“Nikki” Merchant is 2018 Miss Catfish
BELZONI, Miss. – Gabrielle “Nikki” Merchant has been selected 2018 Miss Catfish. The 20-year-old Mississippi College student was crowned on April 7 at the World Catfish Festival, where the presentation of Miss Catfish contestants was moved indoors due to cold, wet weather. She is the daughter of Paul and Tammy Merchant of Greenwood, Miss. and was sponsored by DeltaCat Fisheries.
Selected by the panel of judges for first alternate was Alexandra “Lexie” Guion. She attends Mississippi State University and is the daughter of Bill and Susan Guion. Lexie was sponsored by Riven Oak Farm. Named second alternate was Amelie Goss. A graduate of Delta State University, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in dyslexia therapy. Amelie is the daughter of Anecia Devillier of Louise and Quinton Goss of Rolling Fork. She was sponsored by Tam-An Catfish.
Selected Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants was Meagan Carol Grisham, a student at Mississippi Delta Community College. The daughter of Steve and Julie Grisham of Belzoni, she was sponsored by Ducrest Farms.