University alumna and former Student Government Senator Ashley Hebert will represent Louisiana in the 2013 Miss International Pageant on July 26 and 27 in Chicago.
The former Miss Black Louisiana and current Miss Louisiana International will compete against girls spanning from age 19 to 29.
“I was 27 when I was crowned Miss Black Louisiana in 2012; that was my first pageant ever and my first title ever,” Hebert said. “I wanted to do something new I never experienced before.”
Hebert went on to compete in Miss Black USA and ranked in the top 15.
“It was a great experience,” she said. “My platform was nationally published.”
Her platform, education, was published by prominent new sources, including USA Today and The Washington Examiner.
Hebert’s three-step process for cultivating education includes: improving pre-k enrollment, improving K-12 performance and improving political participation especially among minorities.
While at the University, she formed SG’s Black Caucus. Hebert said she created the caucus to let African-American students know that they have a voice in SG.
After completing a bachelor’s and a master’s at the University, Hebert accepted the position as a legislative analyst in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
“A lot of girls do a pageant to get a platform, but I had a platform so I did a pageant,” she said.
Hebert is also involved locally with non-profit organizations including the Cinderella Project and Stand for Children.
She currently serves on the board of directors for The Cinderella Project. Church groups and girl groups also ask her to make appearances.
Between Miss Black Louisiana and Miss International, Hebert started her own pageant coaching business, Miss Congeniality Pageant Professionals.
Because Louisiana does not have a Miss International Pageant, Hebert underwent an intense interview before she was crowned.
The Miss International Pageant consists of four parts: interview, evening gown, fitness wear and fun fashion.
If given the title of Miss International, Hebert said she would serve as a representative for the American Heart Association and promote her personal platform.
