Published June 15, 2022
Four ULM students will compete at the Miss Louisiana Organization competition this
week. From left to right: Mallorie McKinney, Sarah Riley Broadway, ULM President Ron
Berry, Asja Jordan, and Carmin Velasquez.
Four University of Louisiana Monroe students will compete at the Miss Louisiana Organization
contest this week. ULM is housing all 29 contestants from across the state in its
residential halls while the women are judged in interview, talent, red carpet and
on-stage questions.
The participants have previously won regional competitions – formerly known as pageants
– and are spending the week visiting Ouachita Parish tourist attractions between the
competition schedule. During the preliminary competitions on June 16 and 17, the women
will perform their talent, model their red carpet attire, present their social impact
initiative and answer an on-stage question. The top 10 contestants will re-compete
during the finals and the winner of Miss Louisiana will be crowned on June 18. All
events will be held at the Jack Howard Theatre at the Monroe Civic Center. Tickets
can be purchased at misslouisiana.com.
“The women who are competing in Miss Louisiana are the brightest, most accomplished
and talented in our state. Having the opportunity to host them in our community and
on our campus during the week-long competition is an incredible honor for the city
of Monroe and ULM,” said Meagan Lee Morris, ULM assistant director of student engagement
and Miss ULM executive director. “As the official home of the Miss Louisiana Organization,
we house the candidates during competition and Miss Louisiana year-round during her
year of service. We have the opportunity to show off all our community has to offer
by truly bringing the best to the bayou.”
The four ULM contestants include Miss Heart of Dixie Sarah Riley Broadway, Miss ULM
Asja Jordan, Miss Ouachita Parish Mallorie McKinney and Miss Natchitoches Parish Carmin
Velasquez.
Broadway is a sophomore majoring in criminal justice with a minor in foreign language.
Jordan is in her second year of graduate school to obtain a Master of Public Administration.
McKinney is a junior studying secondary education with a concentration in English.
All three are from West Monroe. Velasquez is from Sterlington and is in her first
year of graduate school. She is working toward a Master of Public Administration with
a concentration in public management.
“I can personally attest that this organization gives young women the tools to not
only further their education through scholarship dollars, but to elevate their skill
sets and lay a solid foundation on which to build the rest of their professional and
personal lives,” Morris said. “The opportunities for growth in public speaking, interviewing,
personal marketing and self-confidence that come with this experience are absolutely
invaluable.”
The winner of Miss Louisiana will receive $10,000 in scholarships, as well as any
additional scholarships she may win throughout the competition and a free apartment
on the ULM campus. She will serve the state highlighting her social impact initiative
and will go on to compete at the Miss America contest.
