Queen Cotton LXXI Chloe Lynn Guilbeau

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Associate Editor

Outgoing Queen Cotton LXXI Chloe Lynn Guilbeau has had an amazing year representing the Louisiana Cotton Festival as Queen Cotton LXXI and shares, “I have not held any other titles prior to this one, and I am incredibly grateful that this title has been my one and only.” She adds, “I think that has given me an even deeper appreciation for every moment of my reign. Knowing this would be my only year as a festival queen made me hold every experience, every friendship, and every memory that much closer to my heart.”
“Being crowned as the 71st Louisiana Cotton Festival Queen,” Guilbeau says, “has given me opportunities and experiences that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I have had the privilege of traveling across our great state while educating others about the cotton industry, the hardworking farmers behind it, and the Louisiana Cotton Festival in Ville Platte.”
Guilbeau, the 24-year-old daughter of Jacob and Amanda Guilbeau of Rayne, and granddaughter of Victor and Terrie Matte and the late Larry and Julia Whitehouse, is a graduate of Rayne High School. She earned an Associate’s Degree in General Studies from Louisiana State University at Eunice and is currently employed as a Commercial Loan Assistant at Washington State Bank in Eunice. She is also a member of the Eunice Rotary Club and Our Savior’s Church in Lafayette. Guilbeau is currently studying to obtain her notary license and plans to return to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in finance and eventually pursue a Master of Business Administration.
Throughout her reign, Guilbeau has made many memories, which she says, “makes closing this chapter of my life that much harder.” She notes, “I danced in the rain in Plaquemine, held alligators in Cameron, sang ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to strangers during the Parade of Flowers in New Orleans, and listened as my sister queens shared their wishes for me and my future during my Queen’s Weekend.”
However, Guilbeau admits, “One of the greatest honors of my reign was being presented at the Mystic Krewe of Louisianians Mardi Gras Ball in Washington, D.C. This experience allowed me to meet many state and national leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson, and share with them the importance of an industry and festival that I hold so close to my heart.” She shares, “While each of these memories holds a special place in my heart, nothing compares to the pure joy and pride I have felt representing the Louisiana Cotton Festival, our farmers, and the cotton industry throughout this incredible year.”
As Queen Cotton LXXI, Guilbeau attended more than 50 festivals and events across Louisiana. “I had the opportunity to experience traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation and learn about the industries, communities, and people that make our state so special.” She says, “One of the most meaningful traditions I experienced, though, happened right at home. After I was crowned, I was surrounded by my board, fellow queens, family, and friends as they sang the Cotton Queen Song to me. It is a tradition the Louisiana Cotton Festival has kept alive year after year, and hearing it sung to me as the newly crowned queen is a moment I will never forget.”
During her year as Queen Cotton LXXI, Guilbeau has learned countless valuable lessons and gained an even greater appreciation for the traditions behind the Louisiana Cotton Festival. But, she says, “Perhaps the most important thing I learned was something about myself. I learned that I am capable of being a leader and standing tall in rooms I once would have been afraid to enter. I have always been shy and often found myself falling into the background out of fear of being seen. This year reminded me of the courage that had been inside me all along. Being the Louisiana Cotton Festival Queen gave me the confidence to use my voice, take up space, and be proud of the woman and leader I have become.”
To her successor, Guilbeau shares, “I believe being a queen takes so much more than simply donning a crown and banner. A queen should take pride in herself and in the industry, festival, and community she represents. She should be kind, approachable, and willing to serve others.” She continues, “Most importantly, I believe a queen should be a leader. We are given the responsibility of carrying traditions and passions that existed long before us and helping ensure they continue long after our reigns are over. A good queen should leave her title, festival, and community a little better than she found them and inspire others to continue carrying those traditions forward.”
Guilbeau also encourages her successor to, “Do everything you do with pride and grace. Take every chance, say yes to every opportunity, and never take a single moment for granted. Most importantly, be the kind of queen and leader that you would have looked up to when you were a little girl. One day, you will realize that there is another little girl looking at you the exact same way.”
It takes a village to reign as a festival queen for a year and Guilbeau states, “First and foremost, I would like to thank God for blessing me with this season of my life and for guiding me every step of the way.” She adds, “I would also like to thank my parents, my board, the Louisiana Cotton Festival, the City of Ville Platte, and every person who welcomed and supported me throughout my reign. To our farmers, thank you for continuing to work day in and day out to sustain an industry that means so much to our state and our communities.” She continues, “Finally, thank you to my friends and family who celebrated every milestone, traveled countless miles, encouraged me through the long days, and reminded me to enjoy every second.”
Before crowing her successor, Guilbeau reflects on her incredible year, proclaiming, “Being the 71st Louisiana Cotton Festival Queen has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I will forever be grateful for the people I met, the places I traveled, the lessons I learned, and the memories I made. Long after the crown is passed on, a piece of my heart will always belong to the Louisiana Cotton Festival and the cotton industry I was so blessed to represent.”