By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – An entertaining evening at St. John Theatre, which hosted the annual St. John Sugar Queen Pageant Saturday, was crowned, literally, when Catherine Monica was named Sugar Queen LXII.

Monica, who is the daughter of former St. John Parish President and current state Rep. Nickie Monica, explained her feelings after the win.

“Amazing and surprised,” she said. “I’m so happy and excited.”

Her father shared similar feelings.

“I’m so proud of her. I knew she was a sweet young lady, but this proves it,” he said.

Monica was new to the pageant circuit, so the win came as even more of a shock to her, but she gained a little confidence from the interview, held earlier that day at the Port of South Louisiana.

“It went pretty well,” she said, adding, “Sugar was definitely the one I wanted to be involved in.”

Before the 10 contestants were introduced to the audience, an entertaining array of New Orleans-themed songs had the audience clapping while Master of Ceremonies Mike Hoover and Mistress of Ceremonies Bridget Boe O’Connor — a former Sugar Queen herself — kept things rolling. Everything played out in front of a backdrop decorated with glittery fleur de lis and Mardi Gras masks.

A short intermission followed the presentation of contestants, when each young lady was escorted by a representative from their sponsoring agency. Each contestant had a sponsor that covered the costs associated with the pageant.

The second half of the show switched gears to one that was a bit more pageant-like.

Sugar Queen LXI Candace McGaff took her final walk across the stage and gave an emotional speech regarding the past year.

“Growing up I wasn’t exactly a pageant queen, but look at me now,” she said.

She also welcomed a slew of visiting queens as well as George “Scrap” Hymel, the St. James sugar farmer who was named King Sucrose last year.

A fashion show featuring tuxedoes from Formal Connection and performed to the Saints’ anthem, “Get Crunk,” kept the mood lively. Formal Connection owner Ronnie White — carrying a faux Lombardi Trophy — even joined the young men onstage for the conclusion of the number.

Finally, the big moment arrived as the MCs announced this year’s winners. Aside from Monica taking home the top honors, Lacey Volion won People’s Choice and Photogenic, Rachel Sellers won Congeniality, Brittany Peppo won Fashion and was third runner up, Sarah Klibert was second runner up and Kristen Levron was first runner up.

After the show Hi Sugar Specialist Barbara “BaBa” Oncale felt satisfied with the evening’s proceedings.

“I thought we had 10 beautiful girls, and I couldn’t tell who was going to win,” she said as tears welled up. “They’re all queens in my eyes.”