Lloyd crowned fair queen

It was a very surprised Tara Lloyd who was named Fair Queen 2000 last Thursday night before a packed house at the Donald Young School gym in Emo.
The 16-year-old–the daughter of David and Glenda Lloyd of Emo, swept the individual categories of the pageant–took first place in the fashion and entertainment categories, and sharing top honours in the banner and interview ones.
“I was shocked,” Lloyd said after the results were read out by pageant committee chair Joyce Meyers following the entertainment portion. “When they announced it, I was speechless.”
Amanda Vennechenko and Erin Anderson, both of Emo, were crowned First and Second Princess respectively. And like Lloyd, neither were expecting the honour, either.
“I was thrown,” admitted Vennechenko. “I really didn’t think [about winning]. I was just out to have fun.”
“I wasn’t expecting it,” echoed Anderson, who also was named Miss Congeniality. “It’s really cool because me, Mandy, and Tara are really good friends.”
As queen, Lloyd took home a new luggage set, a pair of diamond earrings, flowers, a gift certificate for a photo sitting, plus $300 cash.
Her princesses won a luggage set, flowers, and a ring, with Vennechenko also getting $200 and Anderson $100.
Pamela Holmes captured the Dorothy Bonot Memorial Award.
All six queen contestants, who also included Andrea Dawn Debungie and Krista Nielson, received a gift certificate from Sears, a makeup bag of cosmetics from Emo Drugs, a gift package from Donna’s Cuts and Curls, a framed picture of themselves, and a certificate of recognition.
They also were given watches and 10 percent of their button sales for selling more than 700 buttons each.
Lloyd, as well as Vennechenko and Anderson, agreed the pageant has been a worthwhile endeavour.
“It’s been great,” Lloyd enthused. “Everyone’s gotten along really great, all of the contestants.”
“It’s been really fun,” echoed Vennechenko. “I got to know people and spend more time with my friends.”
< *c>Category winners
•Banner–1. Erin Anderson/Tara Lloyd ($50 each) 2. Krista Nielson ($25) 3. Amanda Vennechenko ($25);
•Interview–1. Tara Lloyd/Amanda Vennechenko ($50 gift certificate from Meyers’ Clothing each) 2. Andrea Dawn Debungie (gift basket from Natural Health) 3. Erin Anderson (gift basket from Hair and Body Care Shoppe;
•Fashion show/Modelling–1. Tara Lloyd (necklace from Betty’s of Fort Frances) 2. Amanda Vennechenko (picture, journal from Tammi’s Flower Garden) 3. Andrea Dawn Debungie (gift certificate from Sight and Sound);
•Entertainment–1. Tara Lloyd ($100) 2. Krista Nielson ($75) 3. Amanda Vennechenko ($50);
•Miss Congeniality–Erin Anderson (camera and flowers); and
•Dorothy Bonot Memorial Award–Pamela Holmes.