Bieber places at state pageant

Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau Queen Heidi Bieber placed as second runner-up at the State Farm Bureau Queen’s Contest in New Orleans in June.
Bieber said, “I learned about the Farm Bureau organization and a lot of things about Louisiana agriculture. I also learned a lot from other contestants at the convention about other commodities we do not have in Evangeline Parish.”
Bieber, of Mamou, was crowned the Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau Queen during the 64th Annual Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau Meeting and Queen’s contest on March 6. Bieber has also competed in pageants since she was a child, including the Tournoi Pageant in Ville Platte.
“I always wanted to compete in the local pageant since I was younger, but you had to be 16 to enter,” she said. “Plus my dad is a farmer, so I always wanted to do it. The day I was crowned, it was such an honor because I waited for it since I was younger.”
Bieber competed in the state level contest on June 25 during the 94th Annual Farm Bureau Convention in New Orleans.
“We had to do an interview for the pageant at the convention, so I studied up on Farm Bureau and the state’s agriculture industry,” she said. “In preparing for the interview, I learned a lot. Farm Bureau is different from other insurance organizations. It’s like a family to you. It’s a great organization.
“During the convention, the contestants had the opportunity to go to different awards ceremonies, and we learned about the agriculture issues today. We got a taste of the convention and what the organization is about. I also met different girls from all around Louisiana. They were all sweet and nice, and I made new friends from across the state. Overall, it was a great experience. I had so much fun.”
Bieber was one of 28 contestants from around the state, and each girl was escorted at the event by the Farm Bureau president from her parish.
“I was really excited, going into the contest,” she said. “First, I made the Top 10, and I didn’t think I would even make it that far, but I was happy about it.”
Bieber is the daughter of Kody and Shellie Bieber. Bieber is a 2016 graduate of St. Edmund High School. While a student, she was a member of the school’s softball, track and cross country teams and the cheerleading squad. She was also the captain of the 2015-2016 cheerleading squad. Bieber was a member of National Honor Society, as well as the group’s secretary. She was also a member of Student Council, and she was the secretary/treasurer of the council. Bieber was also a member of the ACT 22 Plus club, Future Business Leaders of America and president of Campus Ministries. She was also the 2016 class treasurer. Bieber’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, baking, spending time with family and friends and hanging out on her father’s farm.
Bieber will attend Louisiana State University at Eunice and later transfer to the school’s Baton Rouge campus to study kinesiology. She would like to be an occupational therapist.
Bieber said being the Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau Queen has given her a chance to be a voice for Louisiana agriculture.
“I am eager to speak out as queen, meet people involved with agriculture and learn about the big part it plays in Louisiana,” she said. “The most important thing is being able to educate others about agriculture. It’s great for Louisiana agriculture and agriculture as a whole across the country. There are many hard working farmers and ranchers around the United States.”