Throwback: Marksville's Miss Avoyelles Crowned in 1980!

This article originally appeared in The Greater Avoyelles Journal on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 1980, and is republished as part of this newspaper’s Avoyelles of Yesteryear history feature.

Chrissie Ann Loughman, a student at Marksville High School, was crowned Miss Avoyelles Parish following a parishwide pageant held Saturday, Feb. 16, 1980, at the Marksville High School gymnasium. The event was sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Council of Avoyelles in cooperation with the Avoyelles Parish School Board.

The Miss Avoyelles pageant marked a return to an earlier parish tradition of selecting a young woman to serve as a representative for Avoyelles Parish at cultural and community events. Contestants from across the parish participated, highlighting poise, personality and community involvement.

Trophies were awarded to the queen and top runners-up following the competition.

Pictured from left are:

• Mary Ellen Nugent, Miss Lafargue and second runner-up
• Chrissie Loughman, Miss Avoyelles Parish
• Hanna Baldridge, first runner-up, who later represented Miss Avoyelles Parish CDC.

To submit any Avoyelles Parish history from the past, email photo, information and contact news@avoyellestoday.com or come by the newspaper office at 208 N. Washington St. in Marksville.