DHS queen goes bowling
Queen Elizabeth isn’t the only one making headlines. Donaldsonville High School’s 2012 Homecoming queen is too. Kenya Madison was selected to represent Louisiana for the Homecoming Queens at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. on Dec. 31.
“It feels good,” Madison said, who is the DHS senior class vice-president. “I was very happy and proud of myself for winning.”
Madison said she applied, sent in a picture and was selected. Showing her humility and modesty, she was hesitant to talk about her high school resume that included being part of the volleyball softball teams, the Beta club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) club.
While in Memphis during Bowl Week, the Queens enjoyed a many events and activities.
The event gave Madison, the other Queens and their families the opportunity to meet each other and prepare for a memorable week in the Bluff City.
On the day before the game, the annual St. Jude Tour and Queens Luncheon was held at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Each Queen was adorned in a special outfit designed exclusively for the Queens for this special appearance in the Bowl’s annual parade in front of thousands of fans. During halftime of the game between Iowa State and Tulsa, Madison and the others will be presented.
“It’ll look good on my college application because it’s a big opportunity,” Madison said.
Before she left to go to Memphis, Dr. Esrom Pitre, DHS’s principal, presented Madison with a check to help with the costs occurred on the trip. He said it was just a “token of appreciation” as she goes out to represent DHS and the city of Donaldsonville.
“She’s been an awesome queen and our sponsors have helped out and the individuals on campus who run clubs and organizations have helped out,” Pitre said about the check. “All of them pitched in and donated something toward helping her with some of the expenses that will be incurred on that trip.”
Pitre said he was extremely proud of Madison and said he knows that she is going to represent “us really well.”
“I’m excited because as far as I know we haven’t had a queen in a bowl like this,” Pitre said. “To be selected is a great honor. Again, the more we can shine some light on these awesome students that we have here, that’s just a blessing to have them all here working as hard as they can.”
Pitre added: “I’m proud of all the students here. Today we are having our P.B.S. party and the majority of our school is celebrating and having a good time. When we look at the incidents, we have really gotten the school’s culture under control. We are striving for excellence and as a principal that really all I can ask for; that the kids continue to push themselves, compete and hold each other to high academic standards.”