Miss Minden readies for Miss La. pageant

Miss Minden 2015 Baylee Howell prepared for a busy week Friday evening, trying on and showing off the outfits she will wear as she represents Minden in the Miss Louisiana pageant set for Saturday, June 27. She began her journey for the week Sunday as she and 35 other contestants prepare and vie for the title of Miss Louisiana.

Howell, 18, fourth from left, is wearing the dress, from Belle of the Ball, she will don for the on-stage interview. She is the third youngest contestant of the entire group. Her platform is Hope for the Homeless. The pageant preliminaries begin Thursday with the onstage interview, and Friday, with the evening gown and swimsuit competition.

The top 10 will be announced Saturday and a new Miss Louisiana will be crowned. Howell is a graduate of Lakeside High School and will begin the fall semester at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, majoring in pharmacy.