Shrimp & Petroleum Festival names Maid Court

The Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival organization has named its 2026 Maid Court as it nears the end of the 90th festival royalty’s reign.
The 91st edition of the festival will be Sept. 3-7.
90th King Cecil A. Hernandez
Hernandez, a longtime resident of St. Mary Parish and graduate of Morgan City High School and LSU, currently serves as president and CEO of Conrad Industries Inc. Hernandez joined Conrad Industries in 1998 and held various leadership roles, including executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief operating officer.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Hernandez and his family made their home in Morgan City in the early 1960s. His parents, Cecilio and Dulce Hernandez, moved the family due to employment opportunities in shipyard and offshore oil and gas development.
As a young man, he worked summers and holidays at Avondale Shipyard while attending college.
His early professional career included positions at Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Oceaneering International and Hernandez & Blackwell CPAs.
Hernandez has been involved in numerous community, civic and professional organizations over the years and is a parishioner of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Berwick.
He is married to Kimberly Conner Hernandez. Together, they share a close-knit family: Tyler and Marta Hernandez and their daughter Cecilia; Patrick Hernandez and Julianna Hernandez.
Hernandez said he is honored to serve as king of the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival, celebrating the vibrant heritage of the industries that shaped his life, his family, and his community.
90th Queen
Charlie Ann Fuhrer
Fuhrer, 19, is the daughter of David and Joellen Fuhrer of Berwick. She is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and is currently attending Nicholls State University, where she is pursuing a degree in mass communication with a concentration in public relations.
At Nicholls, she is involved in the Women’s Track and Field Team, Delta Zeta sorority and Colonel Catholics. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Fuhrer’s crowning continues a proud multi-generational legacy of festival royalty. Her grandmother, Ann Giordano Roy, reigned as queen in 1958; her mother, Joellen Frances Roy Fuhrer, reigned as queen in 1991; and her cousin, Hailee Ann Thomas, reigned as queen in 2014.
2026 Maid Court
Emma Bonin
Emma Bonin, 18, is the daughter of Lockwood and Nicole Bonin of Franklin. She is a graduate of Berwick High School and is currently attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she is pursuing a degree in nursing.
At UL Lafayette, she is involved in the American Nurses Association and the National Student Nurses Association. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, and caring for her animals.
Isabelle Hernandez
Isabelle Hernandez, 19, is the daughter of Ashleigh and Matthew Chiasson of Berwick. She is a graduate of Central Catholic High School. She previously attended LSU, where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority.
She is currently attending Baton Rouge Community College to pursue a degree in medical diagnostic sonography, and she is involved in the Christian Student Association Club.
In her free time, Hernandez enjoys sharing her passion for softball by mentoring young athletes, staying active with Pilates, spending time with her family and friends, and spending time outdoors with her dogs. She looks forward to a career in health care where she can make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Miley Hotard
Miley Hotard, 19, is the daughter of Brandon and Jamie Hotard of Berwick. She is a graduate of BHS and is currently attending LSU, where she is pursuing a degree in communication disorders and sciences.
At LSU, she is an active member of Kappa Delta Epsilon Chapter. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Makinzie Macaluso
Makinzie Macaluso, 19, is the daughter of Sam and Kim Macaluso of Berwick. She is a graduate of BHS and is currently attending Nicholls, where she is pursuing a degree in pre-professional allied health.
At Nicholls, she is involved in the Allied Health Club and is a part of Delta Zeta. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Grace Matte
Grace Matte, 18, is the daughter of Jeffrey and Lauren Matte of Berwick. She is a graduate of BHS and is currently attending LSU, where she is pursuing a degree in marketing.
At LSU, she is an active member of the Kappa Delta sorority. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Maid Court photos by Kennedy Sampey/Sampey Photography