Frog Queen Crowned

By Lisa Soileaux

Assistant Editor

With the 36th Annual Frog Festival just two weeks away, the new Frog Festival and Teen Frog Festival Queens were selected Saturday, Aug. 23, during the annual pageant held at the Rayne Civic Center.

Following interviews, evening gown competition, and on-stage interview with Rayne Mayor Jim Petitjean, Chelsea Paige Richard was named 2008 Frog Festival Queen and Kelsey Paige Primeaux the 2008 Teen Frog Festival Queen.

Chelsea, 20-year-old daughter of Errol and Vickie Richard of Rayne, was crowned by the retiring royalty, Amanda Kate Sills, who completed her year-long reign at the pageant held by Rayne City Council of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. The new queen, a former Frog Derby Queen and Miss Rayne honoree, is a student at Louisiana State University at Eunice majoring in radiology.

Awarded the Queen 1st Alternate banner and named Rayne's representative to Festival Ray*la*ne was Jennifer Robichaux, 19-year-old daughter of Francis and Debbie Robichaux of Rayne. The recent Miss Rayne honoree was sponsored for the pageant by the City of Rayne.

Named Queen 2nd Alternate and Acadia Parish's representative to the Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Pageant was Hope Lee Mestayer, 19-year-old daughter of Tab and Kim Mestayer of Dry Creek. She was sponsored by her parents for the pageant.

Receiving the 3rd Alternate banner and named alternate to the princesses was Sondra Joyce Myrick, 21-year-old daughter of Ronnie and Betty Myrick of Lake Charles. She was sponsored by her parents for the pageant.

The queen’s contestants voted Christina Dane Goff, 17-year-old daughter of Shane and Angie Goff of Crowley, Miss Congeniality. She was sponsored for the pageant by the Crowley Professional Women's Club representing the City of Crowley.

Kelsey, 15-year-old daughter of Alcide and Paulette Primeaux of Rayne, was crowned Teen Frog Festival Queen by the outgoing royalty, Sarah Jane Mouton, who served the Festival and City of Rayne during the past year. Kelsey is a sophomore at Rayne High School and was sponsored by her parents for the pageant.

Awarded Teen 1st Alternate banner was Dakota Henry, 15-year-old daughter of Ricky and Renee Henry of Church Point. She is a sophomore at Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish and was sponsored for the pageant by her family.

Dakota was also voted by the contestants as the Teen Miss Congeniality.

Named Teen 2nd Alternate was Ashlee Marie Guilbeau, 13-year-old daughter of Clyde and Karen Guilbeau of Lafayette. She is an eighth grade student at Judice Middle School and was sponsored for the pageant by her parents.

Receiving the 3rd Alternate banner was Gabrielle Jewel Theriot, 16-year-old daughter of Dayna Willis and Jacques Theriot of Prairieville. She is a junior student at Dutchtown High School and was sponsored by her parents for the event.

Other Teen contestants included Jeane Louise DeRouen, 15-year-old daughter of Antoinette and Harvey DeRouen of Abbeville; Lindsey M'Lane Harmon, 14-year-old daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Levin Harmon of Lafayette; Alyson Noel Kratzer, 14-year-old daughter of Roger and Kristine Kratzer of Mermentau; Caroline Porter, 14-year-old daughter of Nicky Lingo and Dennis Porter of Lafayette.

Serving as judges were Johnnie Simoneaux of Luling, Brooke Henry of Shreveport and Hedi Frederick of Delcambre.

Also in attendance and recognized during the pageant were the reigning Rayne royalty, including the new 2008 Junior Frog Festival Queen Alaina Picard, Miss Tadpole Payton Broussard, Mr. Tadpole Tobin Thibodeaux, Deb Frog Festival Queen Holli Mire, Frog Derby Queen Dommie Credeur, Frog Jockey Queen Madison Guidry, Golden Frog Festival King and Queen Donnie and Jennifer Meche, and Ms. Frog Festival Queen Summer Parker.

In addition, over 100 visiting queens from throughout the state were in attendance, each adding their congratulations to the new queens.

Both queens and their courts will be formally introduced during the 36th Annual Frog Festival on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the pavillion.