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Louisiana's Reigning Court
Shailyn Croom
Miss Louisiana Plus Queen
Born and raised in New Orleans, Shailyn Croom was enriched in the culture of her city! Shailyn graduated from Loyola University of New Orleans where she majored in Business Administration with a minored in Business Management. During that time she also joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
After graduating, she sought to build an entrepreneurial empire of her own. She owns and operates businesses within event design and coordination, media marketing, and the plus size clothing industry. Of all her business ventures, Seaux & Seaux The Curvy Boutique is her pride and joy. The brand delivers body positivity to the fashion industry as she displays confidence and breaks down the limitations of what is “suitable” for the plus size body. Shailyn has often been invited to share her entrepreneurial journey with like-minded business women.
Shailyn has taken the opportunity to make her mark amongst many plus size women in sharing the insights of plus size fashion. Not only has she nurtured her own brand, she has built a community of plus size women she educates on the expansion of plus size fashion. She has been awarded the opportunity to participate in the campaigns of many well-known multi-million plus size brands.
As a little girl, Shailyn often searched for representation she needed in fashion and media. She has viewed plus size women being pushed to the background and searches to change this narrative every day. Shailyn searches to empower and inspire women through her entrepreneurial enlightenment and body positivity. The message she intends to share throughout her journey is, “If you don’t feel like there is a place you fit into in this world, you go out and create it!"
Faith in what she could accomplish was instilled in her by her grandmother who often had her recite, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Joi Smith
Ms. Louisiana Plus Queen
Joi Smith is the reigning title holder to win the prestigious title of Ms. Louisiana Plus America 2022 and Ms. Baton Rouge Plus America ®.
She is no stranger to the pageant world; she began her pageant journey in 2019 in the Miss Full-Figured Pageant where she was 2nd Runner Up in 2021. She later joined the Miss Louisiana Plus America Pageant where she was crowned as Ms. Baton Rouge Plus America, she then went on to compete for the state title of Ms. Louisiana Plus America where she was crowned in April 2022 at the Monroe Convention Center in Monroe, Louisiana.
Joi believes strongly in the healthy arena of pageant competition and encourages others to follow their dreams and be confident!
Joi is an active volunteer with various organizations to make a difference in the world around her. Joi’s platform is Child Advocacy because she believes children deserve love, compassion, and quality of life no matter who they are or what situation they are in. She has volunteered with the battered women’s shelter and child advocacy group of Baton Rouge.
Raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, she attributes her hard work ethic and moral values with her rural upbringing. She is the daughter of Harold and Ann Smith. Joi has one daughter Hannah Smith.
Joi is a proud alumnus of Jackson State University and Hope Bible
College. She currently works as a paralegal for a small non-profit law firm.
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Patrena Blake
Miss Pelican State Plus Queen
Patrena Blake is the daughter of the late Peter L Blake the and Rev. Pamela Blake. She is the youngest of three children. And she graduated from Southern Arkansas University with a bachelors degree in criminal justice in a minor in sociology.
Patrena continued her career and education when she moved to Monroe Louisiana in 2018 after Graduation. She has work in corrections and rehabilitation and reentry since graduating from college. She is a now certified counselor in training, as well as holding other certifications.
Patrena's hobbies include traveling with family, reading, along with learning new skills like a party decorating and hair styling.
Her platform is a offender reintegration. It is a platform and life purpose born while she worked in corrections. Patrena has meet with many offenders who wanted to return to society as positive influences on the world. Her motto is their number is not their name. She wants to one day open transitional program and house to be able to help these individuals become positive influences in society.
Patrina was crowned Miss Pelican State 2022 and went on to compete in nationals this past July. She said that the Miss Plus America pageant has brought her a new life and has given her the confidence she has always needed to face anything the world throws at her. She has learned no matter what that she does her best when she is putting her best foot forward and always being herself. It is the best thing that she could offer anybody in any circumstance.
Khyra-LeahAnn Robinson
Miss Teen Louisiana Plus Queen
Khyra-LeahAnn Robinson is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Roderick Gaddis and Mr. and Mrs. Marcus England. She hails from Monroe, Louisiana.
She is a current student at Carroll High School. Khyra-LeahAnn maintains a 3.8 GPA while taking all honors classes.
Khyra’s extracurricular activities include: being a member of the Carroll High Lady BullDogs Softball Team, Powerlifting Team, and recently crowned Miss Freshman Maid.
Outside of school Khyra is a member of Trudie B. Jackson Youth Fraternity #13 Order of Eastern Star, Les Martinique Social and Civic Club. She is a member of Peter Rock Baptist Church under the Leadership of Pastor Victor L. Mitchell.
Khyra holds the Title Miss Teen Louisiana Plus America. She also
captured the Crowns for Miss Elegant Teen and Teens People's Choice.
Her platform is Advocating for Teens with low self-esteem. Khyra’s future goals and endeavors are to attend Grambling State University and Graduate with a MSN/FNP then complete her Medical Schooling at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana.