Hanging up her pageant spurs

“Even though this is my first and only title, I have dreamed about being Miss Tournoi Queen since I was a little girl,” admits outgoing Tournoi Queen Jeanne Fontenot. She adds, “My father, Paul Fontenot, Jr., was a rider for most of my young life.”
The 20-year-old’s mother is Amy Powell Fontenot, and she is the granddaughter of June Powell and Steve Powell. She is currently employed as a Para (teacher aide) at Bayou Chicot Elementary. Her future plans include continuing to work with children in the education department.
Fontenot shares, “The most memorable moments from my reign are traveling to different parishes and learning about the different festivals and meeting the most kind and beautiful girl representing their titles.” She continues, “I have traveled to 10 different festivals, and all of them are unique in their own way.”
One of the highlights of Fontenot’s reign was traveling. She says, “My favorite thing about traveling was meeting all of my ‘Rhinestone Sisters.’ They were all so sweet and so kind and caring.” She recalls, “I was about to miss one event because I didn't have a dress for the pageant, but my sisters wouldn't let that happen. Within 10 minutes, former Miss Zwolle Loggers and Forestry Jenna Gray offered me three dresses to wear, and she gave them to me so I wouldn’t miss out on anything. Without the help of the other girls, I would have missed an amazing experience that I will never forget.”
Fontenot notes It takes a lot to be a great queen, saying, “You have to be kind to all and helpful to those who need it most. You also need to have love for your title and what it stands for.”
“I have learned a lot about myself throughout my reign,” Fontenot realizes, “But I have learned that not a lot of people know that something like Tournoi even exists, even in our own town, so I tried my best to spread the word about Tournoi and all the history that goes along with it.”
To her successor, who will be crowned on Saturday, August 28, Fontenot shares, “Being crowned Miss Tournoi Queen has given me many experiences, friends and memories that I will never forget.” She encourages them to, “Enjoy the whole experience and go to as many events as you can, because it goes by very fast. Don't stress and have fun.”
Before crowning her successor, Fontenot states, “I would like to thank Rachael Saucier and the rest of the Tournoi Association for all of their help, support and advice. Also, I would like to thank my family for supporting me throughout my whole reign.”