Bidding a royal farewell

Miss Louisiana Tournoi Queen
Bethany Thibodeaux
Bethany Thibodeaux plans on someday opening her own hair salon. In doing so, she will take with her the memories she has made while representing the Louisiana Tournoi as its queen.
“Some great highlights from my reign is going to Queen of Queens because I got to see so much and to meet wonderful people from all over the state,” she said.
Thibodeaux is the 20-year-old daughter of Britt Thibodeaux and Bridgette Deville. She attends cosmetology school at Louisiana Academy of Beauty and enjoys hanging out with friends and family, shopping, and napping.
“Being crowned Miss Louisiana Tournoi Queen has given me the opportunity to travel the state of Louisiana and to teach others,” she commented. “During my reign I have learned to always remain confident because someone is always looking up to you. Also the running of the Tournoi is such a unique tradition, and it is important for it to stay alive.”
Thibodeaux also had the opportunity to represent Ville Platte and the Louisiana Tournoi at other pageants and events around the state. “I visited multiple other pageants,” she said. “I enjoyed the Mardi Gras pageants because you get to see all of the creative ideas other queens come up with.”
She is no stranger to the pageant circuit. As Thibodeaux said, “I have held other titles, and I have enjoyed each one of them and learned a lot from each title.”
The Miss Louisiana Tournoi Queen shared her thoughts on what it takes to be a good queen as well as some advice for her successor that will be crowned Saturday, September 9. “I think it takes dedication to be a good queen because you’re representing and promoting an organization to the best of your ability. To my successor, I say to never take any moment for granted because it goes by very fast. Always try to travel as much as you can and remember to always have fun and make friends.”
“I would like to thank my mom for doing everything she has done for me during my reign as Tournoi Queen. I know it wasn’t easy, but it was all worth it,” concluded Thibodeaux.

Junior Tournoi Queen
Meghan Layne Miller
As Meghan Layne Miller prepares to cede her crown to a new Junior Tournoi Queen, she has taken away a greater appreciation of the area’s Cajun culture as well as the Louisiana Tournoi during her two-year reign.
“My appreciation for our state specifically Cajun country has grown significantly” she said. “The history of the Tournoi is so interesting and unique. It is truly one of a kind!”
Miller is the daughter of Lucas and Maddie Miller and is the granddaughter of Luther Miller and the late Barbara Coutee and Ted and Deanie McWhirter.
When she is not competing in pageants, Miller is a freshman at Eunice High. Her hobbies include art, dance, and singing. She also belongs to Frontline Youth Worship Team at Faith Christian Worship Center in Eunice. “My future plans are to graduate high school and attend Art Institute in Nashville and possibly teach art,” she said.
The title of Junior Tournoi Queen was Miller’s first as a festival pageant contestant. She also holds the distinction of being the first queen to hold the title for two years in a row. “Unfortunately this was due to the devastating floods in August of 2016,” she said. “During that time I was able to see area cities and festival queens and associations band together to support and encourage one another, as well as assist with rebuilding.”
She has well represented Ville Platte and the Louisiana Tournoi during her two years as junior queen. “Being crowned has given me the opportunity to travel to different festivals, meet other queens, and learn more about our state and each cities unique celebration,” she said. “I have visited the Cotton Festival, Smoked Meat, Boggy Bayou, Mamou Cajun Music Festival, Frog Festival, Etoufee’ Festival, Etoufee’ Cookoff, Sulphur Mines, Miss Allen Parish, of course the Tournoi, to name a few.”
Miller offered up advice to the new Junior Tournoi Queen as well as her opinions on what it takes to be a good queen. “Being a good festival queen first requires learning as much as you can about the festival you represent then finding opportunities to tell others about it,” she said. “My advice to my successor is to travel as much as you can! Our state has so much to offer with unique celebrations and food. Our festivals are fun and it’s a great opportunity to tell others about what Ville Platte and the Tournoi have to offer!”
“There are so many people that have made these two years a success such as the Tournoi association and directors, my parents and family, my coach Karli, and of course my Miss Queen Bethany.”