A royal farewell to a fun year

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

“Being Miss Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau has taught me a lot,” declares outgoing queen Rheagan Mae Ortego, adding, “I’ve experienced what it is like to compete on a state level with girls from around Louisiana. I was able to learn what their parishes provide to not only our state but to the rest of the U.S.” She also shares, “I have learned to never doubt myself and to always believe that no matter what, I can do it.”
While she has held many other titles, she says this title does not compare to any of the other titles because, “I feel like I had to grow up quick and learn faster because I was just a 16-year-old competing on the state level for a Miss title against older, more experienced young ladies.”
One of the highlights of her reign, Ortego recalls, was the Farm Bureau Convention weekend in New Orleans spent with all of the Farm Bureau members from across Louisiana, saying, “It was a lifetime experience I will never forget.” She also recalls, “Lake Charles always has the best festivals to attend. My two favorite events I attended were the Armed Forces Pageant, where I played laser tag on the Orleck with my sister queens, and Contraband Days, where I went on a treasure hunt throughout the festival grounds.”
The 17-year-old royal is the daughter of Bubba and Tonya Ortego of Basile and the granddaughter of Ricky and Liz Duhon and the late David and Hazel Ortego. She is a junior at Basile High School, where she has been a member of the track team for four years and a trainer for the high school football team. She is also a member of the BETA, 4-H, FCA and FBLA clubs. After graduating from high school, Ortego plans to attend McNeese State University then transfer to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and graduate with a bachelor’s degree. After that, she plans to attend medical school at LSU to become a doctor.
Ortego admits that her mom has played a very important role in her reign as Farm Bureau Queen, acknowledging, “The number one person that has made this year memorable would be my mom, Tonya. She never leaves my side no matter what. I truly don’t know what I would do without her. I’m blessed to have a mother like her who supports me in everything I do.”
To her successor, Ortego shares, “What it takes to be a good queen is heart and dedication. You are not only wearing a crown on your head and wearing beautiful dresses, but you are representing something that is dear to someone. When people look at queens, they don’t want to see just a pretty girl, they want to see someone who is truly dedicated and truly loves what they represent.” She adds, “The cliché saying that is overly used, ‘Before you know it, you’ll be standing where I’m standing crowning your own successor,’ is very true. Enjoy your year! You will meet new people and make new memories that you will never forget. Convention weekend can either be fun or very stressful! But life is what you make it! I hope your year is as great as mine was and so much more.”
Ortego will crown her successor during the 64th annual Farm Bureau meeting/pageant Sunday afternoon, March 6, at the Northside Civic Center.