Ambassador crown on display at Bill French Jewelers
By DAVID MORRIS
Cove Leader-Press
Oohing and ahing over the coveted Ambassador crown, members of the 2014 Rabbit Fest Royalty unveiled the 14-inch crown on the showroom floor of the 2015 crown sponsor Bill French Jewelry. As the royalthy shared their excitement for the upcoming pageant set for May 16 during the 35th annual Rabbit Fest in Copperas Cove’s City Park, Bill French, owner of the jewelry store, learned about the years of history and the more than 1,000 community service hours documented by the boys and girls on the court.
“I had no idea that boys participated in this pageant and it is exciting to see that they have an opportunity to win and do something good as well,” said French. “My dad was always volunteering his time and I can remember him serving at the festival, collecting tickets and helping park cars. I now know why he never got anything done around the house because he was always doing for someone else. That legacy was passed down to me and I try to emulate that now.”
The crown will be on display in the jewelry store as French takes pride in participating in the pageant that returned after an 18-year absence. Continuing the legacy of his father, French found yet another way to give back to his community sowing seed into future generations to come.
“I may not have the time to volunteer like he did but I have been blessed and can give monetary donations to the festival and purchase the crowns for the royalty,” he said. “ I hope there comes a day when I have more time and give back with volunteer service, and having a full-time jewelry staff member will help with that.”
Nestled amongst solitaire diamonds and golden wrist watches, the Ambassador crown is one of 19 provided by Bill French Jewelers and will feature a rabbit in the towering crowns.
“The Rabbit Fest Pageant is more than a beauty pageant,” said French. “These kids did a tremendous amount of volunteer work and they really want to wear that Ambassador crown and serve for a second year and that shows by the continued community service that they are doing up until the event.”
Participating in the pageant, French will help crown the royalty that will serve for the 2015-16 campaign. Volunteer service is mandatory during the next year with a minimum of 12 events required during the year-long reign.
“The reason I named the store after my father was because of the legacy that he left and I wanted to carry that on,” said French. “People recognize the name because of him and this is just one of the many ways he continues to serve Copperas Cove. This donation is a seed, sewn into the youth of our community who are giving back just like my father did, and it is an honor to be able to participate in the pageant. People are drawn to jewelry and shiny things so it goes hand in hand with what we do here in our shop from our repair work to our diamonds.”
Printable applications for the pageant are available now at the Rabbit Fest website, www.rabbitfest.com. The cost is $35 and the categories range from boys and girls up to eight years old, with girls and women competing ages nine all the way up to Senior Ms. for ages 50+.
Contestants must reside in Coryell County or live within 25 miles of Copperas Cove and intend to continue to maintain residence in this area for a minimum of one year.