Miss Southeastern 2015 Emily Randon crowns Miss Southeastern 2016 Brianna Young.
The Lion’s Roar / File Photo

Each fall, the university holds the Miss Southeastern Beauty Pageant, which is a preliminary competition as part of the Miss Louisiana/Miss America Organization. However, for some students the path leading to the stage of competition for Miss Louisiana may take place off-campus.

With beauty pageants still underway in the state of Louisiana, it is possible for more university students to be able to compete for the title of Miss Louisiana. However, as of now, the contestants The Lion’s Roar is aware of are Miss Southeastern 2016 Brianna Young, Miss Crescent City New Orleans 2016 and Former Miss Southeastern 2015 Emily Randon and Miss Slidell 2016 Nancy Peck. 

For some contestants, the path for pageantry began at a young age as they now prepare for Miss Louisiana. 

“I have been competing in pageants my entire life,” said junior communication major Peck. “My first one was at 11 days old. I have gained so much from pageantry. I am able to attend Miss Louisiana as a contestant this summer [since] I won the preliminary title of Miss Slidell.”

Another attraction for some to begin their career in beauty pageants is the scholarship money that can be gained to further their education. 

“The Miss Louisiana Pageant is a way for students like myself to be able to earn scholarship money,” said senior kinesiology major with a concentration in exercise science Randon. “In fact, that is one of the things that attracted me to participate in the Miss Southeastern pageant.”

One of the goals of those participating in beauty pageants is to not only focus on the various competitions which include lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit, evening wear, talent, private interview and on-stage question, but the contestants also participate in various community projects and fundraisers to help the community.

“To prepare for Miss Louisiana, I first began learning about my service roles and responsibilities as a new member of the Miss America Organization,” said junior communication major Young. “After raising money towards the Children’s Miracle Network, maintaining my GPA and practicing for the different phases of the competition, I became eligible to compete for the title of Miss Southeastern 2016. The money collected by other contestants during that pageant, as well as my own contributions, will allow me the opportunity of becoming the next Miss Louisiana.”

The road in preparing for Miss Louisiana in these next few months is a time-consuming one and some participants will be preparing as they take on their normal college responsibilities.

“Preparing for Miss Louisiana involves lots of time in the gym, practicing my talent, interview prep and spending time promoting Slidell, my platform and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Peck.

Though all contestants are promoting their platforms, some are making sure to prepare their talent for the talent portion of the competition. 

“With this title [Miss Crescent City 2016], I plan on promoting my platform and serving throughout the community and in the greater New Orleans area,” said Randon. “I will spend a lot of time preparing for the different phases of competition at Miss Louisiana, however, the most time will be put towards the talent portion which will showcase my years of training in ballet.”

Though the phases of the competition for Miss Louisiana are the same as Miss Southeastern, the participants are aware that they will need to put even more effort than before in order to gain the crown.

“Luckily, the phases of the competition are the same, however, the number of girls whom I will be competing for the title for in this pageant has significantly grown,” said Young. “This means that I have to step it up a notch and make sure that my talent is to the highest of my ability technically, and I have to be sure to stay updated and fresh on any national and local news that may occur during my reign. To help me learn more about the ladies who I will share the stage with, I have begun attending other local pageants as a way to personally build connections and friendships with other ladies.”

Though the next Miss Southeastern will not take place until Fall 2016, the current Miss Southeastern encourages students to realize being crowned is more than just being considered a beauty queen, but opens up other doors as well. 

“I want students to know that I am not a beauty queen at all, but my goal of joining an organization that celebrates beauty and scholarship was the reason I competed,” said Young. “I had no clue how many new family members I would gain once I became Miss Southeastern, and I hope that if anyone is interested in learning how to become the next crown holder, they know I am very comfortable with helping and giving advice on how to do so.”

Former Miss Southeastern 2015 is also pleased to help the city she now reigns in. 

“I am so excited to be able to go back to Monroe this June and compete for the title of Miss Louisiana,” said Randon. “Although I was very sick during the Miss Crescent City pageant, I’m happy that I stayed and competed anyway. I have a great group of family and friends who encouraged me every step of the way. Holding the title of Miss Crescent City New Orleans 2016 will open the door to so many opportunities for me to serve in ‘The Big Easy.’”

Although beauty pageants may not be for everyone, Miss Southeastern 2016 would like university students to remember that Southeastern has many other options to get actively involved. 

“I want people to know that while in college, they should take the time to join an organization, social club, sorority, fraternity and even try to attend the events the Campus Activity Board offers so they can become a part of the legacy of the school,” said Young. “It doesn’t take a crown to make a difference and be a part of what makes Southeastern such an amazing place for learning and growing into adulthood.”

The Miss Louisiana Beauty Pageant will be taking place June 23 to 25 and for more information, visit misslouisiana.com. The beauty pageant will be a great way for university students to represent the Southeastern campus. 

“There are so many girls from SLU competing this summer,” said Peck. “I know we will all proudly represent and promote our great university throughout the pageant week. We work really hard to do our best and make everyone proud.”

Nancy Peck accepts the crown for Miss Slidell 2016 and earns the chance to compete in Miss Louisiana 2016. 
Courtesy of Nancy Peck

Last fall, Brianna Young took the crown of Miss Southeastern 2016 allowing her to represent
the university at the Miss Louisiana competition. 
The Lion’s Roar / File Photo

Miss Louisiana 2015 April Nelson (left) stands with the newly crowned Miss Crescent City New Orleans 2016
and former Miss Southeastern 2015 Emily Randon (right).
Courtesy of  Greg Randon