Alexandra Martin, Jenna Beber shine at Sugar Queen Pageant
Published 12:02 am Wednesday, August 16, 2017
- Heather Roussel crowns Alexandra Martin St. John Sugar Queen in 2017 inside St. John Theatre. (Candace Hemelt/L’OBSERVATEUR)
RESERVE — It wasn’t something she had long dreamed of but a fateful conversation with a St. John Parish Sugar Queen Pageant mainstay changed Alexandra Martin’s life.
Martin, honestly, said she never thought about participating in pageants until speaking with chief local Sugar Queen supporter Baba Oncale.
The conversation’s result proved fortuitous as Martin was named Miss St. John Parish Sugar Queen Saturday night during the 69th St. John Parish Sugar Queen Pageant.
Teen Sugar Jenna Beber takes the stage Saturday following her crowning inside St. John Theatre.
“I am so glad that I talked to Baba and did join, because I absolutely love it,” Martin said in the moments after receiving her crown.
Martin, the daughter of Russell and Arlene Martin, said there was so much going on in her head and inside St. John Theatre in the moments before it was revealed that either Carley Hoover or herself was taking home the crown.
Pure adrenaline is a good way to describe it.
Martin said she hopes to use her crown and newly earned title to let others know more about sugar and how much it impacts Louisiana, the community and economy.
Natalie Robottom, Jenna Beber, Alexandra Martin and Michael Wright are all smiles.
“This means I get to share our sugar story across our community, state and festivals and shine some light onto it for our youth,” Martin said. “I’m really excited to do so.”
Martin, 18, of LaPlace is a senior at Mount Carmel Academy. She plans to study hotel and hospitality management in college.
The honor student is also an accomplished drama performer, who sings, plays the piano and enjoys photography.
The other big winner Saturday night was Jenna Beber, daughter of Jason and Shanna Beber.
Beber was crowned Teen Queen.
“I’ve been looking for a pageant for a while and this one seemed like a good one to do,” Beber said.
According to the 15-year-old Riverside Academy sophomore, the moments before her crowning were filled with plenty of excitement and lots of prayers.
“I’m excited to travel and meet new people,” Beber said.
According to Beber, she would like to pursue a career in education at Southeastern Louisiana University.
The honor school student would also like to write children’s books.
She participates in band, softball and drama.
Organizers say The Sugar Pageant promotes pride in St. John the Baptist Parish, adding local queens have been outstanding ambassadors in statewide competition and community events.
Others who participated for Miss included Carley Hoover, Kaitlyn Landry and Jessica Stanford. Others who participated for Teen Queen included Sheridan Baughman, Emily Duhe, Trinity Hill, Emma Palermo, Alicia Perret, Patience Pray and Tabitha Tregre.
— Candace Hemelt contributed to this report.
