Cotton Queen LXI crowned Saturday afternoon

The 61st annual Queen Cotton Pageant was held Saturday afternoon, October 11, in conjunction with the Cotton Festival. Following the introduction of all Cotton and Tournoi royalty, Karlee Leanne Farris, the 22-year-old daughter of Chad and Jill Farris of Sulphur, was crowned Queen Cotton LXI by outgoing Queen Cotton LX Kaelah Alysse Cobb.
The brown-eyed, brown-haired beauty is a senior at LSU, where she is pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in communications. She then hopes to find a career to thrive in and later have a family. She has received several scholarships and was honored as an academic athlete for two years of her college career. She played collegiate soccer and is a member of Sigma Phi Lambda sisters for the Lord sorority. She also did mission work with her church overseas in both Turkey and South Africa. She enjoys crafting, playing soccer, spending time outdoors with her family and friends and learning about different cultures and meeting new people. She also volunteers whenever she can and enjoys traveling around the state experiencing what each fair and festival has to offer.
Caroline Frances Cosgrove-Richard, the 19-year-old daughter of John Richard of Opelousas, was selected as first runner-up to the new queen.
Rounding out the top five were Sarah Buller, the 21-year-old daughter of Lucas and Kelli Buller of Ville Platte, second runner-up; Haley Jett, the 17-year-old daughter of John and Pam Jett of Anacoco, third runner-up; and Christiana Guillory, the 20-year-old daughter of Belvin and Brances Guillory of Eunice, fourth runner-up.