Sunday was move-in day for Miss Louisiana hopefuls at the University of Louisiana at Monroe Bayou Suites.
In this year’s contest, 33 young women from across Louisiana are vying for the title this week.
Participants unpacked…mingled…and met with new roommates and competitors. They’ll be spending a lot of time together preparing for the upcoming competition.
The reigning Miss Louisiana Laryssa Bonacquisti, from Shreveport, is on hand to give tips, advice, support, and when appropriate, a shoulder to cry on. She says the pageant experience is not just about wearing the crown–but gaining friends.
“Yes you’re competing against each other…yes it’s a competition.” Bonacquisti said. “But at the heart of it, you are truly becoming sisters and these girls will walk away with friendships that will last a lifetime.”
The Miss Louisiana organization will award more than $67,000 in cash scholarships this year. The competition begins at 7:30 p.m. beginning Thursday and culminating Saturday at the Monroe Civic Center Theater. The winner will represent the state of Louisiana in the Miss America Pageant.
