LUTCHER — Sydney Catherine Poche started thinking about being Miss Festival of the Bonfires when she was a young girl.

The Paulina resident has been attending the bonfires festival as long as she can remember.

“Each year I would see the queens,” she said. “I would gaze at their crowns and see the love that they had for the festival. Ever since then, I started thinking about the day that I would represent this festival as their Miss Queen.”

That day came last week when she was named Miss Festival of the Bonfires XXVI during the 26th annual Miss Festival of the Bonfires Pageant at Lutcher High School.

Poche said the bonfire tradition has been in her family for many generations.

“I have never missed a Christmas Eve on the levee,” Poche said. “My dad has such a love for this tradition, and that is where I get it from. My dad and I have such a special bond when it comes to this tradition, along with the rest of my family. We will continue this tradition for as long as we can.”

Poche, the 18-year-old daughter of Raymond and Ginger Poche, is a freshman at Nicholls State University, where she is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

She enjoys competitive dance, reading and building bonfires with her father and brothers.

Poche also won the Pageant’s Fashion award.

“When it comes to my fashion sense, it is usually very simple on a day-to-day basis, but when it comes to pageants, I love to stand out,” she said. “My friend Denise Moran and I always talk about what’s best for me when I walk out on stage. She actually picked the dress that I wore the night of the pageant, so it is safe to say that she is my fashion advisor.”

Other winners in the Miss division were Ashley Tucker, first runner up and Miss Sparkler Award; Morgan Tyler, second runner up and photogenic; Mary Lynn Detillier, third runner up; and Rylie Bourg, People’s Choice Award.

Amber Hope Theisges of Paulina proved to be the pageant’s other big winner, as she was crowned Teen Miss Festival of the Bonfires XVII.

Theisges, the 16-year-old daughter of Douglas Theisges and Hope and Troy Borne, is a junior at Lutcher High School, where she is a member of the soccer team.

Theisges said she was “shocked” when the Festival of the Bonfires Committee called her name as Teen Miss Festival of the Bonfires.

“I couldn’t help but just cry,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do. The Festival of Bonfires and the lighting of the bonfires on Christmas Eve have always had a special place in my heart. I’m so proud I get to represent this amazing tradition that my hometown loves so dearly.”

She enjoys baby sitting, fishing and spending time with friends and family. Theisges also won the Teen Miss Sparkler award.

“The reaction at school has been great,” she said. “Many of my teachers, friends and fellow students have congratulated me, and have told me they are happy and proud of me. I’m just glad everyone is treating me the same, because I wouldn’t want to be treated any other way then a regular student.”

The community is invited to join the newly crowned queens at the Festival of the Bonfires Dec. 11-13.

“I’m so excited to see what the festival weekend has in store for everyone,” Theisges said. “I can’t wait to taste all the gumbo at the cook off, run in my first 5k race and see all the beautiful contestants for baby pageant. The festival weekend will be so much fun. I hope everyone come out and have some fun too. Most importantly I can’t wait to see our community come together as we all enjoy our unique Cajun Christmas tradition and keep this Bonfire Season alive.”

Other winners in the teen division were Kami Hymel, first runner up; Abby Dufresne, second runner up; Demi Clement, third runner up and photogenic; Samantha King, fashion; and Cassidy Mistretta People’s Choice award.

Poche and Theisges will be traveling across Louisiana for the next year representing the Festival of the Bonfires and the unique tradition St. James Parish residents and those in the surrounding River Region hold so dear to their hearts.