Erica Durr, a 20-year-old senior toxicology major from Marthaville, was crowned Miss University of Louisiana at Monroe at the 55th Annual Miss ULM Pageant Nov. 1 in Brown Auditorium.

Durr, the daughter of David and Tommie, also won the talent and evening gown portions of the pageant. Her talent is a classical aria performace of “Porgi, Amor," and her platform is “Raising Awareness for Domestic Abuse and Its Impact on Children.”

Other winners include:

• First runner-up and winner of the swimsuit portion: Hope Anderson of Monroe
  
• Second runner-up and winner of the interview portion: Jeremeka Bradley of Shreveport
  
• Third runner-up: Lindsey Eickman of Garland, Texas
  
• Fourth runner-up: Maggie Gras of Shreveport

The following were each awarded a one-time $250 scholarship: Allyson Hardaway, Miss Congeniality; Anderson, People's Choice Award; Mallary Soileau, Advertisement Sales Winner; Latoya Clark, Academic Award. Campus Activities Board and Student Government Association sponsored the scholarships.

Durr, Miss ULM, will receive a scholarship covering full basic tuition, a private one-bedroom on-campus apartment, an award from the ULM bookstore ($300), a two-semester meal plan awarded by CAB, and a $4,000 cash prize awarded by the SGA.

CAB will award Anderson, the first runner-up, a tuition scholarship for two semesters and Bradley, the second runner-up, a tuition scholarship for one semester. The SGA will give Eickman, third runner-up, a one-time $1,000 scholarship and Gras, fourth runner-up, a one-time $750 scholarship.

More about the contestants:

Contestant number one is Lindsey Eickman, a 19-year-old sophomore in construction management from Garland, Texas. Her platform is “Reducing Your Environmental Footprint.” Her talent is a vocal performance of “Il Mio Bel Foco.” She is the daughter of Scott and Mary Eickman.



Maggie Gras, a 19-year-old freshman in general business from Shreveport, is contestant number two. Her platform is “Reaching Out to Victims of Domestic Violence.” Her talent is a vocal performance of “Be Thou My Vision.” She is the daughter of Pamela and John Gras.

Contestant number three is Allyson Hardaway, a 19-year-old sophomore in pre dental hygiene from Bossier. Her platform is “Bringing Out the Best in Kids.” Her talent is a monologue entitled “Noah’s Wife.” She is the daughter of Steve and Angie Kelly.



Hope Anderson, a 19-year-old sophomore in mass communications with a concentration in journalism from Monroe, is contestant number four. Her platform is “Love the Skin You’re In.” Her talent is a ballet en pointe peformance of “It’s About That Walk.” She is the daughter of Onna and Alan Gallagher and of Mike and Brenda Anderson.



Contestant number five is Latoya Clark, a 21-year-old senior in English Education from Utica, Miss. Her platform is “Reading, Writing and Computer Literacy.” Her talent is a rhythm and blues/soul vocal performance of “At Last” by Etta James. She is the daughter of Edna C. Clark.



Contestant number seven is Mallary Soileau, a 21-year-old senior in exercise science – physical therapy from Pineville. Her platform is “Fighting for a Cure: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.” Her talent is a jazz dance performance of “Sing, Sing, Sing.” She is the daughter of Rick and Patty Soileau.



Jeremeka Bradley, an 18-year-old freshman in criminal justice/psychology from Shreveport, is contestant number eight. Her platform is “Building Leadership Skills Through Volunteerism.” Her talent is a vocal performance of “And I’m Telling You.” She is the daughter of Jessica Bradley and Charles Denson.



Miss ULM serves as the official hostess of ULM and represents the school at the Miss Louisiana Pageant.

For more information about the Miss ULM pageant, contact: (318) 342-5292.


Photos by Richard Lupo, University Photo Services