CAB Coordinator Nick Elliott speaks on what it takes to become Miss Southeastern 2017 at one of the interest meetings that took place Sept. 9.
The Lion's Roar/WIlliam Schmidt 

Though the interest meetings for those wanting to participate in the Miss Southeastern 2017 pageant have passed, students wishing to represent the university can still inquire and register through the Campus Activities Board. 

“The purpose of Miss Southeastern is that we are really looking for a good representation for our university,” said CAB Coordinator Nick Elliott. “If you have the right passion for entering the beauty pageants for the right reason, you grow that passion for the university.”

One of the benefits of being named Miss Southeastern are the scholarships, but Elliott believes there are many more benefits. 

“The passion behind it is that you would want to be a representative of this university and be able to go represent our university at the Miss Louisiana level as well and farther,” said Elliott.

The Miss Southeastern beauty pageant follows the same judging process as the Miss America Organization which includes five categories: Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit, Evening Wear, Talent, Private Interview and On-Stage Question. But, students should be aware that a lot goes into preparation to become Miss Southeastern. 

“One of the main things behind the beauty pageant is their platform so once they apply, they can really start working on their platform, whatever that may be,” said Elliott. “One already said they want to do something related with heart conditions and we really encourage that whatever they are doing with their platform, that they bring it to the campus so they can educate the campus on whatever their platform is, build upon themselves throughout the semester.”

Over the summer, Calyn Landaiche, a junior education major looked into the history of how Southeastern went from being Hammond Junior College to achieving university status in 1970. Landaiche also looked into why some of the buildings had received their names, and in doing so, came to enjoy Southeastern more and wanted to possibly participate in Miss Southeastern. 

“I was talking over the summer with some girls that were doing pageants and everything and they were saying it was all cool,” said Landaiche. “I was saying, ‘Oh, yeah, I don’t see myself ever doing that,’ and she said, ‘Well you seem really passionate about it and this would be something that I think would be interesting for you.’ I was like, ‘Maybe I’ll look into it’ and I kind of looked on the web and said, ‘That looks really cool.’ I think it is something that I want to do.”

Miss Southeastern 2016 Alexis LaPlante believes that all women interested in applying for the upcoming beauty pageant should.  

“I intend to encourage women to participate in them,” said LaPlante, a senior kinesiology major. “There’s so many great things that you can learn about yourself in pageants and I am living proof of that. Pageantry has molded me into a better version of myself and I intend to promote pageants as much as possible.”

The Miss Southeastern 2017 Beauty Pageant Application is due by Oct. 28 at noon in the CAB office. For more information, visit the Miss Southeastern portion of the CAB website found on the university website. 

Miss Alexis LaPlante won Miss Southeastern 2016 and went on to represent the university at the Miss Louisiana Beauty Pageant in June. 
The Lion's Roar/Wiliam Schmidt 

While at the Miss Louisiana 2016 Beauty Pageant, Alexis LaPlante participated in the Dillard’s Showcase with a Fleur de Lis Princess.
The Lion's Roar/William Schmidt 

Miss Southeastern 2016 Alexis LaPlante had the support of her family and friends at the Miss Louisiana 2016 beauty pageant. 
The Lion's Roar/William Schmidt