Published June 25, 2025
CAPTION:Newly crowned Miss Louisiana 2025 Gabrelle McLeod, a ULM student, met with ULM President
Dr. Carrie Castille following her win.
MONROE, LA – ULM student Gabrelle McLeod was crowned Miss Louisiana 2025 on Saturday, June 21,
2025, at the Monroe Civic Center. McLeod, a senior kinesiology and exercise science
major from Vicksburg, Miss., competed as Miss Cane River. This was her second time
competing at Miss Louisiana after placing in the top five in 2024 as Miss University
of Louisiana Monroe. McLeod will represent Louisiana at the Miss America 2026 competition
in Orlando, Fla., from Sept. 2-7, 2025.
“Congratulations to Gabrelle McLeod on being crowned Miss Louisiana. All of us at
ULM are incredibly proud of her hard work and dedication. She is a true representation
of the Warhawk spirit. I know that she will serve in her role with excellence and
we wish her the best as she competes for the title of Miss America,” said ULM President
Dr. Carrie Castille.
In addition to the title of Miss Louisiana, McLeod also won the Overall Talent and
Overall Fitness awards.
“I am over the moon, and I am ready to represent Louisiana with all that I have,”
McLeod said in an interview with KNOE-TV immediately following her win.
McLeod’s platform as Miss Louisiana is “Head In the Game,” which is meant to help
implement and encourage youth fitness and athletic participation across the state.
McLeod was one of six ULM students who competed in Miss Louisiana 2025. Other participants
included Miss University of Louisiana Monroe Lake Carpenter, Miss Ouachita Parish
Genevieve Alexander, Miss Louisiana Stockshow Katherine McCullars, Miss Heart of Pilot
Laura Grace Rader, and Miss Belle of the Bayou Shelby Weaver.
Alexander, Carpenter, McCullars, and Weaver all advanced to the Top 11. Miss ULM Lake
Carpenter took home the Overall Dancer Award and Miss Ouachita Parish Genevieve Alexander
took home the Women in Business Award.
“We are thrilled to have had six outstanding Warhawk women competing in Miss Louisiana,”
said President Castille. “These ladies are shining examples of what can be accomplished
with diligence, passion, and dedication,” she added.
“We are incredibly proud of all six students for representing the University with
excellence, confidence, and heart. Their success continues to inspire our community
and showcase the exceptional talent on our campus,” said Dr. Valerie Fields, ULM Vice
President for Student Affairs.
Fields congratulated McLeod on her title win by saying, “Her passion, poise, and commitment
to service wowed the judges and earned her the top honor.”
For more information about the Miss Louisiana Organization and to keep up with news
about Gabrelle McLeod’s reign as Miss Louisiana 2025, visit www.misslouisiana.com
CAPTION: Six ULM students competed in Miss Louisiana 2025. L-R: Miss Louisiana Stockshow Katherine McCullars, Miss Belle of the Bayou Shelby Weaver, Miss University of Louisiana Monroe Lake Carpenter, Miss Heart of Pilot Laura Grace Rader, Miss Cane
River Gabrelle McLeod (Miss Louisiana 2025), and Miss Ouachita Parish Genevieve Alexander
