By admin 
Annalysse Guillory, who was recently crowned 2026 Evangeline, has plenty in common with her predecessors – and a few different aspects, as well.
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As with most of the previous young ladies to wear the crown, she prides herself on hard work and ambition.
Unlike many, however, she does not attend St. John High School, nor does she live in Plaquemine.
Annalysse, daughter of Leon and Heidi Guillory of Bayou Sorrell, attends high school at the Iberville Parish MSA-West Academy in Plaquemine. She has one sister, Chloe Guillory.
While Annalysse has many friends at St. John, she hopes to see more students from MSA-West vie to become part of the longtime Evangeline tradition.
The honor dates back to 1969 when the festival – known as “The Cajun Festival” its inaugural year – crowned Vickey Vicknair was named the first Evangeline.
“Being from a public school does not mean you’re not a devout Catholic,” Guillory said.
She helps with candles at St. John Catholic Church and took part in the fundraiser for the renovation project that was completed in July.
Music ranks as one of her passions.
Guillory has performed classical music, and she has been a member of the MSA-West school orchestra since eighth grade.
Her love for music has led her to Carnegie Hall, Nashville, St. Louis, Disneyworld and a high school in Chicago.
She was also part of the MSA Jazz Band that went to Chicago, as well as New Orleans. In addition, her rhythm section won an award at the Southeastern Louisiana University Bill Evans Jazz Fest.
Guillory is set to perform during the upcoming Iberville Parish Veterans Day event Nov. 11.
“I’ll have to take the crown off to perform for that,” she said.
Her passion for music does not stop at classical.
She plays as a bass guitarist, she has played double-bass in an orchestra and has played piano in the school band.
Her love of music covers a broad spectrum. She enjoys the music of jazz legends Herbie Hancock and Ella Fitzergald but also considers 1990-era rock superstars The Red-Hot Chilli Peppers among her favorite performers.
“But I’m an old soul, at heart, which is why I love the Evangeline tradition,” Annalysse said. “It’s a historic tradition woven into the Catholic faith.”
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Her interest in music goes back to the music lesson she took when she was 3.
By fourth grade, she asked for a piano for her birthday.
“After that, I wanted to play the drums, and I fell in love with bass guitar,” she said.
The love for the tradition combines her faith with the passion for her community.
The crowning later this month brings another round of excitement.
“I’m especially excited because aside from being crowned, I love that it comes around Halloween,” Annaylsse said.
The announcement ceremony in August and the upcoming crowning are just a part of the excitement.
The love for the Knights of Columbus adds to her passion for the event – and much of it stems from the people who work behind the scenes with the tradition.
“It’s people like Fred Sanchez, Ed Reeves, Steve “Pine” Smith and Jason Leonard, along with people on the ladies committee such as Anne Reeves and Missy Bertrand, who do such an incredible job year after year,” she said. “They’re an amazing, passionate group of people who work so hard to spread joy throughout our community.”
She met some of them, including Lynward Barbier, through the work with the annual K.C. fireworks stand during the Christmas season.
If she wasn’t busy enough, she started an earring business called “Etched Earrings LLC,” and has booths for it at several craft shows,
In addition, she still participates in Girl Scouts, 4-H and Beta Projects.
Guillory is also set to begin work on service projects to help boost mental health awareness.
She also won first place in state competition at 4-H University and won fourth place in the state for a speech about eye health.
Guillory also won the Greater Baton Rouge Volunteer Award for logging more than 600 service hours in the past four years.
“I want 1,000 hours for my four years of school,” she said. “I just want to help people.”
It all fits into what she loves most in life.
“It’s a good mix of historical tradition, the story about the Acadians and about trust in God,” Annalysse said.
This article originally appeared on Plaquemine Post South: 2026 Evangeline Annalysse Guillory combines ambition, vast talent
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Reporting by Lafayette Daily Advertiser / Plaquemine Post South
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Reuters_USATLocal_GANews
This story was originally published October 12, 2026 at 1:53 AM.