Organizers of the Miss Minden pageant have released the biographies of contestants who will compete in the 73rd anniversary of the long-running community tradition, which is held in conjunction with Minden’s Fasching and Mardi Gras season.
Four contestants will compete for the title of Miss Minden.
Sa’Maya Boxley is from Vivian and plans to pursue a career in the music industry as a recording artist and music producer. She emphasizes self-discipline as a foundation for confidence and opportunity and encourages young people to pursue their passions and purpose.
Keuntae Jones said she is grateful for the opportunity to compete for Miss Minden and represent her community, with a focus on faith, service and purpose.
Jillian Duggan, 22, is a Shreveport native pursuing a professional career in dance. She is a recent graduate of Northwestern State University with a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance and previously served as captain of the Demon Dazzler Danceline and president of the Dance Organization of Students. Duggan currently teaches at dance studios in Shreveport and works with traveling dance companies.
Jazzie Jackson was born in Shreveport and raised in Dallas before returning to Louisiana. She is a second-year law student at the LSU Law Center and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jackson said her goals center on service, leadership and social justice, with aspirations to use the law to make a positive impact in her community.
Several contestants will compete in the Miss Minden’s Teen division.
Julia Cox is 17 and a junior at Mangham High School. She has danced for 15 years and promotes her community service initiative, “Embracing Uniqueness,” which focuses on encouraging people of all ages to value their individual qualities.
Bella Miller is involved in FBLA, BETA and the National Honor Society and volunteers in the nursery at her church. She enjoys dance, gardening and caring for animals and said she strives to serve others with compassion while living with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS.
Aubrey Champion is a vocalist who uses music as the focus of her community service initiative, “Anchored in Tune.” Her efforts emphasize confidence, emotional resilience and self-expression through music.
Abigail Basham is a high school sophomore from Haughton whose community service initiative supports her local fire department through outreach and education. She said her approach to leadership is rooted in faith, service and strengthening community connections.
Sydney Sotak said she has a strong passion for dance and is trained in multiple styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and modern. She also highlighted her enjoyment of performing on stage and her energetic personality.
Morgan Carson said she has a long-standing commitment to supporting military members and first responders and is passionate about ventriloquism as a form of entertainment. She is also involved in volunteer work and community service.
The Miss Minden pageant, which will be held on January 17 at the Minden High School, remains a highly anticipated community tradition, bringing together contestants, families and residents to celebrate local pride while helping usher in Minden’s Fasching season.