<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0n4zUq_0w8uDCLP00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0n4zUq_0w8uDCLP00" width="625" height="352" >Olivia Sanchez had a dream since elementary school, and now it has become reality.Sanchez had seen the ceremonies for the Indian princesses and Evangeline since she was in kindergarten. She said she always hoped to be a part of those festivities once she reached her senior year of high school.“This is definitely a dream come true,” she said.Olivia is the daughter of Keith and Kimberly Sanchez of Plaquemine. The announcement ceremony in August was a long day for her and the other young ladies who were in the running to become the next Evangeline.“I was nervous, but when they announced my name, I was both excited and little shocked," she said. "I knew I was up against a lot of good candidates, but I never expected it to be me. It’s such a great honor… every girl at St. John talks about it the same way — they hope to be a part of it their senior year.”Sanchez will preside over the International Acadian Festival and will be featured in the traditional water ceremony along Bayou Plaquemine at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26.Sanchez, a senior at St. John, has been a student at the school since pre-K. Even without the Evangeline honor, her schedule is busy — and she likes it that way. She plays on the St. John softball team during spring, travel ball in the summer and is on the St. John girls basketball team during fall and winter.Sanchez has traveled throughout the Deep South, Mid-Atlantic, Southwest and Central States regions for travel ball.Even when she’s away from travel ball, high school sports and other activities consume her schedule, and it soon will become busier.As Evangeline, she will be featured in numerous parades across Louisiana in the next year. In addition, she will attend the 2024 Mardi Gras ball in Washington, D.C., in what will be her first trip the nation’s capital.The trip to Washington will be a nice fit for Sanchez, who loves to travel. She hopes to make new friends and establish connections while she is in Washington. She also hopes to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, among other landmarks. “I want to see it because it honors everyone who has served our country, and without them we would not have our freedom,” she said.New York City and Paris are her two other dream destinations. “I’d love to experience in New York during the Christmas season, because everyone talks about how pretty it is,” she said. “Also, a big dream of mine is to go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower.”Once she graduates from high school, she plans to attend Nicholls State or University of Louisiana-Lafayette. She plans to major in either family law or business law.In addition, Sanchez wants to link it with the degree she wants in business administration.One of her friends is District Judge Elizabeth Engolio.“She’s a very good family friend, and we play pickleball occasionally, and she often comes over to our house, sometimes for NFL watch parties,” Sanchez said.She also sees Engolio as a role model.“Elizabeth is a very sweet person who is so down to earth,” she said. “She’s one of those people whom, if you ever need to talk or just need help in a certain area, she’s always willing to do that.”Sanchez considers her parents and great-grandmother, the late Mary Anne Gregoire, among her greatest role models.She will dedicate her year as Evangeline to her great-grandmother.“She was so sweet, and she loved to sew,” Sanchez said. “If she was still with us, she would be sewing my Evangeline gown.”As much as she looks forward to her year as Evangeline, she also wants younger girls to chase the same dream. “Always know that you will always have your chance,” she said. "It’s just how you present yourself to the judges, and when you do go into that room be yourself — that’s what they’re looking for.”Her ambition intertwines with her outlook on how to make the most out of life. “You only get one life, so you live it to its fullest and do what makes you happy, rather than trying to make everyone else happy,” she said. “Just because someone does something does not mean you should.”She is also an avid reader, and it takes merely a second for her to identify her favorite author.“I love J.K. Rowling,” Sanchez said. “I’ve read every Harry Potter book, I’ve seen every single movie, and I have all the books.” Rowling also figures into what has inspired Olivia. She has achieved monumental success by sharing her imagination in literary form.“It has taken places people like to imagine it would take them,” Olivia said. Her favorite musician is Zach Bryan. Her favorite movie is “Ten Things I Hate About You.” She does not have a favorite TV program, but she enjoys watching true crime documentaries. She may not have as much time over the next year to watch documentaries, but she said she is ready for the long slate of events that await her.“I look forward to going to all the festivals and being with all these amazing girls on the court,” she said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do it… they all help a lot.” </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Serving as Evangeline a dream come true for Olivia Sanchez

Olivia Sanchez had a dream since elementary school, and now it has become reality. Sanchez had seen the ceremonies for the Indian princesses and Evangeline since she was in kindergarten. She said she always hoped to be a part of those festivities once she reached her senior year of high school.