Alina Tatum Named Queen In Finale of
2005 Dairy Festival

by: Bobby McDonald
http://www.FrontPorchNews.com

A royal smile......Alina Tatum flashes a smile to the audience
after being named the 2005 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen
in coronation cermonies on Saturday night. Tatum was one of eight
girls competing for the title, before a packed crowd in the Civic Center.

Following a judges interview, presentation of "the little stars," a casual wear competition, a talent presentation, and evening gown competition, pretty Alina Tatum, daughter of Lewis and Michelle Tatum of Sulphur Springs, was named the new Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, as the curtain came down on the 46th annual pageant.

Earlier in the night, Tatum had presented a vocal presentation of Marty Robbin's "Don't Worry About Me," during the talent portion of the contest. The senior at Sulphur Springs High School is no stranger to the dairy industry either. Earlier in the week she had managed to milk a Jersey cow to first place honors in the Milking Contest and she also serves as President of the Sulphur Springs Future Farmer of America Chapter. No stranger to the stage, Tatum will be competing next month at the State FFA Convention in Lubbock, in the talent competition as the Area VI representative, that encompasses all of Northeast Texas.

Reigning Royalty.......Left to right, Jessica Lewis, 1st Runner-up, Candace Vanwinkle,
2nd Runner-up, Alina Tatum, Queen, and Brieann Birchfield, 3rd Runner-up, all flash their
winning smiles, following the naming of winners in the 2005 Hopkins County Dairy Festival
Pageant and Coronation, that marked the finale of the 2005 Celebration.

"Show-stopping" technical difficulties kept the audience and the contestants on the edge of their seats during Saturday night's presentation. Sound difficulties and a lighting problem lengthened the program, but most patrons patiently awaited the results of the contest and visited with their friends and neighbors during the "intermissions."

Runway walk.......New Queen, Alina Tatum walks the
runway, as the crowd at Saturday night's performance gives
her a well deserved standing ovation.

From jazz dancing to monologue presentations and fiddle tunes, the eight talented contestants in the 2005 contest dazzled the judges in competition and all represented themselves, their families, sponsors, and the community in a wonderful contest. Candace Vanwinkle was selected by her fellow contestants as Miss Congeniality and garnered the top ticket sales prize of a savings bond. Miss Tatum was the runner-up ticket sales winner, this year.

Sweepstakes Winner........"Milk The Heavenly Drink"
was the winning float in the parade and named the Sweepstakes
Winner on Saturday night. Candace Vanwinkle, Alina Tatum, and
Brieann Birchfield rode the float in the parade and their families did
all the craftsmanship on the entry.

______________________________________________

Thank You Sulphur Springs Ford!!!!

More Dairy Festival Pictures
Click on thumbnail to view larger image.

Last Modified: 04/01/2006 9:05 AM