Miss Louisiana Volunteer Brings Service, Sisterhood, and Style to the Stage
Written by Lola Magazine | Photography by Brittany Strickland
In a world of pageants and all things beautiful about young women, Lola Magazine is honored to tell the inspiring stories of some of the area’s most lovely ladies—and the visionary organizers who make these events possible. Beyond the crowns, gowns, and glamour, there’s a deeper motivation at the heart of pageant life: to nurture leadership, scholarship, and service in young women. Few organizations embody this mission more powerfully than the Miss Louisiana Volunteer Pageant.
Rooted in Purpose. Built on Service. Designed to Empower.
At its core, Miss Volunteer America is more than a pageant; it’s a national scholarship organization designed to equip young women to lead with purpose. Founded by Allison DeMarcus, a lifelong advocate for service and leadership, the program empowers participants through education, responsibility, volunteerism, and personal growth—all while celebrating style, confidence, and grace. The foundation of the program rests on five guiding principles that serve as both a mission and a mantra: Scholarship. Education. Responsibility. Volunteerism. Empowerment.
Since its founding, Miss Volunteer America has grown into a beacon for young women across the nation who are ready to give back to their communities while pursuing their dreams. It is a sisterhood built on values that last far beyond the stage lights.
Bringing the Volunteer Movement Home to Louisiana
Kayla Rodriguez, Director
In 2021, longtime pageant leader Miss Ann Harmon brought the Miss Volunteer movement to Louisiana, establishing a state-level pageant rooted in service, sisterhood, and scholarship. Her vision was simple yet powerful: create a platform where Louisiana’s young women could thrive, lead, and launch their futures with confidence.
That vision took a new step forward in June 2025, when Kayla Rodriguez assumed the role of Director of Miss Louisiana Volunteer. With an energy as radiant as the contestants she leads, Kayla brings both passion and purpose to her work. She is here for the girls—not only to help them shine in evening gowns and interviews but to guide them in understanding that true beauty radiates from the inside out. Kayla wants the girls to step into the pageant experience knowing they will grow not only in grace, but also in confidence—recognizing themselves as young women of value, with a purpose to pursue and the ability to fulfill it.
“My heart is to surround these young women with mentors and professionals who speak life into them,” Kayla explains. “I want them to experience excellence in every aspect of the pageant process, from representing themselves as brand ambassadors to building meaningful partnerships with businesses and communities who support them.” Under Kayla’s leadership, Miss Louisiana Volunteer is becoming more than a pageant. It is a movement that empowers young women to discover their voice, embrace responsibility, and serve as leaders in their hometowns and beyond.
The Pageant Experience: More Than Sparkle and Shine
While pageantry has long been associated with glamour, sequins, and perfectly polished interviews, Miss Louisiana Volunteer is grounded in something deeper. Contestants participate in service projects, leadership opportunities, and mentorship experiences that prepare them for life far beyond the crown.
For Kayla, the emphasis on volunteerism is key. “When young women serve their communities, they begin to understand the legacy they can create,” she says. “It’s not just about winning a title—it’s about planting seeds that will grow into something meaningful for the next generation.” That belief is reflected in this year’s pageant theme: “The seed you plant today is the legacy you leave.” The phrase captures the essence of what Miss Louisiana Volunteer stands for: service that outlives the spotlight.
Mark Your Calendar: November 7-8 in Minden, Louisiana
(left to right) Anna-Claire Lemoine & Sydney Sotak
This year’s Miss Louisiana Volunteer Pageant promises to be a celebration of beauty, service, and community. The event will take place November 7-8 in Minden, Louisiana, and will include a full weekend of festivities.
The fun begins Friday night with a Gala and Silent Auction fundraiser, where supporters can mingle, bid, and enjoy the excitement leading up to the main event. Saturday will feature the pageant itself, a dazzling showcase of scholarship, style, and service-minded young women.
If you’re in the Minden area that weekend, you may just spot these contestants out and about in the community. Better yet, why not be part of the experience? Tickets are available now, and each purchase supports not just the pageant but the future opportunities of the women who compete.
Kayla and her team are even wrapping the event in a Bridgerton-inspired bow, promising elegance, romance, and a touch of Regency-era flair. Imagine sweeping gowns, timeless music, and a setting fit for queens—southern belles and debutantes reimagined for today.
A Legacy in the Making
For Allison DeMarcus, Ann Harmon, Kayla Rodriguez, and the many women who invest their time and energy into this program, Miss Louisiana Volunteer is more than a weekend event—it is a legacy project. It is about equipping young women with the tools they need to succeed academically, professionally, and personally, while teaching them the lifelong value of giving back.
As Kayla often reminds her contestants, “Your crown is not just what you wear on stage. It’s what you do with the influence you’ve been given.”
This November, as the stage lights glow in Minden and the music swells, the audience will see far more than a pageant. They’ll see the seeds of leadership, purpose, and empowerment taking root—ready to grow into legacies that will impact Louisiana and beyond for years to come.
Because when you plant with purpose, the harvest is always beautiful.
NOV 7-8 | Minden, LA
Gala Tickets