MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The Miss America program has provided women a launching pad for success for more than a century.
Miss Louisiana’s Teen Melissa Le and Miss Louisiana Olivia Grace George, both of Ruston, left their mark on Miss America history earlier this month at the national competition in Orlando.
The duo spent 10 days making appearances and competing in various stages of the competition, including private interviews, an on-stage question, physical fitness, talent and evening gown.
“To compete with Melissa on the Miss America and the Miss America’s Teen stage was absolutely unreal. This is a dream that we have had for going on two years now. I mean, because we started out as preliminary title holders together, so now to be on the national stage together was just so amazing, I am very grateful I got to do it all with Melissa by my side,” George said.
For George, the experience was a lifetime in the making.
“This has been seven years involved in the Miss America opportunity. But I have been watching Miss America for many, many years before that. And so ever since I was little, I mean I just grew up watching these incredible leaders represent their state on the stage and that’s really when it became a dream. I wanted to inspire and empower people, just like these leaders did me, and I am just so grateful that I was able to represent Louisiana on the national stage.”
George says she is thankful for every opportunity she has been given, especially being able to share her love of dance, as well as furthering her education at Louisiana Tech University nearly debt-free.
She hopes to leave a legacy after her year of service.
“I hope that I can leave a legacy of truly being yourself. For many years of going through the Miss America opportunity, I was trying to become someone that they were looking for, but I learned that the more that I did this that it was so much better and so much easier just to be myself, and that’s when I started to feel best on stage, when I was myself. So I hope that I can show everyone, and I hope everyone knows to just be themselves on that stage because that is the best thing you can be,” George said.
For Le, the journey to the Miss America opportunity was different, she competed for two years to capture the title. She shared what it was like to be recognized as a talent winner, and a top 11 finalist.
“I couldn’t stop crying, I just remember thinking ‘I couldn’t believe I had finally done it’. It’s a big dream of mine. I started pageantry because my piano teacher was a local title holder in the Miss Louisiana organization, and her daughter was a former Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen. So, I wanted to continue paying forward that and when I won the award, I just couldn’t believe it,” Le said.
Le says that she hopes that through her service, she has been able to break stereotypes for the women after her.
“I am not the stereotypical pageant girl. I don’t look like what a lot of people think of when they they think of a Miss America title holder. So, I was really glad when I won this title that I had that opportunity to show every young person that it doesn’t matter your background; It shouldn’t define you,” Le said.
George and Le say that their relationship is a testament to the organization’s pillar of sisterhood.
“I hope that through our legacy, people are able to see the power of the sisterhood pillar of the Miss America opportunity. I feel like mine and Melissa’s relationship really shows how deep and meaningful sisterhood really is. Like I said, Melissa and I have been together for two years now so we have really been able to build this friendship that’s going to last for years to come, thanks to the Miss America opportunity.”
The duo say they are grateful to the Miss Louisiana Board and everyone that has supported them on their journeys.
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