Published November 4, 2016
MONROE, La. — Ashlynn Lanford, a sophomore kinesiology major from Pineville, was crowned
Miss University of Louisiana Monroe at the 64th Annual Miss ULM Pageant held Nov.
4, in front of a packed house at Brown Auditorium.
Lanford’s platform is “Arts in Healthcare” and she gave a vocal performance as her
talent. She also received the preliminary talent award.
First runner-up was Samantha Vaughn of West Monroe. Second runner-up was J’lyn Henderson
of Monroe. Third runner-up was Elaine Blanco of Leesville. Fourth runner-up was Baylea
Huffman of Delhi.
Erika Guerrero of Oak Grove won the Advertisement Sales Award; Alyssa Garner of Frierson
won the Miss Congeniality Award, as well as the preliminary evening wear award; Gabrielle
Ingram of Natchitoches won the People’s Choice award, as well as the Non-Finalist
Academic award.
The Miss ULM Pageant is a preliminary to the Miss Louisiana Pageant, sponsored by
ULM’s Campus Activities Board and Student Government Association.
Miss ULM scholarship awards:
Miss ULM receives a $2,000 scholarship for two semesters, a private, one-bedroom on-campus
apartment, an award from the bookstore worth $300, awarded by the Campus Activities
Board, a two-semester meal plan sponsored by Aramark, and a $4,500 cash prize awarded
by the Student Government Association.
First runner-up: receives a $2,000 scholarship for two semesters from the Campus Activities Board.
Second runner-up: receives a $2,000 scholarship for one semester from the Campus Activities Board.
Third runner-up: receives a one-time $1,000 scholarship from the Student Government Association.
Fourth runner-up: receives a one-time $750 scholarship from the Student Government Association.
Advertisement Sales winner: receives a one-time $250 scholarship from the Campus Activities Board.
People’s Choice winner: receives a one-time $250 scholarship from the Campus Activities Board.
Miss Congeniality winner: receives a one-time $250 scholarship from the Campus Activities Board.
Non-Finalist Academic winner: receives a one-time $250 scholarship from the Student Government Association.
The competitive scholarship program emphasizes physical fitness, talent, public speaking,
and academics. Contestants must demonstrate poise, personality, intelligence, and
charm during the pageant, and must showcase a trained talent in a 90-second performance.
Miss ULM 2017 Contestants
Baylea Huffman, a sophomore speech-language-pathology major from Delhi; Gabi Ingram,
a junior biology major from Natchitoches; Brea Joyner, a senior communication major
from Monroe; Ashley Camp, a senior biology major from Calhoun; Erika Guerrero, a senior
pre-dental-hygiene major from Oak Grove; Samantha Hillman, a freshman kinesiology
major from Winnsboro; Allison Newton, a freshman music major from Monroe; Jillian
Johnson, a freshman pre-pharmacy major from Eunice.
Elaine Blanco, a senior communication major from Leesville; Samantha Vaughn, a senior
communication major from West Monroe; Alyssa Garner, a junior nursing major from Frierson; J’lyn
Henderson, a sophomore elementary education major from Monroe; Sydney Davis, a senior
vocal music education major from Mesquite, Texas; Ashlynn Lanford, a sophomore kinesiology
major from Pineville.
