By Marilyn Miller
If you noticed a lot of young ladies in pageant dresses and sashes running around town this past week, it’s because Minden just hosted their second Miss Louisiana Volunteer Pageant, along with the Miss Louisiana Teen Volunteer Pageant at the Minden Civic Center.
The week of pageantry came to a close Saturday evening with the crowning of Miss Germantown Volunteer Celeste Lay as Miss Louisiana Volunteer 2027, and Miss Webster Parish Volunteer Presley Wood winning the crown of Miss Louisiana Teen Volunteer 2027.
Celeste won Overall Interview and Overall Talent awards, while Presley took home the Overall Fitness and Overall Interview awards.
The state titles now qualify the two winners to compete at the Miss America Volunteer and Miss America Teen Volunteer Pageants in March of 2027 in Jackson, Tennessee.
“Saturday night, a dream and long-awaited prayer was answered,” said Celeste in her FB post. “I am beyond honored to serve the wonderful State of Louisiana and to compete for Miss America Volunteer next March.”
“I am proud to be an ambassador for Webster Parish, the City of Minden, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Salvation Army and the Miss Louisiana Volunteer brand.”
“Thank you to the City of Minden and Visit Webster Parish for hosting this year’s pageant and THANK YOU to each and every sponsor and partner who helped support this amazing program. THANK YOU to the Miss Louisiana Volunteer Board for putting together such a spectacular week. From the very beginning, you made every contestant feel so loved and valued. Thank you for the countless hours you poured into making this experience so special and for sacrificing time with your own families to help us chase our dreams. It does not go unnoticed!”
“Saturday night still feels like a dream,” said Miss Louisiana Teen Volunteer 2027 Presley Wood in her FB statement. “I am beyond honored to be your Miss Louisiana Teen Volunteer winner. This title means so much to me, and I am incredibly proud to represent not only the great State of Louisiana, but also Webster Parish.”
“There are so many people to thank. To my family, friends, sponsors and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, ‘Thank You’ from the bottom of my heart. Your love, encouragement, prayers and belief in me made this dream possible, and I truly could not have done it without each of you.”
Presley continued, “I am so excited for the year ahead as I continue serving Webster Parish and the State of Louisiana. I ask for your continued support of me and the Miss Louisiana Volunteer organization as we work together to empower young women through scholarship, education and volunteerism across our State. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what this year has in store. Thank you, Louisiana, for believing in me. Let’s make it an unforgettable year!”
Each of the five points on the winners’ crowns represents a principle in the organization’s mission: Scholarship. Education. Responsibility. Volunteerism. Empowerment. Each point in the winners’ crowns start with a letter which spells out “SERVE.”
Each young lady competed in the Judges’ Interview, Talent, Fitness/Wellness, Onstage Question, and Evening Gown categories. Along with the younger competition (Magnolia Princess Experience), the Miss Louisiana Volunteer Pageant and the Miss Louisiana Teen Volunteer Pageant enjoyed over $100,000 in scholarships and prizes.