Miss Southeastern 2016 Alexis LaPlante gets ready to cut her cake at her "farewell" and "thank you" banquet.
William Schmidt

With the crowning of a new Miss Southeastern taking place this Saturday, a small gathering came together to say “thank you” and “farewell” to Miss Southeastern 2016 Alexis LaPlante.

The gathering was held on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in Student Union Ballroom Room 3505 C where Alexis LaPlante was able to express what this year meant for her.

“This year has been one of the greatest experiences of my life,” said Alexis LaPlante. “I’ve learned so much about myself and just what I’m capable of and what can happen when I push myself outside of the comfort zone. I am very thankful to have this experience and to have this title and I will carry the experiences and everything I learned from this year for the rest of my life.”

Throughout the year, Alexis LaPlante’s boyfriend and now fiancé believed in her every step of the way.

“Alexis, she is a hard worker,” said Kennon Menard, a senior sports management major. “She’ll do anything to the best of her ability. I just had to be by her side and I had to be always there for her. Whenever she said ‘I can’t do this,’ I just had to give her a little pep talk and she was back on her feet and on track rolling with it.”

One accomplishment Alexis LaPlante had while reigning as Miss Southeastern 2016 was learning how to push herself outside of her comfort zone.

“I’ve always been a little insecure and I never thought of doing something like this,” said Alexis LaPlante. “I never thought I’d be able to speak out in front of a crowd or perform on stage or do anything like that but going through this, it forced me to do these things, it forced me to exercise my abilities so that is kind of how I see myself pushing myself outside the comfort zone.”

Alexis LaPlante’s mother Linda LaPlante agreed with how her daughter has grown and gained positive qualities as Miss Southeastern 2016.

“She has grown beyond my imagination,” said Linda LaPlante. “When she was young, growing up, she was very reserved, very held back, let others speak and this experience really brought her out and gave her such confidence that I just admire, I admire it.”

Menard played for the university’s baseball team. Though he was used to playing ball in front of large crowds, he was pleased with Alexis LaPlante no matter what happened while she was performing her responsibilities as Miss Southeastern 2016.

“When we first met, Alexis was very shy and she is an introvert,” said Menard. “Because I used to perform on a big stage when I played, I was able to help her out and I was able to talk to her and say, ‘Hey, you did your best and you got here and that is all that counts and whatever happens, happens.’ Whatever happened, she did her best and that is all that matters.”

As Miss Southeastern 2016, Alexis LaPlante was able to support Children’s Advocacy Hope House with the goal to abolish modern day slavery. Alexis LaPlante plans to continue with this goal even after she passes on her title to the next Miss Southeastern.  

“Hope House recently had major major flood damage so they are rebuilding the campus right now as we speak,” said Alexis LaPlante. “I am just going to continue to be a voice for them and continue helping them, finding sponsors and organize different things in the community that we can do to help them recover from this and that’s really next on my list.”

Alexis LaPlante’s mother was pleased to see her go through the journey and hopes that her daughter follows her passions as the future unfolds.

“I’d love being at the ball game with her when she was supporting Hope House to hearing all that she has done,” said Linda LaPlante. “I enjoyed watching her in the parade and just the joy on her face as she drove by, every event that she has gone to, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope she gains a new awareness of who she is and what she can do, her own ability and that she can do anything that she wants to do.”

The crowning of Miss Southeastern 2017 will take place in Pottle Hall Theatre on Saturday after the beauty pageant competition that begins at 7 p.m.

Miss Southeastern 2016 Alexis LaPlante sits with family and friends at her farwell banquet. 
William Schmit/The Lion's Roar

Family and friends gather with Miss Southeastern 2016 Alexis LaPlante after remembering all that she did over the last year with representing the university and Hammond. 
William Schmidt/The Lion's Roar