By BRIANA ARRINGTON

bca008@latech.edu

 

Dr. Linda Sivils, an associate professor of merchandising, is making sure that Ruston Dixie Queens are not soon forgotten.

Sivils has been working on the Dixie Queen Gem Exhibit, dedicated to the former queens of the Ruston Peach Festival, for two years now as part of a faculty research project. The exhibit is located in Carson-Taylor Hall, Room 349.

“I think the exhibit is an excellent activity for the Peach Festival and for historic value in Ruston,” Sivils said.

Sivils has been contacting former queens by sending out questionnaires. So far, she has been successful with all but 20 since 1951.

“Many of the queens have been very helpful with sending us old photographs, shoes, dresses, and other memorabilia for the exhibit,” Sivils said.

Former queens who are now Tech’s own faculty members have been working with Sivils on the exhibit.

“I think it’s wonderful what Linda [Sivils] is doing with the exhibit,” said Dr. Jan Colvin, an associate professor of Human Development and the Dixie Queen Gem of 1966.

“I had just graduated from high school, and I didn’t expect to win, but when I did, it gave me so many opportunities I would have never had before,” Colvin said.

Sivils said she is passionate because the Peach Festival has always been important to Ruston historically and economically.

“Many of the girls went on to do such great things,” Sivils said. “They were ambassadors for the state and were involved with the community politically and in service.”

Christina Hendrick, a senior political science and English major, recently won her first pageant as Miss Shreveport Oct. 15. Hendrick, who received 1st runner-up in last year’s Dixie Queen Gem Pageant, believes that the pageant circuit is more beneficial than ever because of the large amounts of scholarship money available for the winners.

Hendrick, who has won a substantial amount of scholarship money from pageants, is supportive of Sivil’s efforts.

“I think that the Dixie Queen Gem Exhibit is a great idea because it better educates the public on what pageants really consist of,” Hendrick said. “There are thousands of dollars available for scholarships to contestants, even if you don’t actually win.”