Miss Southeastern has the responsibility of preparing for the Miss Louisiana Beauty Pageant after she receives the her crown.
File Photo/The Lion's Roar
A farewell to Miss Southeastern 2016 Alexis LaPlante is to occur before the crowning of Miss Southeastern 2017.
Tonight, invited guests will say a “thank you” and “farewell” to LaPlante, a senior kinesiology major who feels honored after her year’s reign.
“I would like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who followed and supported me this year,” said LaPlante. “Being Miss Southeastern has been the greatest honor, and I am so proud to have represented a university that is so special and filled with even more special people. Thank you, Southeastern, for allowing me to be your representative this year. It has been a pleasure serving you.”
LaPlante has not only served for the university but the community as well. Some of her fondest memories come from promoting her platform which was to work towards abolishing all forms of modern-day slavery.
“I have made so many memories this year, but I will never forget my time at Hope House,” said LaPlante. “Being able to meet with survivors of human trafficking was a life changing and eye opening experience. These moments have given me a new ministry and a new heart of servitude that I know will follow me the rest of my life.”
As Miss Southeastern, LaPlante has had the chance to grow and change for the better and believes that this could happen for anyone who participates in beauty pageants.
“I intend to encourage women to participate in them,” said LaPlante. “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, especially the Miss America Organization.”
The Miss Southeastern 2017 Beauty Pageant will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in Pottle Hall Theatre. Those who will be participating for the title of Miss Southeastern 2017 will be Tonykea Alford, a senior elementary education major, Jamie Dearman, a senior communication major, Kristyn Gary, a sophomore early childhood education major and Trista Kramer, a senior chemistry major.
As each contestant prepares for the Miss Southeastern 2017 Beauty Pageant, LaPlante hopes that the next Miss Southeastern assumes her role with the best intentions of representing the university while remembering to stay true to herself.
“To the next Miss Southeastern, you are officially the luckiest girl on campus,” said LaPlante. “Take advantage of every opportunity that you are offered, be relentless in helping others and always remember to be true to who you are. This is the best title you could ever have, and I wish you nothing but good luck and happiness this next year.”
Miss Southeastern 2016 Alexis LaPlante will have her farewell banquet before the crowning of the New Miss Southeastern on Saturday, Nov. 19. Miss Southeastern holds her title for a year and represents the university at various events while promoting her platform chosen before her reign.
File Photo/The Lion's Roar
Miss Southeastern 2016 Alexis LaPlante will have her farewell banquet before the crowning of the New Miss Southeastern on Saturday, Nov. 19. Miss Southeastern holds her title for a year and represents the university at various events while promoting her platform chosen before her reign.
File Photo/The Lion's Roar