“And the 2019 Peanut Queen Is….”

Eight Young Ladies Vying For the Crown

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

GRAPELAND – The lights will dim, a drum roll will be heard and the seconds will become hours. Then, after what may have seemed like forever for one lucky young lady, the 2019 Peanut Queen will be crowned. Tears of joy will be shed, hugs will be exchanged and thunderous applause will be heard throughout the Lorena Schoultz Auditorium on Saturday, Oct. 19 as the 2019 Peanut Festival comes to a close. 

The 74^th Annual Peanut Festival Queen’s competition will feature eight young ladies vying for the tiara. In alphabetical order, the contestants are: Cheyenne Bowman; Carmen Coldiron; Haylee Cryer; Cadie Belle Currie; Alyssa Dilli; Keaundra (KeKe) Harris; Cayden LeBlanc; and Carmen Page.

Following a rehearsal on Tuesday, Sept. 17, the elite eight took time to speak with The Messenger. All eight were asked the same questions and while many of their answers were similar, a few were distinctly different. The eight young ladies all expressed preparation for the show was difficult, but each agreed it was a fun experience because – among other things – it provided an opportunity for them to get to know one another a little better.

The eight young ladies were asked: 1) who their sponsor was; 2) why did they decide to run for the 2019 Peanut Queen’s crown; 3) what it would mean to be crowned as the 2019 Peanut Queen; and 4) what were their plans after high school.

Leading off the interviews was Cadie Belle Currie, Miss George Bartee Construction.

As to why she decided to run, Cadie Belle said, “I decided to run for Peanut Queen because I wanted to be a good role model for our community. Also, a lot of little kids look up to me in sports and I figured maybe I could be a role model in something other than softball.”

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If she were to be crowned as the 2019 Peanut Queen, Cadie Belle expressed, “It would mean a lot to me because I could help the community by talking to the girls and letting them now you have to have personality behind you and not just all looks.”

After she graduates in May, Cadie Belle said she plans to attend St. Edward’s University in Austin where she will play softball and study forensic science. 

KeKe Harris, Miss Best Friends Community Service, was the next contestant for the 2019 Peanut Queen’s crown to discuss the pageant. 

“I feel like running for Peanut Queen will help teach me a lot of life lessons. For one, we learn how to do interviews which I will need to know how to do. I also feel like it gives me a chance to be a role model to the younger girls who look up to me.

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After she graduates in May, KeKe said she plans to attend college “… in hopes of becoming a physical therapist.”     

If she were to be crowned as the 2019 Peanut Queen, KeKe smiled and said, “It would mean a lot! I feel like this is a big thing in our community. By winning – this hits closer to home. My mother didn’t do this. I would be the first one in my family to actually do this – and to win – it would mean a lot to her and to me.” 

The third contestant was Cheyenne Bowman, Miss Elite Fitness. When asked why she decided to run for Peanut Queen, Cheyenne said, “I personally ran to step outside of my comfort zone. I would like to represent Grapeland and Elite Fitness well. I wanted to run to better myself and to grow.”

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If she were to be crowned as the 2019 Peanut Queen, Cheyenne expressed, “It would really mean a lot to me just by being able to represent Grapeland and Elite Fitness.”

Cheyenne said after high school, she plans to attend college but was still undecided as to where.

“I do plan to major in education and become a US History teacher. I would also like to come back home to Grapeland to teach,” she said. 

Up next was Haylee Cryer, Miss Grapeland Farm and Ranch.

“I feel like I had a void inside of me that I needed to fill. I feel like this would give me that chance and it gives me the opportunity to create really great memories,” she said.

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If she were to be crowned as the 2019 Peanut Queen, Haylee expressed, “I think it will build a confidence in me. I guess I would feel looked up to and I could help others.   It would mean the world to me, actually!”

After she graduates in May, Haylee said she would like to work towards her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and follow that up with a Master’s in psychology counseling.

“I would like to further my education and become a licensed psychological counselor,” she explained.

Carmen Page, Miss Grapeland Noon Lions Club, was the next Peanut Queen contestant to discuss her reason for entering the pageant.

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“I decided to run for Peanut Queen because I mentored down at the elementary this past year. I still mentor down there and mentored for all the little girls. I made an impact in their lives and I would like to continue to do that. I ran for Peanut Queen for all the little girls who sit back here and watch,” she explained.  

If she were to be crowned as the 2019 Peanut Queen, Carmen said, “It would mean a lot to me because I would be able to win not just for myself, but for those little girls pulling for me to win. The scholarship is nice and the title is great too, but it would mean a lot to me just for the little girls who sit back here and think ‘That’s going be me one day. Maybe I can be Miss Grapeland Noon Lions Club and win just like she did.’ That would be incredible!”

As to her future plans, Carmen said, “I’m going to college but I haven’t made up my mind completely on where I want to go yet. I’m going to study teaching. I hope to get my Bachelor’s and then my Master’s. After I teach for a little bit, I’m going to become a principal. I want to make an impact on Grapeland, Texas.”

Cayden LeBlanc, Miss Grapeland Volunteer Fire Department, was the next contestant and said she decided to run for Peanut Queen “… because I want to be with my friends, make memories and be able to represent Grapeland in a positive way.”          

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After graduation, Cayden said would like to become a pharmacist.

“I want to attend Sam Houston (State University), major in chemistry and then apply to pharmacy school,” she said.

If she were to be crowned as the 2019 Peanut Queen, Cayden smiled and said, “It would be absolutely amazing because I would be able to represent Grapeland all over and be a good role model to other girls around the area.”

Up next was Alyssa Dilli, Miss Houston County Air Conditioning and Heating.

“I ran for Peanut Queen because I wanted more adult-life experiences. I want to be more professional. I want to learn how to do interviews the correct way and present myself in a professional manner. I also like the scholarship opportunities and I want to be a role model,” Alyssa said.

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If she were to win, Alyssa said, “The title comes with such responsibility in our community and being a good example, it would mean a lot to me to win. It would be an honor. People don’t really understand how much responsibility comes with this and how much we – as contestants – go through just to be in it. It would mean a lot to win it. We all work hard – and it would just mean a lot.”

Following her May graduation, Alyssa said she plans on attending Texas A&M University where she hopes to major in chemical engineering.  

Last, but certainly not least, was Carmen Coldiron, Miss Houston County Equipment.

When asked why she decided to run for Peanut Queen, Carmen said, “I decided to run for Peanut Queen because I’ve been coming to the Peanut Festival and watching the pageant since I was five. It has been a childhood dream of mine. I’ve watched friends of mine win and I love Grapeland and I love the people here, so being able to participate in this is awesome.”  

If she were to be crowned as the 2019 Peanut Queen, Carmen lit up like a Christmas tree.

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“It would mean the absolute world! Like I said, it has been a childhood dream of mine since I was five. Every single one of the contestants are beautiful and talented and to win would mean the absolute world!” she exclaimed.  

Her future plans include attending the University of Texas at Austin where she will pursue a degree in mass communications “… and then I will move to New York City and get another degree in musical theater.”

The Messenger staff would like to wish all the contestants the best of luck as they compete for the title of Miss Peanut Queen 2019.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].