'It's going to be a fun week': Miss Louisiana Organization kicks off 58th annual pageant

Ian Robinson, Monroe News-Star
·2 min read

The Miss Louisiana Pageant is returning to Monroe for its 58th annual competition.

Contenders vying for the title of Miss Louisiana 2022 were introduced by the Miss Louisiana Organization at a news conference Monday in the lobby of the Jack Howard Theatre in the Monroe Civic Center.

"We have 29 beautiful young women that will be competing for scholarship dollars this week here at the Jack Howard Theatre," Miss Louisiana Organization executive director Dewana Little said. "One of these young women will be crowned Miss Louisiana 2022 on Saturday night. It's going to be a fun week."

The 2022 Miss Louisiana contestants are Lucy Bateman, Audrey Bergstedt, Jacie Brent, Sarah Riley Broadway, McKenzie Connelly, Sydney Gant, Lily Gayle, Asja Jordan, Anna Claire Lemoine, Megan Magri, Madi Masters, Mallorie McKinney, Pearl Merry, Raven Moore, Kobi Painting, Courtney Patterson, Grace Powell, Alivia Quirk, Gracie Reichmann, Erin Rogers, Diamond Sampson, Makenzie Scroggs, Anna-Katherine Thompson, Yvonne Tran, Carmin Velasquez, Jourdan Waddell, Rebecca Wheelis, Ryia Williams and Emily Wilson.

The 2022 Miss Louisiana Pageant kicked off Monday with a news conference introducing the contestants at the Monroe Civic Center, the site of Saturday's pageant.
The 2022 Miss Louisiana Pageant kicked off Monday with a news conference introducing the contestants at the Monroe Civic Center, the site of Saturday's pageant.

More: The lessons Miss Louisiana Julia Claire Williams has learned being "unapologetically" herself

Last year: Julia Claire Williams wins Miss Louisiana 2021 title

Julia Claire Williams, a native of Kinder and graduate of University of Louisiana Monroe, currently holds the title of Miss Louisiana.

The pageant returned in 2021 after its 2020 festivities were halted due to COVID and Miss Louisiana 2019 Meagan Crews chose to continue pursuing her education at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. Williams succeeded Courtney Hammons, a first-runner up of Crews, who was asked to step in and served as Miss Louisiana 2020.

"Working together to build a better tomorrow for future generations matters," Williams said. "Kindness matters and using our God-given gifts and talents to serve others matters, and I really hope that's the legacy I left this year as Miss Louisiana."

Sponsors of this year's competition include the City of Monroe, University of Louisiana, Discover Monroe-West Monroe, Louisiana Propane Dealers, Vantage Health Plans and Towne Place Suites Marriott.

Julia Claire Williams serves as the 58th Miss Louisiana. Williams is set to attend the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine following passing over her crown on Saturday night.
Julia Claire Williams serves as the 58th Miss Louisiana. Williams is set to attend the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine following passing over her crown on Saturday night.

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis expressed his gratitude to the Miss Louisiana Organization for continuing to hold the pageant on the city.

"We want to continue to be a great partner for you any way we need to, to keep you here," Ellis said. "It's very special to have you guys here and for the 59th year, we want to welcome you back to the City of Monroe. We're here for you. We're your biggest fans too and we're going to be sitting in the audience cheering you guys on."

Preliminary competitions will be held Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. The pageant finals will be held at the Jack Howard Theatre, and televised statewide, on Saturday at 8 p.m.

Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1.

Support local journalism by subscribing at https://cm.thenewsstar.com/specialoffer.

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Miss Louisiana Organizations kicks off 58th Miss Louisiana pageant