A royal wave goodbye

By: HEATHER
BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

The Ville Platte Women’s Association will be sponsoring its 31st annual Miss Ville Platte Scholarship Queen’s Contest on Sunday, May 22. Co-sponsors for the event are Mayor Jennifer Vidrine and the City of Ville Platte. As the three 2015 queens prepare to relinquish their titles Sunday afternoon, they reflect on their exciting year of fun and travel while representing the City of Ville Platte.
Miss Ville Platte
Katelyn Noelle Thille
“As Miss Ville Platte,” outgoing Miss Ville Platte Katelyn Noelle Thille shares, “I have had the opportunity to travel over 2,800 miles across the great state of Louisiana. Throughout my adventures, I have met so many wonderful people and many are now my friends.”
One of the most memorable weekends of her reign, was the Cotton Festival. She recalls, “In October, I had the privilege to compete in the Louisiana Cotton Festival for the title of Queen Cotton. That weekend was something I had dreamt of since I was a little girl, to be able to be a Miss Queen and attend the weekend festivities with the other Miss royalty. Last year, I finally got that opportunity, as well as the chance to compete for the festival. My mom and dad even attended the pageant, which was possibly the biggest highlight of the night.”
The 21-year-old royal beauty is the daughter of David and Amanda Thille of Ville Platte. She is the granddaughter of Delouis and Ethel Daire and Charles and Violet Thille. She is currently attending Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, where she is a senior pursuing a pre-vet degree. She is a member of the Pre-Vet Club and Block and Bridle Club. When not working, studying or attending events, she enjoys travelling to new places, fishing, drawing and writing short novels.
She plans on graduating from Louisiana Tech in the fall of 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. After taking some time off from school, she plans to then attend LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine in the fall of 2017 with a concentration on small domestics, livestock and pathology.
The pageant veteran has held a few other titles besides Miss Ville Platte, but she admits, “This title is definitely one I will always cherish.” She shares, “Moving to college has given me the opportunity to travel around north Louisiana and not just central and south Louisiana. I have been blessed with two wonderful sister queens. We have kept in touch and we have gotten so close over the past year. I will definitely miss travelling and spending time with them. From three-legged races at the Boggy Bayou Festival to history trivia at the Battle of Pleasant Hill, there was never a dull moment with these two amazing girls.”
One memory in particular holds a special place in Thille’s heart, She says, “I always smile when I think about going to my Great Aunt Versie’s apartment after the Boggy Bayou Festival last year to show her my crown. She was so proud of me and happy that I was queen. She asked me if she could wear it and I told her ‘of course!’ I gave it to her and she put it on. She smiled really big and said she felt so pretty and wanted a picture taken of her. I obliged, loving how she was so happy. She is one of my role models and I’m so happy to have given her that moment to feel like a queen.”
During her reign, Thille has attended many events and recalls, “I have taken part in Evangeline Parish’s Relay for Life for the past eight years. Last year, my work schedule collided with the event, having to work until noon and go to work the next day at 8 a.m. I vowed that no matter what it took I was going to the Relay. After my shift ended I drove straight to Ville Platte. I was in Ville Platte until almost midnight before I had to drive back to Ruston. This was just one of many times I had made a drive like that. I am proud of myself for balancing my education, work and pageant schedule this year.”
She adds, “One of my favorites with my sister queens was the Battle of Pleasant Hill. This year was the 152nd anniversary of the battle and I’m definitely going again next year. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced. The cannons shook the ground beneath my feet and the cavalry were mesmerizing. Most importantly, the people there were very nice and educating. I’ve learned so much from the reenactment.”
To her successor, Thille says, “Being a good queen requires patience, dedication and being a good role model.” She admits, “Some weekends, I just wanted to take a break, but I knew that every event/pageant I attended positively represented the city of Ville Platte. I scheduled my events around school and work, so a lot of the time my free weekends were booked with pageant events.”
She also encourages her successor to, “Travel as much as possible but don’t forget about your education. Going to different events is fun, but don’t push real life aside. A title is something to cherish as it is only for a year; however, your education will build you up for the rest of your life. Be kind. A new rhinestone sister may not know anyone who has been a part of the pageant world for years. Be open and get to know people, I guarantee you’ll meet some wonderful people and great friends. Remember, you have two sister queens. Get to know them and travel together as much as possible. They will be part of your family by the end of your reign. Last, you are Miss Ville Platte. You represent not only the festivals in this great town, but the people and unique culture. Do not ever let anyone tell you you only hold a ‘city title.’”
Thille has many people to thank for helping make her year such a success and she says, “First, I want to thank God for allowing me safe travels throughout the state and guiding me through all of my endeavors. My mom and dad, for allowing their house to be my ‘pit stop.’ I can’t imagine what some of those long drives would’ve been like without stopping by and saying hello to the family. I love you and my siblings to the moon and back. My Momo and Gopey, for always welcoming me to their house and letting me stay there when there wasn’t a bed for me at mom’s house. And thank you for financially helping me. I know I would not have been able to travel as much as I did without your help. Mr. and Mrs. Walker and Ms. Vidrine, thank you for giving me the opportunity to travel across Louisiana with your daughters and for the numerous pictures along the way. Mama Tonya, for helping me prepare for the Louisiana Cotton Festival pageant and welcoming me into your life since day one. I would not have done as well as I did that weekend had it not been for all of your help. We had our opposing moments, but that’s normal for family. Love you big big. Last, I would like to thank my Junior Queen, McKenzie, and Teen Queen, Hailey. I am so proud of all that you two have done for Ville Platte and how you represented yourselves anywhere you girls went. God has truly blessed me with two amazing sister queens. I will miss you two so much and I wish you both the best of luck in your future adventures.”
Through her year as Miss Ville Platte, Thille shares, “I have learned a lot about myself. I learned that I am a leader. I have been called ‘mom’ by my friends because I always keep them in line and help with anything they ever need. The same thing happened with my rhinestone sisters. I look out for others and I am there for anyone who ever needs my help, whether it was for a pageant or for prom. I learned that I have high expectations for myself. I have pushed myself past my normal limits this year with communicating with people, planning events, and travelling. Each time I succeed at something, I set higher goals. This has made me the hard working individual I am today. Finally, I learned that the people of Ville Platte are selfless. This is why I love the people of Ville Platte so much.”
Teen Miss Ville Platte Hailey Nicole Vidrine
“Being crowned Teen Miss Ville Platte has given me the opportunity to travel across the state of Louisiana representing my hometown,” proclaims outgoing Teen Miss Ville Platte Hailey Nicole Vidrine. She continues, “Throughout my reign, I have had the opportunity to experience various unique and wonderful festivals from all ends of the state. I have made friends with amazing girls who are just as passionate about the fairs, festivals and towns that they represent.” Vidrine admits, “By representing the town of Ville Platte this past year, I have learned so many things about myself and my town that made me fall in love with Ville Platte even more. I have learned valuable skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, some of which include interview skills and public speaking.”
The 17-year-old first time title holder, is the daughter of Wayne and Jenny Vidrine of Ville Platte. She is the granddaughter of Landris and Janice Guillory, Minnie Verrette and Clarence and Karen Vidrine. She attends Sacred Heart High School, where she is an active member of the 4-H Rotary Interact and FBLA clubs. Her hobbies include riding horses, hunting, fishing and hanging out with her friends. Her future plans include graduating high school and then attending LSU-Alexandria to major in biology and obtain her masters.
Vidrine had a fun-filled year of travel with her sister queens and shares, “Some of the most memorable moments of my reign includes traveling to the Festival of Bonfires and watching them light the huge bonfires on the levees, watching the frog races at the Rayne Frog Festival, eating the best smoked meat at the Louisiana Smoked Meat Festival, dancing at the Mamou Cajun Music Festival, watching the civil war reenactment at Battle of Pleasant Hill, as well as a ‘hog chasing good time’ at the Louisiana Swine Festival, just to name a few.” Some of the other events she attended included the Louisiana Relay for Life pageant, the Watermelon Festival pageant, SWLA Pageant, Christmas on the Bayou, Lecompte Pie Festival Pageant, Boggy Bayou Festival, Le Grand Hoorah, Tournoi, Contraband Days and many other festivals.
Vidrine would like to thank everyone who has helped her throughout her reign. “I would like to thank my Nanny Lori (Guillory) for traveling with me and forcing me to try new things. Thank you for being the best photographer a queen could ever want. I would also like to thank mom and dad for putting up with me being gone practically every weekend. Also, I would like to thank my sister for convincing me to step out of my comfort zone and pursue this title that means so much to my heart. I would also like to thank my amazing director Mrs. Dalayne (Veillon) for always being there for me when I need and being the best director a girl could ever hope for.”
She continues, “To my two sister queens: McKenzie and Katelyn, y’all are truly a blessing. I was so fortunate to spend my year with you two. I will forever treasure every memory that we have made over this past year, especially when me and McKenzie made Katelyn bring us tons of food at Battle. I cannot wait to see where this life takes us and I know that no matter how old we get or how much time passes, we will always be Rhinestone sisters.”
To her successor, Vidrine, says, “I think that being a good queen means realizing that the title you represent is about more than a beautiful crown and banner. It is about the pride you get from being able to represent a title that you carry so close to your heart. Being a queen it is your job to represent your title with respect and class because you are a representative of your city. As a queen, you have to be content with giving up your weekends to travel all over this great state.” She adds, “Most people say take this title and run, but you need to take this title and walk really slowly because before you know it this year will fly by. Travel as much as possible because Louisiana has tons of unique cities and fairs and festivals that have so much rich history to share. The other festival queens will welcome you with open arms and you will instantly be accepted into the Rhinestone sisterhood.”
Junior Miss Ville Platte McKenzie Claire Walker
“This title has allowed me to meet new people and get to know my home town a little bit more,” states outgoing Junior Miss Ville Platte McKenzie Claire Walker. She adds, “I have been able to make memories, too. It is amazing how much time is put into each event. For example, my Teen queen and I had a fashion show at Cinderella Day during a slow hour.” Another fun memory, Walker shares, is that, “My sister queens and I went to the Battle of Pleasant Hill, and they faced us and pretended to shoot us with the extra gun powder. When they shot at us, all of the visiting queens fell to the ground and acted like they were dead.”
Another memory that stands out, Walker recalls, is, “When me and my miss queen meet up at Logan’s Steakhouse. Before we left the restaurant, I bumped into 20 things. Katelyn told me not to hurt myself, or anyone else for that matter.”
The 15-year-old royal beauty is the daughter of Kevin and Jolay Walker of Ville Platte. She is the granddaughter of Kay Thompson, Pasty Barbie, Wayne Barbie (know as Wild Wayne) and Donnie Sylvester. She attends Sacred Heart High School, where she is involved in many activities, including, Rotary Interact Club, FBLA, Trojan Scholar, golf and track. She is also in company dance class and enjoys going to races with her dad on weekends. Her future plans are to go to college, but she shares, “I am unaware of what my occupation will be.”
In addition to the Junior Miss Ville Platte title, Walker has held one other contracted title. She admits, “This one is different because I was already familiar with the rhinestone family. Also, my older queens have helped me a lot with my travels and I couldn’t have asked for nicer people that became like family to me.”