Southeastern Louisiana University

Miss Southeastern 2006 to be crowned Feb. 8

Contact: Christina Chapple

2/2/06

WHO WILL WEAR THE MISS SOUTHEASTERN 2006 CROWN? -- Contestants in the 2006 Miss Southeastern pageant, scheduled for Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, are, from left, Alaina Champagne, Blair Abene, Christie Chavers, Rachel Nicholson, Stacey Fradella, Erin Richard, Lisa Martinez, and Shaletha Fisher.

       HAMMOND – Heather Williams of Slidell, Miss Southeastern 2005, will crown her successor, one of eight contestants in the annual Southeastern Louisiana University pageant, scheduled for 7 p.m., Feb. 8, at the university's Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts in downtown Hammond.

       Held at Southeastern since 1949, the pageant has been a Miss America preliminary since 1962. The pageant is sponsored by the Campus Activities Board. Admission is free.

       The theme of the 2006 Pageant is "Miss Southeastern Goes to Vegas," said CAB Coordinator Jason Leader.

       Contestants are freshman nursing major Stacey Fradella of Violet; junior general studies major Erin Richard of Carencro; junior psychology major Christie Chavers of Walker; sophomore speech, language and hearing major Shaletha Fisher of Baton Rouge; sophomore management major Lisa Martinez of Denham Springs; sophomore music and mass communication major Blair Abene of Hammond; junior early childhood education major Rachel Nicholson of  Destrehan; and senior elementary education major Alaina Champagne of Slidell.

       The contestants will compete in four competitions including personal interview, swimsuit, talent and evening wear.

       Leader said the pageant is also reprising a new feature from last year’s event, the "People's Choice Award," as a way of collecting donations for Habitat for Humanity, Williams' 2005 platform. Donations in each 2006 contestant's name can be made in the War Memorial Student Union Mall and in the theater lobby on the night of the pageant.