In the heart of Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise, where shrimp boats, bayous, and family traditions help define our way of life, Annie Katie Frederick and Mary Margret Frederick are learning that being a queen is about much more than wearing a crown. It’s about preserving the heritage of the community they proudly represent.
Recently, Annie Katie and Mary Margret enjoyed an unforgettable day learning about Louisiana’s shrimping heritage aboard the Shrimp Hound with Capt. Ben LeBlanc. A lifelong fisherman from Delcambre, Capt. Ben has spent his life on the water and now enjoys sharing his knowledge, experience and passion for shrimping with others.
Annie Katie, the Delcambre Deb Shrimp Queen, and Mary Margret, the Baby Shrimp Queen, were excited to experience firsthand the traditions, hard work and dedication that have made the shrimping industry the heart of their hometown for generations. Their day on the water gave them an even greater appreciation for the men and women who work tirelessly to bring Louisiana’s world-famous shrimp from the Gulf to our tables.
Annie Katie’s passion for the shrimping industry extends far beyond the bayou. Whenever she has the opportunity to complete a school project, she proudly chooses topics that promote Louisiana shrimp and the importance of supporting local fishermen.
Her first award-winning project, “Shrimp Detective,” featured Annie Katie as a detective investigating the differences between Louisiana wild-caught shrimp and imported shrimp. Through her research, she educated others on the superior quality, freshness and economic importance of buying local seafood while encouraging consumers to support Louisiana’s shrimping families.
Her second award-winning project, “Bayou Heat: Where Shrimp Meets Spice,” celebrated Louisiana’s rich seafood heritage and the flavors that make our state’s shrimp second to none. Both projects reflected her love for the shrimping industry and the people who work every day to keep this proud tradition alive.
Annie Katie earned 1st Place with both projects, proving that her passion for Louisiana shrimp reaches far beyond the classroom. Together, Annie Katie and Mary Margret proudly represent Delcambre and hope to inspire others to appreciate and support the hardworking men and women of Louisiana’s shrimping industry.
Their day aboard the Shrimp Hound was more than just a boat ride—it was a hands-on lesson in the heritage, culture and future of one of Louisiana’s most treasured industries.
After all, in the Sportsman’s Paradise, a true queen isn’t afraid to trade high heels for rubber boots, spend a day on a shrimp boat, and proudly tell the story of the people who make Louisiana’s seafood industry one of the best in the world. Annie Katie and Mary Margret are proving that beauty, brains and bayou pride make a winning combination.
Shrimping trip on the shrimp hound was May 25, 2026 in Vermilion Bay.
