in biology at ULL with plans to attend medical school. At ULL she is a member of the orientation staff welcoming new freshmen and has been on the President’s list.
Her hobbies are drawing and painting.
Michaela Dupont, 18, is the daughter of Terry Dupont of Bayou Vista and the late Michael Dupont. The BHS graduate attends South Louisiana Community College where she is studying hospitality and business. At her church, she has been a retreat team member and volunteered with vacation bible school.
She enjoys dancing, working, fishing, cooking and venturing to new places.
Kayla Falgout, 19, is the daughter of John Falgout Jr. and Brooke Marcel Falgout of Morgan City. She is a BHS graduate and attends Nicholls State University where she is majoring in psychology with a minor in English. She is on the NSU orientation team staff.
While in high school, she was FBLA vice president and junior class vice president, a member of Key Club and Drama Club. Her hobbies are painting, yoga, traveling, reading and outdoor activities.
Sara Gaudet, 19, is the daughter of Maria Governale Gaudet and Gerald Gaudet Jr. of Stephensville. She was a 4.0 MCHS graduate and attends NSU studying nursing and health promotion. She is a member of Nicholls Honors Program, National Association of School Nurses and the NSU Nursing Program.
At MCHS, she was a member of Key Club, Beta and Historical Society. She also was a Tiger Track Ambassador and participated in AHEC of a Summer and Sacred Heart Youth Group.
She enjoys anything medicine related, creative writing, fitness and health.
Loreal Johnson, 20, is the daughter of Jason Henry, Brandi Favors and Vonda Johnson of Patterson. She is a 4.0 graduate of Patterson High School and is majoring in mass communications with a concentration in advertising and minors in visual art and anthropology. She is a two-time LSU black scholar.
Her hobby is creating YouTube videos.
Macy Landry, 19, is the daughter of Holly Aucoin of Morgan City. Landry is a graduate of BHS and is in pre-nursing at LSU. She is a member of Delta Zeta sorority serving on the Academics Committee. She volunteers at St. Lillian’s Academy, as well as attending numerous other philanthropic events through LSU’s Greek Life.
While in high school, she was a member of Beta, Key Club, homecoming court, prom court, Student Council vice president and School of Pride band president.
She enjoys counseling/mentoring teenagers, painting, arts and crafts, and fishing.
Ashton Morales, 19, is the daughter of Nicole and Jason Cline of Berwick. The BHS graduate is studying pre-dentistry at LSU where she is a member of Phi Mu Sorority and Pre-Dental Society.
While in high school, she was awarded Citizen of the Year Award, Athlete of the Year, Volleyball All District and Who’s Who.
Her hobbies are volleyball, golf and dance.
Whitney Patterson, 19, is the daughter of Kellye Jo and David Patterson of Berwick. She is a magna cum laude graduate of BHS and completed the Aveda Cosmetology Institute. While in BHS, she was a member of the homecoming court, prom committee, St. Mary Parish Talented Art, St. Mary Parish Talented Acting, Beta, Student Council, ARK Club, Drama Club, Wisecat and Powercat. She was also voted Most Spirited and received the Mason’s Honesty and Integrity Award.
She enjoys traveling, painting, acting, cooking and reading.
Taylor Perry, 18, is the daughter of Mamie and Doug Perry of Patterson. The Berwick High graduate attends LSU in pre-dental studies. She was Miss Harvest Moon VIII.
Her interests are dancing, traveling, working church retreats, volunteering at PHS band camp, dance team, photography and sisterhood events with her sorority sisters.
Victoria Rice, 19, is the daughter of Patti and Gordon Rice of Morgan City. She is a graduate of MCHS and is majoring in nursing at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While in high school, she played volleyball and soccer. She was also a member of Key Club and Beta. She was an Atchafalaya Bit and Bridle Club Princess.
Her interests include outdoor activities, traveling, exercising and competing with her horses.
Hannah Roy, 18, is the daughter of Christel and Harry Hicks of Berwick and the late Kenny Roy. The BHS graduate is majoring in Child and Family Studies with a minor in sociology at LSU. Upon graduation, she plans to attend LSU Law School. She is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, LSU Relay for Life, Relay for Life Morgan City and is a 14-year volunteer for the annual Kenny Roy Baseball Tournament.
Her hobby is making various crafts with her silhouette machine.
Emma Thomas, 19, is the daughter of Christy and Ruben Thomas of Morgan City. She is a graduate of CCHS and is majoring in kinesiology with a concentration in occupational therapy at LSU. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi, Pre-Occupational Therapy Club, Student Medical Christian Association and Christ the King Catholic Church (LSU).
Her interests are photography, tennis and reading.
Michelle Topham, 19, is the daughter of Andrea Topham and Michael Topham of Patterson. The BHS graduate is studying diagnostic medical sonography at Baton Rouge Community College. While at BHS, she was a member of Beta Club, Student Council, ARK, Science Club, Powercat and Wisecat.
She enjoys gymnastics, hunting, fishing and swimming.
Chelsea Vining, 18, is the daughter of Angela and Ronnie Vining of Berwick. She is a graduate of BHS and is majoring in nursing at Nicholls. She was a BHS 4.0 graduate, a member of homecoming court, HOSA, Student Council and track.
Her interests are baking and traveling.
Mamie Winters, 18, is the daughter of Shane and Daniel Winters of Patterson. She is a graduate of Corpus Christi Homeschool. She has had 32 theatrical stage performances, was first runner-up in the Miss Franklin contest, made it to the second round of “The Voice,” and was a regional Country Music Showdown winner.
She enjoys singing, acting, cosplay, drawing and writing short stories.
—Photos provided by Peter Bello Photography, except Whitney Patterson’s photo by Photo Express.