Zeta's Got Your Back: Miss LSU

Competition is difficult, but when you've got your sister by your side, it becomes just a little bit easier.

Keighley Kelley and Alyssa Hooter talk about competing in Miss LSU and having a support system through Zeta Tau Alpha.

What is your academic year, major/minor and hometown?

Keighley:

I'm a freshman from Covington, LA, and I'm studying children and family studies!

Alyssa:

I'm a senior majoring in biology and minoring in psychology, and I am also pre-pharmacy. I am from New Orleans, Louisiana!

Why did you decide to compete in Miss LSU?

Keighley:

I've done pageants for a couple years now and love the sisterhood it brings along with being able to promote my platform of suicide awareness and education. I have been going to the Miss LSU pageant since I was 13, so when I was finally a freshman and eligible I couldn't wait to sign up! 

Alyssa:

I have always loved watching beauty pageants and have looked up to the courage the women competing displayed! (Me and my mom always bond over watching the Miss Universe and Miss America pageants together!) The last few years I have heard about Miss LSU and was always interested, but I never quite thought I could compete in something like that; this year I kind of had one of those "if not now, then when?" moments and signed up! I already knew I would be sharing my platform on Mental Health and Awareness because of how much my heart is invested in mental health disorders (being the sibling of an autistic brother). Everyone involved in Miss LSU has been so helpful in sharing tips, tricks, and everything you need to know about pageantry, so I don't feel like a "newbie" at all! 

How do you feel about competing in Miss LSU?

Keighley:

So far I'm pretty much just excited. I've had a great support system throughout this entire process, so it's been so much fun getting ready! I can't wait to show off how hard I've been working! 

Alyssa:

I am so unbelievably excited for this event! Of course I am nervous for interview, but the excitement I feel overweighs that by a landslide! My friends have been pumping me up and constantly wondering what's going on at all of our practices! The participants have been so much nicer than I expected when signing up, and I honestly want them all to be my best friend (lol)! The most asked question I get is if I'm nervous for swimsuit, and I'm not nervous about swimsuit at all! My swimsuit is super cute, and I can't wait to show it off along with all of my hard work, on Sunday!

How has competing with one of your sisters helped you through this?

Keighley:

Pageants are a lot of work and being able to have Alyssa doing it with me has been so helpful! we definitely have become a lot closer and it's nice having her to practice with and just talk through our nerves. I think we have both just had so much fun throughout this entire process and getting to share it with her is just the icing on the cake.  

Alyssa:

Keighley has helped me so much because she is a seasoned veteran in pageants! Furthermore, it just helps a lot to have someone there where if I'm feeling behind she usually says something like "oh no I haven't gotten my outfit for that either yet!" It makes me feel much better, and it's been great having a familiar face with me on stage! We are kind of next to each other for opening number, so hopefully we can snag a cute pic next to each other on stage!

Any final thoughts/anything you want to let your sisters know?

Keighley:

I just can't thank everyone enough for all of their support - from the texts messages to wardrobe help! I am so blessed to be apart of such an amazing sisterhood - from our own chapter to all of the zetas from other chapters sending their best wishes. I'm filled with joy because win or lose on Sunday, I am still walking away with the best sisterhood to be apart of and not everyone can say that. 

Alyssa:

There's so much I could let y'all know!! But most importantly I want all my sisters to know just how beautiful they are, and every time you tell me "I could never do that," I have never believed in anything more than I believe that you can!!!!! There's so much beauty in each and every one of y'all, and if you ever considered participating in Miss LSU I really hope you do! And if Miss LSU isn't your thing, I hope that me going after something I'm not the most experienced in (but have always wanted to try) inspires you to go after that thing you've always had your eye on but felt you weren't deserving enough - BECAUSE YOU ARE!

Thank you all so much for the support you've been showing me and Keighley, and we can't wait to hear y'all cheering for us this Sunday at 6pm!!! See ya there!