As the Miss Louisiana pageant approaches on Saturday June 25, The 2015 winner, April Nelson prepares to pass the crown to the this year's winner.
The contest is part of the Miss America Program, in which Nelson placed third runner up. She says that the Miss America program is not only the largest scholarship program for young women in the world, but also fosters the spirit of volunteering and service.
"One of the best thing I always looked forward to was working with the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals" says Nelson, "I've formed relationships with some of those families that will last my whole life."
Nelson says that she always advises the 32 young women to be authentic and honest all the time; that is one of the most important qualities the judges look for in a potential Miss Louisiana.
Nelson says that it's nostalgic watching all the contestants prepare for the competition and the rigorous job of Miss Louisiana, but she has plans of her own. The pageant is complete with the crowning of Miss Louisiana 2016 on Saturday night, and Nelson and her mother will leave Sunday morning for a cross-country drive to Los Angeles where she will pursue her career acting and singing.
