Nelson wins Miss Louisiana
Miss Crescent City New Orleans April Nelson was crowned Miss Louisiana 2015 to wild applause in the Monroe Civic Center Saturday night.
Nelson, of Mandeville, is an Oklahoma City University graduate. Her platform is "IOU, Improving Others Through U."
She sang "Climb Every Mountain" in the talent competition.
She was chosen from a field of 35 contestants as the 52nd Miss Louisiana to be crowned in Monroe. Nelson next will represent Louisiana in the Miss America pageant.
Nelson is a professional entertainer. She has a bachelor of arts in music.
"I feel like I'm from New Orleans," she said of her title, adding she spends a lot of time there because there's always live music.
Nelson started in pageants as a teenager and was named Miss Outstanding Teen in 2008. She said she earned $70,000 in scholarships that helped pay for her college education.
In addition to the financial aid, she said the competitions offered her opportunities she never would have had otherwise, including the ability to perform for large audiences, showcase what she feels a woman should be and work on personal improvement.
First runner-up was awarded to Miss Shreveport Justin Ker. Rounding out the top five were Miss Taste of the Twin Cities Holli' Conway; Miss Louisiana Tech University Eva Edinger; and Miss Southeastern Louisiana University Emily Randon.
Saturday's competition began with an opening number followed by the announcement of the Top 10 contestants. Others in the top 10 were: Miss Heart of Trenton Amy Matherne, Miss University of Louisiana at Monroe Lauren Ford, Miss Southern Oaks Reneé Picou, Miss Spirit of Ruston Julianne Tippen and Miss Dixie Gem Peach Kelly Bernard.
The top 10 contestants competed in lifestyle and fitness swimsuit, evening wear and talent. The field then was narrowed to five who then competed in the on-stage question category. Final scores were tabulated by using a score from each category.
Miss Natchitoches Morgan Tanner was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Miss Pride of Central Deon Sumer won the healthy living award.
On Friday night, Nelson won Friday's preliminary talent competition singing, and Edinger won the lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit competition.
In Thursday's preliminary competition, Miss Holiday in Dixie Stephanie Averitt won the lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit competition and Ford was recognized for her fiddle playing in the talent competition.
Meet the winner
Check online Sunday afternoon and in the Monday print edition for an interview with the newly crowned Miss Louisiana.