NEWS

Photo credit: Steven Palowsky, the official Miss Louisiana photographer

Aspiring educator and Louisiana Tech senior Olivia Grace George was recently crowned Miss Louisiana 2024. George competed in the pageant as Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival and received the health and fitness preliminary award, which earned her a spot in the top five. She competed against 32 contestants and won more than $25,000 in scholarships toward her education at Tech.

“This job is the opportunity to lead, serve, and share my community service initiative throughout our great state of Louisiana,” George said. “I plan to empower our students to become strong leaders and grow their love for learning.”

George plans to follow in her parents’ footsteps and become a third-generation schoolteacher after earning her degree in elementary education from the College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS). Throughout her home life, she personally experienced the profound impact of education and knows the joy of falling in love with learning. She hopes to inspire the same passion for education in Louisiana’s youth.

“Through my education courses, I have been fortunate to see firsthand the impact strong leaders have in the classroom,” George said. “Students have the potential to lead in and out of the classroom, and it’s my job to show students their capabilities of making a difference.”

“Olivia is wonderful with children and works flawlessly with her peers in class,” Dr. Lynne Stratton, associate professor for the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership, said. “She is dependable and energetic, and her enthusiasm for learning is contagious.”

Along with her passion for education, George created an initiative that reflects her dedication to educational development. Her “Education is KEY – Knowledge Empowers Youth” initiative focuses on partnering with schools across the state to advocate and empower learning for young people.

“Olivia’s work with ‘Education is KEY’ is so meaningful to all of us,” Dr. Henrietta Williams Pichon, CEHS dean, said. “Her pathway into education illustrates the power of knowledge, and we all cheer her on as she sheds light on the importance of learning at these critical junctures of development. We are so proud of her.”

“One of the most important teaching characteristics is to be an effective communicator to students, colleagues, parents, and school leaders, and Olivia is stellar,” Dr. Amy Vessel, director of the Clinical Residency and Recruitment Center, said. “She is highly respected by the entire Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership, and we can’t wait to support her “Education is KEY” platform as she engages with schools across our state. Olivia is truly making her mark in the classroom.”

George is actively involved in campus life at Louisiana Tech. She was recently selected co-captain of the Regal Blues dance team and is a proud member of Sigma Kappa sorority where she participates in various philanthropic activities and fosters a spirit of sisterhood and service. She is also part of the Peer Leadership Council and Student Recruiters, showcasing her leadership and dedication to her university.

As the new Miss Louisiana, George will use the knowledge she’s gained through her education classes to make a positive impact and transform children’s lives.

“Together, we can build a Louisiana where every child thrives, communities flourish, and our state excels, recognizing that education is key,” George said.