MONROE, LA. (KNOE 8 News) -
A group of well-wishers from all ages arrived at Monroe Regional Airport on Tuesday morning to send off Miss Louisiana, Lauren Vizza, as she boarded her flight for Las Vegas and the 2013 Miss America Pageant.
"I'm really excited," Vizza said. "It's the best way to start off the new year."
The 2013 Miss America Pageant begins next Tuesday and ends with the crowning on Jan. 13 and Vizza said she's bringing the Louisiana flavor to Vegas, to try to take the crown.
"I'm actually wearing a Duck Commander shirt to rehearsal one day that says 'Happy, Happy, Happy' on it," she said. "I'm doing stuff in black and gold for opening numbers. I am embracing every stereotype that people are going to throw at Louisiana."
"We're leaving here with a 1-in-53 chance but Lauren has worked very hard. She's done an excellent job," Executive Director for the Miss Louisiana Organization, Dewana Little, said. "Certainly, we hope to bring back the Miss America crown to Louisiana."
But Vizza said she's also boarding her plane with a purpose.
As ambassador for Louisiana's Children's Miracle Network hospitals and March of Dimes, she believes she's taking the hopes of every child she's met with her.
"For a lot of those children, I'm doing things that they might not get to do," said Vizza. "For little girls that wanted to play with my crown that have leukemia and may not see their next birthday, I feel like I'm doing it for them. I'm being their princess."
A sentiment echoed by her younger fans.
"Everybody support her and everybody wish her good luck," said 8-year-old fan, Madison Basco.
Vizza's pageant team will be feeding us updates directly from Las Vegas as the pageant goes on.
Keep it right here on KNOE 8 News as we keep you updated on Vizza's progress.
