Four University of Louisiana Monroe students will compete at the Miss Louisiana Organization contest this week. ULM is housing all 29 contestants from across the state in its residential halls while the women are judged in interview, talent, red carpet and on-stage questions.
The participants have previously won regional competitions - formerly known as pageants - and are spending the week visiting Ouachita Parish tourist attractions between the competition schedule. During the preliminary competitions on June 16 and 17, the women will perform their talent, model their red carpet attire, present their social impact initiative and answer an on-stage question. The top ten contestants will re-compete during the finals and the winner of Miss Louisiana will be crowned on June 18. All events will be held at the Jack Howard Theatre at the Monroe Civic Center. Tickets can be purchased at misslouisiana.com.
"The women who are competing in Miss Louisiana are the brightest, most accomplished and talented in our state. Having the opportunity to host them in our community and on our campus during the week-long competition is an incredible honor for the city of Monroe and ULM," said Meagan Lee Morris, ULM assistant director of student engagement and Miss ULM executive director. "As the official home of the Miss Louisiana Organization, we house the candidates during competition and Miss Louisiana year-round during her year of service. We have the opportunity to show off all our community has to offer by truly bringing the best to the bayou."
The four ULM contestants include Miss Heart of Dixie Sarah Riley Broadway, Miss ULM Asja Jordan, Miss Ouachita Parish Mallorie McKinney and Miss Natchitoches Parish Carmin Velasquez.
Broadway is a sophomore majoring in criminal justice with a minor in foreign language. Jordan is in her second year of graduate school to obtain a Master of Public Administration. McKinney is a junior studying secondary education with a concentration in English. All three are from West Monroe. Velasquez is from Sterlington and is in her first year of graduate school. She is working toward a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in public management.
"I can personally attest that this organization gives young women the tools to not only further their education through scholarship dollars, but to elevate their skill sets and lay a solid foundation on which to build the rest of their professional and personal lives," Morris said. "the opportunities for growth in public speaking, interviewing, personal marketing and self-confidence that come with this experience are absolutely invaluable."
"The winner of Miss Louisiana will receive $10,000 in scholarships, as well as any additional scholarships she may win throughout the competition and a free apartment on the ULM campus. She will serve the state highlighting her social impact initiative and will go on to compete at the Miss America contest.