Erin Elizabeth Husbands
World's Universal Beauty
Miss Baton Rouge

Well today was a fantastic day! I woke up at 5am and got rolling at 6am - however about half a mile down the road I realized that I forgot my mascara & eyelash curler! 6:05 - then we were off to Monroe! My mom (Vickie) drove me to Monroe and helped me unpack. It was hectic but a great feeling to know that the week was finally here!

After getting settled, we left for the Catfish Cabin for lunch ... at 10:30am! However the early (very early!) lunch was delicious! We then rode a trolley to meet the Mayor of Monroe at the Civic Center for the Miss Louisiana Press Conference. We quickly gave hugs to our teens (Go Olivia!) and then we were off for rehearsals.

We began learning our swimsuit production and the beginning of the finale. It's a fun dance and I can't wait for everyone to see the show! After 3 hours of dancing, we came back to the dorms (which are very nice!) to change for dinner at Coda and the Teen Pageant. Speaking of the teens - what a wonderful group of girls: talented, beautiful, & intelligent. Congrats to Kelly Bernard for winning Miss LA Outstanding Teen! Olivia Ruby (Miss Baton Rouge's OT) won 4th runner-up!!! YAY!

After the reception, we headed back to dorms for relaxation! I'm excited about the upcoming week and all the fun stuff ahead! Well I'm going to head to bed and get some well deserved rest!

•   Special thanks to Ethan, Jacob, & Caroline for the beautiful flowers!

A full day of rehearsal - whew! But the show will be great! Lots of variety in song and dance, even a live band from Monroe. After the morning rehearsals, we went to ULM Library for a luncheon with the university. The conference area is beautiful! We all took pictures in t-shirts representing our respective universities - Go LSU! Then we were back to rehearsing! After four more hours of dance, we headed back towards the dorm to primp for Blair's reception held at Dr. Jarrell's home.

It was beautiful - even complete with a hundred year old swing, inside swimming pool, basketball court, and a Jacuzzi that can hold half the contestants! Once we returned to the dorm, the hostesses read us a bedtime story to which we exchanged gifts! It was a great day - long - but great! Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

•  Thanks to everyone for your support this week!

Early morning! The Azalea group moved into the theater while the Magnolia's prepared for INTERVIEW! We practiced a little and even finished a little earlier in order to get back to the dorm and get ready for our interview. It was a long wait for me until 2:59 pm (my interview slot). Everyone looked sharp - the judges definitely had their own style show!! It was relieving for interviews to be through, everyone felt like a huge weight had been lifted.

We spent the afternoon at Pecanland Mall. We were in the Dilliard's fashion show and visited Merle Norman's. It was great being able to see directors, family, and our FDL Princesses (Go Maci!!). The fun was short as we returned to rehearsals. The FDL Princesses are precious and they will steal the show! Once again we got to leave a full hour earlier than expected to get rest and prepare for THURSDAY - competition day 2. This week has been awesome and definitely a week we will never forget!

Today was the first day of preliminary competitions! YAY! We spent the morning rehearsing to ensure the audience a great show! We had lunch with the Rotary Club and it was a wonderful lunch! It was also nice to sit down and just enjoy visiting with other people of the community.

The Azalea's had a princess party with our FDL Princesses - it was such a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. The Magnolia's practiced talent as they compete in talent & on-stage questions. For lunch we headed over to McAllister's for dinner and some trivia! I won a t-shirt (which I gave to my host mom, Ms. Candy)! Thank heavens I know the "Capitals of the World" (meaning festivals throughout LA). Then we were off to get ready for the pageant!

What a night! My FDL Princess, Maci Logan, was absolutely beautiful. I believe she stole the show! You can check out the pictures in the gallery from today! Thanks again to everyone for your support and gifts!

Congrats to Katie Cook - winner of SS and Brittany McGehee - winner of talent

The final day of prelims! It has been such a wonderful week. To know that I am accomplishing a dream of mine - and to be here at the Miss LA pageant is a dream come true. Before competitions, we visited the St. Francis Cabrini Hospital and toured the NICU and Labor & Delivery unit. After the tour and dinner, we all went back to the theater to get ready for the pageant. Congratulations to Kenley Minchew - winner of talent; and Hope Anderson - winner of SS.

As the week closes, we move out of the dorms and begin to say our good-byes. It was such an unbelievable week. I met so many people and learned so much about the Miss Louisiana Pageant. Today, after we moved out of the dorms we spent a few hours in rehearsals and then primped for the big night. Only ten women will compete for the title of Miss LA - then five and finally one will be named Miss Louisiana 2009. Good luck to everyone!

WOW! What a night! Congratulations to the top ten, top five, and our new Miss LA! Everyone did a wonderful job!

• Ravayna Tracey - Top Ten
• Brandy Hotard -Top Ten
• Erica Durr - Top Ten
• Brittany McGehee - Top Ten, Prelim Talent Winner
  
• Lacy Thibodeaux - Top Ten
  
• Joy Thomason - 4th Runner Up
  
• Courtney Haynes - 3rd Runner Up
• Kenley Minchew -2nd Runner Up, Prelim Talent Winner
  
• Hope Anderson - 1st Runner Up, Prelim SS Winner
• Katherine Putnam - Miss LA 2009

Special Awards

• Katie Cook, Preliminary Swimsuit Winner
  
• Internet People's Choice: Meghan Melder
• CMN Miracle Maker: Mandi Ridgdell
• MAO Community Service: Erin Husbands
• MAO Academic Award: Brittany McGehee
• Newcomer Award: Kenley Minchew
• Miss Congeniality: Lauren Lachney
• Non-Finalist Talent Winners:
  • Mandi Ridgdell
  • Erin Husbands
  • Lauren Lachney
  • Heather Williams