Gradnigo reflects on a reign spent traveling with daughter

By: TONY MARKS
Associate Editor

When Jacqueline Shilo-Gradnigo was crowned Ms. Smoked Meat Queen in 2016, she joined her daughter as a member of festival royalty. Her daughter Kenya in 2015 was crowned Queen Miss Smoked Meat and then Miss Washington Catfish Festival in 2016.
“Being crowned Ms. Smoked Meat Queen has allowed me the opportunity to travel the state representing Ville Platte and the Smoked Meat Festival,” she commented. “During my reign, I learned that the city of Ville Platte and the citizens take pride in their community and enjoy knowing that Ville Platte is the Smoked Meat Capitol of the World.”
The elder Gradnigo is no stranger to the festival circuit previously holding the titles of Ms. Opelousas Spice and Music Festival Queen, Ms. Washington Catfish Festival Queen, Ms. Ragley Heritage Queen. Ms. St. Landry Parish Queen, and she was the first Ms. Armed Forces Queen.
However, Gradnigo stated, “Despite having other titles, my reign as Ms. Smoked Meat will always hold a special place in my heart,” she added. “It’s not every day that a girl can say, ‘Come on down to Ville Platte, La for the annual Smoked Meat Festival. I promise you will have a smoking good time.’”
Gradnigo, the 47-year-old wife of Reverend Kirk A. Gradnigo of Opelousas, witnessed several moments during her reign that will stay with her forever.
“Some of the most memorable moments of my reign are helping to fix the Veterans Wall displayed at the festival, withstanding the heat during the festival, and watching all the other queens enjoy their day during the festival,” she said.
“I learned that many people enjoy and look forward to my introductions,” she added. “They love when I say, ‘If it runs, jumps, crawls or flies, and if you can kill it, I can smoke it.’ I also include, ‘After tasting my smoked meat, the only thing you will be able to say is umm umm c’est c’est bon!’”
During Gradnigo’s reign, she has had the opportunity to visit a variety of festival pageants across La. including the Lecompte Pie Festival Pageant, the Arnaudville Etouffee Festival Pageant, and the Louisiana Pecan Festival Pageant.
After her reign ends, she looks foward for what the future holds in store. “My future plans include possibly retiring from pageant competition,” she said. “I am looking forward to judging, emceeing, and pageant coaching. I am also looking forward to being a GiGi (grandmother) to my first grandchild who is scheduled to arrive this July.”
She also offered her thoughts on what it takes to be considered a good festival queen along with some advice to her successor as Ms. Smoked Meat Queen. “In order to be a good festival or city queen, it takes dedication and commitment.,” she said. “The queen must understand that they are representing an organization. A queen must always dress, talk, and behave in a respectable manner even when she is not in crown and banner. If you are not willing to abide by the rules of the organization and dedicate a year to represent the organization, don’t compete.”
“To my successor, enjoy your reign,” she continued. “Travel as often as possible. Be there to support your sister queens. Represent this festival with grace, class and dignity.”
Gradnigo wished to thank the many people who have supported her during her reign this past year. “I would like to thank my husband Kirk Gradnigo for understanding that I would be away from home most weekends,” she said. “I would like to thank my daughters Ariel and Kenya. Special thanks to Kenya for traveling with me during her reign as Miss Washington Catfish Festival Queen.”
“Thanks to the Directors and all my sister queens. Special thanks to my Teen Queen Zoe Courville, Little Miss Queen Zoe Traore and Wee Master King Riley Traore.”