Louisiana has been one of the more stable states in terms of contestant numbers since 2009 and again, both the Miss and Teen division numbers are similar to recent years. The biggest drop has been the Teen numbers in 2007 & 2008 (and I would assume prior to that, my numbers only start in 07) compared to any year from 2009 on - there were once 50-60 teens in Louisiana, since 2009 an average of only 34.
Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2012, Marlee Henry will be only the second former Teen titleholder in the past decade to compete for the Miss title - her predecessor Brittany Guidry won the title on her first attempt in 2014. Three of last year's Miss LA USA runners-up are returning: 1RU Bethany Trahan, 2RU Lauren Vizza, and 3RU Scarlett Blades. Lauren was Miss Louisiana 2012 and will be competing for the fourth time. All five of last year's remaining top ten group are also back, including my perennial favourite Devin Boyd who is competing again thanks to the recent age extension. The other four are Rachel North, Helena Cefalu, Krista Toussaint and Kimberly Newville. 2015 third runner-up Tanya Crowe, whose non-finalist placement totally shocked me last year (I had her in my top five after prelims, go figure!) is back - I'm glad she wasn't scared away!!!
2015 winner Candice Bennatt was the first winner with no prior Miss LA USA or Teen USA experience to win in over 17 years - and she was a former Miss New Mexico titleholder & Miss America contestant. It will be interesting to see if that trend continues this year!
The last two Teen winners have been newcomers, whilst the three before them had placed in the top ten the year prior to their victory.
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Contestant list
- Krista Toussant • Acadiana (T10 16, NF 15, T18 14, NF LA TUSA 11)
- Shaunice Coleman • Ascension Parish
- Tanya Crowe • Baton Rouge (NF 16, 3RU 15)
- Francine Moulton • Bossier City
- Morgan Pete • Breaux Bridge
- Bethany Trahan • Calcasieu (1RU 16)
- Allyson Simmons • Capital City
- Stephanie Averitt • Cenla
- Tyrane Hardy • Fleur De Lis
- Scarlett Blades • Florida Parishes (3RU 16, NF 14)
- Victoria Paul • Forest Creek
- Hope Lewis • Iberville Parish
- Victoria Sagrera • Intracoastal City (T15 16)
- Carly Chaumont • Lafayette
- Marlee Henry • Lakeshore (Miss LA Teen USA 12, T10 11)
- Renee' Picou • Livingston Parish
- Emilie Hebert • LSU (T10 LA TUSA 15)
- Hannah Pittman • Magnolia (NF 15)
- Meagan Miller • Metairie
- Whitney Moss • Mossville (2RU 15, T10 14, 4RU 13, SF 12, 3RU LA TUSA 11, SF 10, 4RU 09, SF 08)
- Kimberly Newville • New Orleans (T10 16, NF 15)
- Emiley Dillon • NOLA
- Chloe Burkett • Northshore (T15 LA TUSA 16, T10 15, NF 14)
- Alyssa Regira • Plaquemine (NF 16, NF LA TUSA 14, T10 13)
- Tatum Mushenski • Red River
- Anna Kirksey • Red Stick (NF 15, NF 14)
- Devin Boyd • River City (T10 16, T10 15, 4RU 14, 1RU 13, T15 12, 4RU 10, 4RU LA TUSA 08)
- Alissa Mincey • Ruston (NF AL TUSA 12)
- Amber Murphy • Saint Charles Ave
- Lauren Vizza • Shreveport (2RU 16, T18 15, T10 14, Miss LA 2012)
- Sara Comiskey • Slidell (T18 15, 3RU LA TUSA 08)
- Ali Williams • Southwest (T15 16, NF LA TUSA 15)
- Candice Savoy • St. Martin Parish
- Ashley Barbier • Sunshine (T15 16, NF 14, NF 11)
- Kristal Breaux • UL
- Gianna Blaudeau • Uptown (NF LA TUSA 15)
- Helena Cefalu • Vermilion River (T10 16)
- Rachel North • Vermilionville (T10 16)
- Isabella Mingalone • Youngsville
TEEN CONTESTANTS (30)
- Claudia Buettner • Acadiana
- Kimberly Ducote • Baton Rouge (NF 16)
- McKay Crews • Bossier City
- Deona Smith • Brusly
- Kamryn Trahan • Calcasieu
- Chloe Stevens • Central Louisiana (NF 16)
- Cami Tynes • City of Central (NF 16)
- Amarie Rowan • Covington
- Keshawn Austin • Hammond
- Gracie Petry • Iberia Parish
- Mea Lopez • Imperial Calcasieu
- Shelby Jordan • Lafayette
- Emily Davis • Lake Charles (3RU 16)
- Haley Sandino • Lake Pontchartrain
- Aixa Crespo • Lake Ramsey
- Carmen Coniglio • Livingston Parish (NF 16)
- Jordan Fuqua • Magnolia State (NF 16, NF 15)
- Cameron LeDay • Moss Bluff
- Kayla Walker • Natchitoches
- Lauren Wall • New Orleans
- Mackenzie Hinderberger • NOLA (NF 15)
- Hailey Crausby • Northshore (T10 16)
- Macie McCoy • Ouachita Parish
- Hailee Wilkins • Pineville
- Brittany Antie • Port Allen
- Katie Scannell • Red Stick (1RU 16, 1RU 15)
- Emma Johnson • Shreveport (NF 16, T10 15)
- Kennidy Peavy • Southwest
- Lindsey Conque • Vermillion River
- Casey Williams • Vernon