Queen Cotton LXVIII: Borne to reign over festival

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Associate Editor

Amber Hope Borne, age 23 of Lutcher, was crowned Queen Cotton LXVIII during the 68th Annual Queen Cotton Coronation held Saturday evening, October 15, at the Northside Civic Center.
Borne is the daughter of Hope and Troy Borne of Lutcher. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Northwestern State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education. While attending Northwestern, Borne held leadership roles in Phi Mu Kappa Iota as house committee head and secretary.
Borne’s future plans include growing in her career as an educator to make sure all children receive kindness, love and compassion both inside and outside of the classroom. Her passion and goal is to develop fast food farms around the state to teach the youth the importance of agriculture and how it is the root of our existence.
Borne decided to compete for the title of Queen Cotton to show the passion and love she has for Louisiana agriculture and share her passion with others. She also wanted the opportunity to represent all of the hard working people of Louisiana’s cotton industry and the Louisiana Cotton Festival board. Borne said, “I feel this title will enable me to educate, promote and support our local farmers and our festival. This title will never be about me, but about the people who keep the Louisiana cotton tradition alive and flourishing.”
In addition to Borne being crowned Queen Cotton LXVIII, King Cotton LXVIII Jerry Hale was also crowned. Other festival royalty, including Colonel Cotton Gene Burge, Parade Marshal Connie Acosta Lamke and La Reine Bernadine Fontenot were also presented during the pageant festivities.