More Than a Crown
DELCAMBRE, La. — In Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise, where bayous, shrimp boats and generations of family traditions shape the culture of coastal communities, two young queens are learning that leadership is about far more than wearing a crown.
Annie Katie Frederick, the Delcambre Deb Shrimp Queen, and Mary Margret Frederick, the Baby Shrimp Queen, are embracing their roles by learning about and promoting the heritage of the shrimping families they proudly represent. On May 25, 2026, the sisters spent a memorable day aboard the Shrimp Hound in Vermilion Bay with Capt. Ben LeBlanc, a lifelong fisherman from Delcambre.
Their experience provided a firsthand look at the hard work, skill and dedication required to bring Louisiana shrimp from the Gulf to families and tables across the state and beyond.
Learning From Those Who Work the Water
Capt. LeBlanc shared his knowledge and experience with the young queens, giving them an opportunity to understand the shrimping industry from the perspective of someone who has spent much of his life on the water.
For Annie Katie and Mary Margret, the trip was more than an adventure. It became a living history lesson about the people, traditions and livelihoods that have helped define Delcambre for generations.
Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to “train up a child in the way he should go.” Teaching younger generations about their community’s heritage helps ensure that valuable traditions are not forgotten. These young ambassadors are learning that honoring the past can help strengthen the future.
A Passion That Reaches Beyond the Bayou
Annie Katie’s passion for Louisiana’s shrimping industry extends well beyond her role as a pageant queen. When given opportunities to complete school projects, she chooses subjects that highlight Louisiana shrimp and encourage people to support local fishermen.
Her award-winning project, “Shrimp Detective,” examined the differences between Louisiana wild-caught shrimp and imported shrimp. Through research and education, Annie Katie explored the quality, freshness and economic importance of choosing locally caught seafood.
She earned first place for the project, demonstrating that her love for the shrimping industry is matched by a desire to educate others.
Celebrating Louisiana’s Seafood Heritage
Her second first-place project, “Bayou Heat: Where Shrimp Meets Spice,” celebrated Louisiana’s seafood culture and the distinctive flavors that make the state’s cuisine famous.
Both projects demonstrate how young people can use education to become advocates for their communities. Annie Katie’s work encourages consumers to recognize the people behind the products that reach their tables and to appreciate the families whose livelihoods depend upon Louisiana’s waters.
Galatians 6:9 encourages believers not to become weary in doing good. The perseverance of Louisiana’s fishermen reflects a similar spirit—long hours, demanding conditions and dedication to a way of life passed from one generation to the next.
Queens With Bayou Pride
Together, Annie Katie and Mary Margret are representing Delcambre with pride and hope to inspire others to support the hardworking men and women of Louisiana’s shrimping industry.
Their May 25 trip aboard the Shrimp Hound offered a hands-on lesson in heritage, culture and responsibility. It also showed that being a community ambassador can mean getting out of formal shoes, putting on rubber boots and experiencing the work that sustains a community.
Faith, Heritage and the Next Generation
Scripture repeatedly calls believers to remember, teach and pass wisdom to future generations. Psalm 78:4 speaks of telling “the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works.”
For these young queens, sharing the story of Delcambre’s shrimping heritage is one way of preserving something valuable. Their example reminds Louisiana communities that traditions remain strong when younger generations are given the opportunity to experience, understand and celebrate them.
In the Sportsman’s Paradise, Annie Katie and Mary Margret are proving that beauty, knowledge, service and bayou pride can come together to make a lasting difference.
Prayer for Louisiana’s Shrimping Families
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the people and traditions that make Louisiana’s communities unique. We pray for Annie Katie and Mary Margret as they learn, lead and represent their hometown with pride.
Bless Capt. Ben LeBlanc and every fisherman who works the waters of Louisiana. Protect them as they labor on the Gulf and bayous, and provide for their families and communities.
Give wisdom to the next generation so they will value the heritage entrusted to them and have courage to preserve what is good. Bless Louisiana’s shrimping families, seafood workers and local businesses.
May the story of these young queens inspire others to honor hard work, support local families and appreciate the blessings found in the waters You have provided.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discover more from CAST NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
