MONROE, La. — The fourth time turned out to be the charm for Hope Anderson, a Monroe resident who has been crowned Miss Louisiana 2011.
The News-Star of Monroe reported that Anderson received the honor late Saturday night at the 48th annual Miss Louisiana pageant at the W.L. "Jack" Howard Theatre in Monroe. Wearing a red dress, she waved to the crowd as she was crowned by predecessor Kelsi Crain and received a white sash.
The 22-year-old Anderson is a December graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a former Miss Monroe. She entered the contest as Miss Spirit of Ruston.
The first runner-up was Miss Lafayette Carley McCord. She was followed by Miss Capital City Andrea Sonnier; Miss Holiday in Dixie Mallory Cox; and Miss Monroe Lauren Vizza.
Anderson won the preliminary fitness and evening gown competitions Friday night and performed a dance as her talent. She will represent the state at the Miss America Pageant.
This was Anderson's fourth year competing in the pageant. She'd made the Top 10 each time but never won. She said the honor was special because "I have truly wanted this job for a long time and to have it pay off is unlike anything I've ever felt."