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There will be 13 area young women vying for the crown of Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Queen when the festival holds its annual coronation at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door at $7 for adults and $5 for children.
Bidding farewell will be King and Queen Jimmy Skiles and Emma Thomas. Skiles, of Berwick, works at Laborde Marine. Thomas attends Louisiana State University studying kinesiology with a concentration in occupational therapy.
Hopefuls for title of queen are:
Jaci Arnold, 19-year-old daughter of Gina and Jason Arnold of Berwick, is a graduate of Berwick High School where she was valedictorian. She attends Nicholls State University in Thibodaux where she is doing a double major in accounting and finance.
She is a member of Delta Zeta sorority, Colonel Catholics, and the Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta national honor societies.
Her interests include playing, coaching and watching sports, and traveling with her family.
Emma Aucoin, 19, is the daughter of Michelle Trapp and Greg Aucoin of Morgan City. The Central Catholic High School in Morgan City graduate attends Louisiana State University majoring in mass communications with a concentration in public relations.
She is a member of Delta Zeta sorority and its police appreciation committee. She serves as intramural chairwoman and ticket sales chairman for the Miss LSU-USA Pageant.
Her interests include traveling, and learning about new things and places.
Hallie Autin, 19-year-old daughter of Lois and Joseph Autin of Morgan City, is a CCHS graduate. She is studying social sciences at Baton Rouge Community College where she is a member of the softball team. She is also a member of the Holy Cross Parish choir.
Her other interests include singing and playing the piano.
Madalyn Campbell, 19, is the daughter of Ginger and Jason Campbell of Berwick. The BHS graduate studies interior design at LSU where she is a member of Delta Zeta and the Interior Design Student Organization. She is the winner of the 2017 Artists Guild Unlimited scholarship.
Her interests include creating commissioned paintings and being outdoors.
Kelsi Chapman, 19-year-old daughter of Lesli and Wayne Chapman of Morgan City, is a graduate of Morgan City High School. She attends Nicholls studying pre-pharmacy while working as a full time medical assistant and maintaining at 3.8 GPA.
Her interests include cooking and reading.
Alaina Deshotel, 19, is the daughter of Christy and Sonny Deshotel of Morgan City. The MCHS graduate studies speech pathology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she is a member of the Gamma Kappa chapter of Kappa Delta, is Peer Mentor for incoming freshmen and a member of National Student Speech and Hearing Association.
Her interests are swimming, boating, traveling and volunteering with her sorority.
Caylee Deshotel, 19-year-of daughter of Christy and Sonny Deshotel of Morgan City, is a MCHS valedictorian graduate. She is on a pre-law track studying public relations at LSU where she is on the dean’s list. She is a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Alpha Delta Pi’s Omega chapter, and serves as social media chairwoman for the recruitment and marketing team. She is also on the sisterhood committee and risk management team.
Her interests include traveling, photography, attending summer camps, tennis, working for her sorority and more.
Katelyn Gautreaux, 19, is the daughter of Stephanie and Lee Gautreaux of Morgan City. The MCHS graduate studies nursing at Nicholls where she is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.
Her interests include exercising, tennis and traveling.
Emma Hover, 19-year-old daughter of Shannon Thomas and Gary Hover, is a graduate of BHS. She studies early childhood education and special education at LSU where, as a member of Delta Zeta, she handles various duties. She was selected to attend EMPOWER, a leadership camp for Greeks. She attended Louisiana Girls State as a student and returned as a counselor.
Her interests are playing sports, meeting new people and attending bible study.
Paige Landry, 19, is the daughter of Andrea and Tim Matte of Morgan City and Brian Landry. The MCHS graduate studies marketing at LSU where she is a member of Pi Beta Phi.
Her interests include working out, teaching swim lessons and traveling.
Jordan Lipari, 19-year-old daughter of Kristen and Matt Lipari of Patterson, is a graduate of BHS. She attends Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, majoring in biology. She is a member of the softball team and Chi Omega sorority. Her high school accolades included BHS Homecoming Queen, Athlete of the Year and Class Favorite.
Her interests include hunting and fishing.
Ali Tregle, 19, is the daughter of Susan and Scott Tregle of Morgan City. The MCHS graduate studies psychology at Nicholls where she is a member of the Colonettes and Colonel Catholics.
Her interests are dancing, bowling, volunteering at animal shelters and working out.
Mamie Winters, 19-year-old daughter of Shane and Daniel Winters of Morgan City, is a graduate of Corpus Christi Homeschool. She was the 2017 KQKI Country Showdown winner, won St. Mary’s Got Talent, and auditioned for The Voice, American Idol and various other music competitions. She has participated in 30 theatre productions.
Her other interests include volunteering, working with kids and baking.
—Photographs of the contestants are provided by Peter Bello Photography.

Karen V. Thomas Dickerson, 56, a native and resident of Patterson, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, at her residence.

Visitation will be Saturday from 8 a.m. until services at 10 a.m. at Good Hope Baptist Church in Patterson. Burial will follow in Shields Cemetery in Patterson.

She is survived by her husband, Douglas Dickerson of Patterson; a son, Rickey Vanderson Jr. of Baton Rouge; two stepsons, Rick McCurtis of Verdunville and Douglas Jenkins of Port Arthur, Texas; a daughter, Whitney Breaux of Patterson; two stepdaughters, Layoya Bennett of Patterson and Ayeshia

Dickerson of Port Arthur, Texas; three brothers, Darryl Bennett of Franklin, Don Bennett Sr. of Mansura and Alan Bennett Sr. of Patterson; a sister, Patricia Bennett of Patterson; and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother.

Otis Mortuary Inc. of Franklin is in charge of arrangements.

Submitted Photos
Local businesses are becoming Artists Guild Unlimited Purchase Award patrons for the 55th Annual Show and Sale, set for Aug. 29-Sept. 21. For a minimum contribution of $50, donors are invited to a Patron Reception to select their artwork before the show opens.Top photo: the AGU's Geri Bourgeois, left, receives a check from Jennifer Streva Reasoner of Bourgeois Law LLC. Bottom photo: Bourgeois accepts a check from Cannata's Manager Steve Domangue.