The Kerry Bearden Memorial: Keeper of the Cape Scholarship is a tribute to a beloved husband, father, and steadfast supporter of the Louisiana Watermelon Festival and its pageant. Known for his quiet encouragement, steady presence, and deep devotion to his family and community, Kerry Bearden was the kind of man who left a lasting impact without ever stepping into the spotlight. That legacy lives on through his loving wife, Connie Bearden, affectionately known as the original Keeper of the Cape, and through the continued service of their children and family.
Their daughter, Ashley Owen, now serves as President of the Farmerville Jaycees and Director of the Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival Pageant. Their other daughter, Kane Allen, serves as Treasurer of the Farmerville Jaycees, playing a vital role in ensuring the success and growth of the festival and its many events. Alongside them, their husbands—Justin Owen and Paco Allen—are also actively involved in the Jaycees, contributing their time, talents, and dedication to carrying on the Bearden family's commitment to community.
This scholarship is awarded annually to a young woman who exemplifies the values Kerry Bearden held close: poise, service, humility, and a heart for others. Just as the pageant cape represents tradition, honor, and leadership, this scholarship serves as a lasting symbol of Kerry’s impact—and the ongoing legacy of the family he inspired. Through the Farmerville Jaycees, the Louisiana Watermelon Festival, the Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival Pageant, and the continued devotion of his family, the Cape of Legacy’s Keeper Scholarship ensures that Kerry Bearden’s spirit lives on in each new generation of young women who wear the crown and carry the cape forward.
