Prior Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Queens

Amanda Monique Jones – 2006-2007

My name is Amanda Monique Jones, but I am known as “Monique”. I am the 31 st Annual Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Queen. I am the 18 year old daughter of Eddie and Monica Jones. My paternal grandparents are Eddie and Sue Jones of Florien La. My maternal grandparents are Mackie and Barbara Thaxton of Fisher La. I have two brothers, Brady 15, and Brennan 6.

I am a 2006 graduate of Florien High School. I was Valedictorian, student of the year, Miss F.H.S, and was inducted into Florien High School Hall of Fame. I was very active in my school activities. I enjoyed the clubs and organizations that I was a part of such as; Beta, Student Council, SADD and Peer Leader. I also enjoyed cheering throughout my high school career grades 7-12. I am currently enrolled at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches La where I am a freshmen and majoring in secondary education.

I’m a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Florien La. I am an active member of the College and Career class at my church. I enjoy teaching the young children (Kindergarten -1 st Grade) on Sunday nights.

My hobbies are: Shopping, reading, camping, playing yahtzee with my family, teaching my Sunday night class at church, and spending quality time with family and friends .

I would like to thank Randy and Mona Sandel of Sabine Manufactured Homes for sponsoring me in the Tamale Fiesta pageant. I would also like to thank my family for helping me prepare for that big night. I am proud to be representing the Tamale Fiesta and the town of Zwolle as the 31 st Annual Miss Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Queen.

Leanna MarKay Martinez - 2005-2006

My name is Leanna MarKay Martinez and I am the 30th Annual Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Queen. I am the 20 year old daughter of Mark and Donna Martinez. My paternal grandparents are A.T. and Nannette Martinez of Shreveport. My maternal grandparents are Jake Procell and the late Janie Procell of Noble. My godparents are Thomas and Jeanette Garcie of Zwolle. I have two brothers, Stephen and Jason, an older sister, Laura, and one nephew, Brentley. 

I am a 2004 graduate of Ebarb High School. I was Valedictorian of my class and very active in basketball and cheerleading. I was also involved in many clubs and organizations such as Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and BETA. 

I am currently enrolled at the University of Louisiana at Monroe where I am majoring in pre-pharmacy. At ULM I’m involved in Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Emerging Scholars Graduate Studies Program, and Hometown Indians Recruiting. I am currently a sophomore and I plan on applying to the College of Pharmacy in Monroe in the fall. 

I’m a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Zwolle, Louisiana. In the past I have served as a church lector and was also a member of the youth choir. 

My hobbies include shopping, spending time with my family & friends, reading, cooking, and going to the movies. 

I would like to thank my parents for sponsoring me in the pageant and also everyone else that helped me prepare for that night. I am proud to be representing the Tamale Fiesta and the town of Zwolle as the 30th Annual Miss Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Queen.

Autumn Lynne Burkett  2004-2005

Autumn Lynne Burkett of Converse was crowned the 2004 Miss Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Queen at the annual pageant that was held September 18th at Zwolle High School.  Autumn is the 17 year old daughter of Lynn & Kim Burkett of Converse. Autumn’s siblings are Adam, who is in the 6th grade at Converse High school and Ashley Carter who is married to Dusty Carter of Converse.  Her grandparents are Lovell & Carolyn Knowles of Belmont and Will and Annie Jane Burkett of Converse.

     Autumn is a senior at Converse High School where she is active in many clubs and organizations, she is a member of  FCA, FBLA, Beta and The National Honor Society.  She is a varsity cheerleader where she serves as captain.  Autumn also received the Honesty and Integrity award and placed 2nd at the State Literary Rally in Baton Rouge. She is an honor student and maintains a 4.0 GPA.  Autumn was also selected to Who’s Who’s Among American High School Students and was chosen to participate in the M.A.S.H. program at Louisiana Tech this summer where she earned college credit for this course.    Autumn recently received the honor of being named Homecoming Queen at
Converse High School.

     Some of Autumn’s other activities include participating in the Sabine Parish Relay for Life and the March of Dimes Walk.  In her spare time Autumn enjoys scrap booking, shopping, fishing and spending time with her family and friends. 

     Autumn is a member of Fellowship Baptist Church where she serves as an AWANA leader.  Her future plans are to attend college and obtain a career in the medical field.

     Autumn would like to thank her Aunt Carla Burkett for sponsoring her in the pageant and also everyone that helped her prepare for that special night.  It is a night that will never be forgotten, and Autumn is truly honored to be able to represent the town of  Zwolle as their 29th Annual Miss Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Queen. 

Amanda Kathleen Ezernack 2003-2004

28th Annual Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Queen
Bids Farwell

I have attended many of the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Pageants.  I’ve watched a lot of emotional queens say their thank-yous and goodbyes before they crowned another lucky lady.  I never imagined that I would, one day, be the one receiving the crown, much less having to say goodbye to probably one of the best years of my life.  And what a year it has been!

My travels began at the Robeline Heritage Festival.  It was my first parade as Tamale Fiesta Queen so it was a memorable one.  Shortly after, I was off to Crowley for the International Rice Festival where I met Miss Louisiana and I did some rice threshing. I attended the Sabine Freestate Festival Pageant, and later went back to Florien for the parade and festival.  I enjoyed visiting Toledo Nursing Center and playing Bingo with the residents. I then traveled to Colfax, Louisiana for the Pecan Festival.  I met some nice people there and they gave me a tour of their pecan factory. I went to Port Barre for the 18th annual Louisiana Cracklin festival where I sampled some homemade Cracklins. The Natchitoches Christmas Bells, Mayor McCullen, and Ms City of Lights met me at the 77th annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights.  I had a lot of fun in the parade and actually had to duck under low-lying tree branches because my float was so tall.  The experience closest to my heart was traveling to Shreveport with Martin Crooks and the Harley Davidson Shreveport/Bossier Chapter to go and visit Shriners Hospital for Children.  I loved seeing the patients light up from experiencing such simple things.  As a former patient of Shriners myself, I will always cherish this experience. Not only was I a visiting queen at the Negreet Miss Merry Christmas Pageant, I was also an auditor.    The Many Christmas Parade was the first night parade that I was in.  The town of Many looked beautiful lit up with all the Christmas lights.   I traveled to Baton Rouge for the annual Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals’ Queen of Queens Pageant.  I had the honor of being the first Tamale Fiesta Queen to compete in this pageant.  There were over 70 queens participating in the four-day event.  The first annual Myzoo Pet Parade was very unique with all of the pets dressed up in Mardi Gras motif.  I rode in the Battle of Pleasant Hill parade and then went down to the battlegrounds to visit with some of the re-enactors and see the campgrounds.  My little brother Kyle drove me in the Fisher Sawmill Days parade.  I visited with their new queen and other visiting queens.  I enjoyed being back in my hometown for the Zwolle Loggers and Forestry Festival Pageant, parade, and events.  The St. Joseph’s Catholic Church annual Spring Festival Pageant was held, and I was asked to be the emcee.  This was exciting for me because it was my first time doing something like that.  The NSU Folklife Festival was full of history and family.  I loved eating watermelon at the Saline Watermelon Festival, and listening to their band play at the street dance.  In Bunkie, I attended the Corn Festival,  It was a hot day, but it was a good corn shuckin time.  I put on my camouflage and headed south for the Gueydan Duck Festival.  There were numerous queens there also sporting their camouflage for the pageant and parade.

I would like to thank all of you that helped me with my pageant.  I was a first timer, so plenty of it was needed.  Jodi, thanks for all your help and information,  Also thanks to Ms. Debra for creating my beautiful Spanish dress,  Ms Roxanne Kezerle and Terri Remedies for doing my hair and makeup.  Dr. Garland Miller and staff of Zwolle Medical Clinic sponsored me in the pageant and Ms Connie, my other mom and Marsha was at the pageant to support me.  All of your contributions meant a lot to me.

Mr. Floyd Giblin…I loved sharing my reign this past year with you.  Thank you for riding in the Myzoo Pet Parade and Zwolle Loggers and Forestry Festival Parade with me and helping with the Natchitoches Christmas Festival.  It would not have been the same without you there.  I had so much fun with you this past year and look forward to even more fun crazy times.  You are the best king a queen could ask for!

Ms. Brandi Etheridge…you have been such a wonderful pageant director.  You helped me with anything that I needed.  You also supported me throughout my reign especially in Baton Rouge for the Queen of Queens Pageant.  You even provided us with a vehicle for parades when I needed it.  Thanks!

Mr. Martin Crooks, you saved the day so many times this past year by coming through for me when I needed pictures or more cards.  You’re an awesome photographer and I appreciate your kindness.

I never realized how much dedication the festival committee had until I attended their meetings.  Each one of you have supported me and I couldn’t ask for more.  Thank you so very much for your dedication to the Tamale Fiesta and making it the best festival around.  All of your support has been greatly appreciated.

I have also received a lot of publicity through various media sources.  The Sabine Index always ran my articles and put my pictures in the paper.  The Sabine County Reporter in Hemphill, Texas also published articles in their paper for me.  Rodney Jorden of Sabinenews.com posted my articles on the website.  To Mr Tedd Dumas of Baldridge-Dumas Communications, I appreciate your support and use of your studios. Thanks to all of you again!

I would like to thank everyone that had a part in my experience at the Queen of Queens pageant.  Mike and Debbie Gunter, Ms Linda Webb, and Rhonda Cates decorated my bags for the Queens Exchange Party.  St Joseph’s Church allowed us use their hall to stuff all 80 bags.  Ms Candi Rivers and her husband Danny, made a stick horse for me depicting the Tamale Fiesta.  It was very creative and well done.  The Hitchin Post helped me with my western wear for presenting my stick horse.  Everyone there was extremely nice and helpful.  Susan at Kreations Unlimited created an elaborate wreath for the door decoarating competition. It came out beautifully. Thank you Ms. Ann and Mr. Freddie Rivers for your contribution.   I would also like to thank Mr Chris and Ms Becky Loupe of the Tamale Fiesta Committee, Kyle and Emily for traveling to Baton Rouge in support.  Thank you all.

Special thanks to  Nichols for donating materials for my queens bags and queens gifts.  Thank you Ms. Debbie and Ms Holly for your help with my queens display.   Julian Foy Motors also provided beautiful vehicles for me in various parades. 

To Ms Ann Etheridge and Ms Lynette Mitchell.  Without you two, I probably would have been lost half of the time.  You helped me stay up to date with upcoming events, and even helped me get there.  Thank you so much for all you did.

I’d like to Thank Ms. Carolyn Rivers along with Connie and Pat Rivers for my special
Scrap Book Cover that they designed for me.  They did a great job and I appreciate all of your efforts to make my memory book special! 

Thanks to all of my weekend sisters.  Tiffani and Autumn, what can I say?  We had so many fun times this year.  I loved it and I will never forget traveling with you.  Also to my teen queen Brandi Stout.  You are a great girl and I enjoyed attending festivals with you.  Heather, you are probably the sweetest person that I know.  You are a great queen and I hope you enjoy the rest of your reign.  To all of my other weekend sisters, I’ve enjoyed attending your pageants, festivals, and will cherish all of the friendships I’ve made.

I would also like to thank all of my friends.  You have been there with me when yall could.  Meagan, Amanda, Holly and Kyle…you were all there to see me crowned.  Special Thanks to Kyle, Morgan, Jarrad and Lacey for the use of your vehicles.  Thank all of you for your support, traveling with me, and understanding when I was too busy to return your calls or just hang out. 

Probably the people that have been through the most with me this past year is my family.  Mamma, you helped me keep my head on straight this past year.  You never hesitated to help me with anything that I needed, or give up one of your free weekends to travel with me.  You’ve been the best, and I know that a mother-daughter bond is something that can’t be broken.  To my daddy and little brother Kyle, your came to support me at many events even though I know that the whole pageant scene really isn’t your favorite.  Thanks for your support .  My big sis Emily, I can’t even begin to tell you how much you mean to me.  I think you were about as involved in my reign as I was.  You did anything and everything for me that you could do.  You traveled to almost every festival and event with me, fixed my hair, drove me in parades, took pictures, loaned clothes, and you were there for me to lean on many crazy times this year and that’s something that can never be repaid, nor forgotten. You helped me out a lot this year even with a pair of two year olds on your hands.  To the rest of my family, thank you for attending my ball, helping me with my scrapbook, and attending different events of mine.  I am blessed to have such a close and supporting family.  I love you all dearly and I wouldn’t be the person that I am today without yall.

Above all, I thank God.  He has kept me safe this year during my reign and many travel hours.  Remember that All things are possible with God.

To my successor- this upcoming year you will be surrounded by the best of everything.  The best pageant director, the best festival committee, the best weekend sisters, and of course, you’ll be representing the best festival around.  Keep your weekends free because traveling is the best part, and if you need any help or a traveling partner, don’t hesitate to give me a call.  Also, wear your crown with pride and take time to really enjoy your reign because it will be over entirely too soon.  Trust me!

Growing up in Zwolle, I’ve always looked forward to Tamale Fiesta Time.  The Tamale Fiesta always brings many visitors, vendors, and families out to enjoy and celebrate this small town’s heritage, and of course our awesome tamales.  Being able to be your Tamale Fiesta Queen has been an honor for me.  This year has been filled with many wonderful experiences.  Thank you for the opportunity and the memories.  For the last time, I would like to invite you out to my festival held the second weekend in October.  I am and will always be your 28th annual Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Queen, Amanda Kathleen Ezernack.

Note:  Amanda Ezernack is the daughter of Jerry and Cindy Ezernack of Zwolle
Amanda Attends Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA
She has two Siblings, Emily Crow of Natchitoches and Kyle Ezernack a student at Zwolle High School along and has twin nephews, Collyn and Clayton Crow of Natchitoches.

Nina Carol Brandon 2001-2002

Nina Carol Brandon is the 18 year old daughter of Mike and Tatiana Brandon. Nina has one younger brother, Rory. Nina’s maternal grandparents are Teddy A. and Andie Sepulvado and her paternal grandparents are Earl and Joan Brandon, all of Zwolle. Nina’s Godparents are Vanessa Leone and Ronald Brandon, also of Zwolle. 

Nina attended Zwolle High School where she graduated, an honor student, with her class of 2001. During high school, Nina was a very active young lady. She was a member and served our community in the Zwolle 4-H Club for nine years. During her time in 4-H, she earned numerous awards and served as a Sabine Parish Jr. Leader for 5 years. 

Nina has participated as a member of several other organizations in training for her adult life. Among these were, Future Business Leaders of America for 2 years, Future Career and Community Leaders of America for 4 years, Fellowship of Christian Athletes for 4 years, National BETA, an organization for honor students, for 4 years, Library Club for 3 years, Zwolle Lady Hawk team member for 4 years, one of which she served as team captain, and was elected Miss Hawk, by her peers, during Homecoming activities in the fall of 2000. 

Nina participates in and is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zwolle, Louisiana where she has served as a member of TEC (Teens Encountering Christ), a group who learns and grows together as they serve their community. Nina has the honor of serving her church as a Eucharistic Minister as well. 

Nina has chosen to pursue a career in the medical field. Therefore, she presently attends Bossier Parish Community College where she is majoring in Surgical Technology. In addition to attending to her studies, Nina is employed part-time by Zwolle Big Star. 

Nina takes great pride in the opportunity to continue to serve the people of the Zwolle area as she travels throughout the state representing them. She considers her reign as 2001 Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Queen to be one of the greatest privileges she will ever have and pledges to remember the importance of sharing how special Zwolle is to her and the people she represents. 

Nina’s future plans are to continue to work to improve her community. She wants to complete her college degree and become a successful surgical technician. 

Angel Rivers   2000-2001

My name is Angel Rivers I am the 2000-2001 Tamale Fiesta Queen. I am the 17-year-old daughter of Gary and Beverly Rivers of Noble. My sister, Kris, was chosen as the Tamale Fiesta Teen Queen for 2000-2001. My grandparents are Gilbert and Rachel Aaron and Leatha and the late Lee Roy Rivers, all of Zwolle.

I attend Converse High School, where I am active on campus. I am a cheerleader and a member of the dance line, and I also serve as junior class president. I am President of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and BETA at Converse High. I was chosen to serve on the Louisiana Students Targeting Alcohol Reduction Statewide (LaSTARS) this past year and I also serve on the Youth Advisory Council for Taking A Stand Conference 2001.

I am enjoying traveling across Louisiana representing my town and its rich heritage. My sponsors are Glen and Laverne Vines.

I'd like to invite you and your family to visit our festival during the 2nd weekend of October.

Crystal Evette Sepulvado   1999-2000

My name is Crystal Evette Sepulvado and I am the 1999-2000 Tamale Fiesta Queen. I am the daughter of Randy and Carolyn Sepulvado. My paternal grandparents are Doris Sepulvado and the late Abram Sepulvado. My maternal grandparents are Minnie Cartinez and the late Walter Cartinez. I have one 14-year-old brother, Lance Sepulvado who attends Ebarb High School. My God parents are Sammy and Patsy Rivers.

I am a 1999 graduate from Zwolle High School. I was salutatorian of my class and very active in basketball, softball, and track.

I am currently enrolled at Norwestern State University where I am getting my bachelors degree in Nursing. After obtaining my BS in Nursing, I plan to specialize as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I am a sophomore and plan on applying for my clinicals this fall.

My hobbies include any sports. I love to hunt, fish, and spend time with family and friends.

I have enjoyed traveling across Louisiana this year representing my town and its rich heritage. My sponsors for my reign this year are my Godparents Sammy and Patsy Rivers, and Robby Lang of Many Professional Pharmacy.