Tunnell Crowned 2009 Oil Queen

The 2009 Van Oil Pageants, sponsored by the Van Chamber of Commerce, were held October 3 at the Van Junior High School with a total of 48 contestants from ages 0 to 19.

Brittney Tunnell was crowned the 2009 Van Oil Queen. She and Teen Miss Kaysie Hemby both received savings bonds donated by Austin Bank of Van and fresh roses donated by Van Brookshires.

Other Van Oil Royalty included:

-Baby Miss Queen: Lexi Deville; Roughneck King: Cruz Grijalva.

-Tiny Miss Queen: Grace Erin Smith; Roughneck King: Kyler Jose Fernandez.

-Little Miss Queen: Kyrston Koonce; Roughneck King: Brayden Tannery.

-Petite Miss Queen: Sydney Enslow; Roughneck King: Landon Tabraham.

-Dainty Miss Queen: Laura Tejeda; Roughneck King: Baby Lee Strickland.

-Wee Miss Queen: Jasmine Ward; Roughneck King: Christian Michael Smith.

Overall high point winner for the morning pageant was McKinzee Rae King; overall photogenic queen for the morning pageant was Sayler Haddock and overall photogenic king for the morning pageant was Cruz Grijalva.

Other winners included:

-Cinderella Miss: Alysa Faith Miller.

-Mini Miss: Brooklyn Hopkins.

-Princess Miss: Ashlyn Cassidy.

-Young Miss: Camryn Tannery.

-Imperial Miss: Rebecca Reagan.

-Ideal Miss: Kayleigha Slaton.

Overall high point winner for the afternoon pageant was Morgan Rosamond; overall photogenic winner for the afternoon pageant was Sydney Tannery.

Other winners included:

-Junior Miss: Natalie Gingles.

-Teen Miss: Kaysie Hemby.

-Oil Queen: Brittney Tunnell.

Overall high point winner for the evening pageant was Hegan Moore; overall photogenic winner for the evening pageant was Violet West; ticket sale queen was Violet West.

Andrea Walker, who has been the Van Oil Pageant director for five years, announced her retirement and introduced the new director, Julie Lightfoot.

"My family and I have been involved with the Oil Festival since 1999 and I want to thank the numerous contestants, parents and families for making it an amazing journey," said Walker.

"To my family, I couldn’t have done it without your constant support, help and love," said Walker.