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Haskell girl is Miss Snake Charmer |
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Written by Kimberly Gray
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Friday, 13 March 2009 |
Lealonnie Alvarez of Haskell took home the 50th Sweetwater Jaycees Miss Snake Charmer crown Thursday night. Alvarez is the daughter of Alberto and Julio Alvarez and is a junior at Haskell High School.
One of the highlights of the program was the special guests - past Snake Charmer queens. Around 20 participated in the show in honor of the pageant's 50th year. They introduced themselves after the 2009 contestants and later gave some information about themselves, giving a sort of “Where Are They Now?” presentation. They were also presented with a certificate and a rose.
Later in the show a special slide show of photos from most of the past 49 queens was presented with music.
Even the first Miss Snake Charmer, Nelda Smith Hedges, crowned in 1960, made it to Thursday night's contest and served as grand marshal of the parade earlier in the day. She came all the way from North Carolina. “I have had such a great time,” she said. “Everyone was so nice, and the girls have done an outstanding job. I'm so glad to be here.”
Hedges crowned Alvarez as the 2009 Miss Snake Charmer. The 2008 Miss Snake Charmer, Sarah Rees, was unable to attend due to a conflict, but recorded a video for her farewell.
Alvarez also was part of a three-way tie in the talent competition. She sang Sugarland's “Why Don't You Stay,” while accompanying herself on guitar. The other talent winners were Leslee Rea of Sweetwater and Kristin Hyde of Nolan. Rea, the daughter of Deni Rea and Randall Rea, sang Sarah Evans song, “Suds in the Bucket.” Hyde played a classical piece on the piano, “Twelve Spanish Dances.”
Hyde also won first runner-up. She is the daughter of Duane and Cyree Hyde and a senior at Highland High School.
Kelsi Johnson took home second runner-up honors. She is the daughter of Shawn and Kelly Gilbreath of Merkel and is a student at Cisco Junior College. Her talent was a dance routine.
Kylan Hancock was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Hancock is the daughter of Sharon Stone of Sweetwater and is a senior at Sweetwater High School.
The other contestants were Adrienne Aguilar, BreAnn Gotcher, Carlee Harrell, Karah Davis, all of Sweetwater, Jessica Morrow of Nolan, Lisa Roys of Merkel and Shelby Cheek of Abilene.
The first pageant was held in 1960, the year following the first Rattlesnake Round-Up. The Jaycees started the pageant because they wanted someone to represent them and Sweetwater at various events.
Laura Gilbert, one of the organizers of the pageant for the past 20-plus years, said the pageant has not always been held on Thursday prior to the Round-Up. It was originally held on Saturday. Now, the newly crowned queen takes part in all activities of Round-Up weekend.
Another change is that up until the 1990s there was no talent competition. Gilbert explained that once they made the pageant a scholarship pageant, they decided to make winning it more of a challenge and added a talent portion to the contest.
The queen takes home $1250 in scholarship monies, and the first runner-up earns $600 while the second runner-up goes home with $400. The talent winners take home $250.
The contestants also participate in a casual wear and evening wear competition and are interviewed by the judges in the afternoon prior to the pageant.
Hedges said that at one time they even had a swimsuit competition, according to what she heard from other past queens and contestants.
Gilbert said she has enjoyed seeing the pageant make a difference for girls who have participated by boosting their self-esteem and encouraging them to try things they have not tried before. She has seen at least three past queens go on to compete at Miss Texas.
She added that after only three talent rehearsals on stage and three dress rehearsals, she is always amazed at how well the pageant comes together and how “quick the girls get it.”
See more from the Miss Snake Charmer Pageant in Sunday's edition of the Sweetwater Reporter. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 16 March 2009 )
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