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28/08/2017
Bonnie Bolden, bbolden@thenewsstar.com Published 6:58 a.m. CT Aug. 28, 2017
Miss Louisiana practices her talent
Laryssa Bonacquisti works on her showpiece for Miss America with Lucky and Lucy. She's has been practicing ventriloquism since she was 6. Wochit
Miss Louisiana 2017 Laryssa Bonacquisti listens to a critique from a panel of mock judges after answering interview questions in Biedenharn Hall at the University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, La., Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017.
(Photo: Hannah Baldwin/The News-Star)
How would you encourage volunteerism? Do you feel like the American dream has changed? What about medical marijuana, immigration or hurricane prep?
Laryssa Bonacquisti faced a rapid-fire interview panel on Thursday afternoon as part of her preparations for the Miss America contest. The group drilled her on a broad variety of topics that ranged from the scholarship organization, her goals as Miss America and current politics. The goal was to answer as many questions as possible in nine and a half minutes, then give a 30-second closing statement. Afterward, the panel gave her tips on presentation or suggested information to research. Then they did it again.
Since being crowned in June, Laryssa has been training for the national contest and acting as Miss Louisiana, which involves appearances around the state. She said doing everything she did to prepare for the Miss Louisiana competition, paired with acting as Miss Louisiana, keeps her busy.
Laryssa is a second-generation competitor. Her mother was Miss New Jersey 1990. She said she's gained confidence through her time with the organization, particularly regarding fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle. It's about living well daily, she said, not just preparing for a pageant.
She got in one last afternoon of practice for talent and interviews before departing for the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City. She will leave Monroe Regional Airport early Tuesday and will stay in New Jersey until the new Miss America is crowned on Sept. 10.
Miss Louisiana 2017 Laryssa Bonacquisti rehearses her talent with Lucky, foreground, and Lucy, her ventriloquist dummies, in Brown Auditorium at the University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, La., Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. Bonacquisti leaves from the Monroe Regional Airport Tuesday morning to head to Atlantic City, where she will compete for the crown at Miss America. (Photo: Hannah Baldwin/The News-Star)
Laryssa's mother, Lynette Bonacquisti, plans to chauffeur the puppets Laryssa uses for her talent. Lucky and Lucy are irreplaceable and too precious to risk being lost in transit.
The duo got new duds for their turn at Miss America. Lucy's red dress is one Laryssa wore when she was 5. They had it cut down for the cloth figure.
Those aren't the only puppets making the trip. Laryssa plans to debut King Louie the 54th, a plush gator, while she's there.
The puppets are a great way for her to relate to children in CMN hospitals, she said.
She's visited every Children's Miracle Network Hospital in the state since being crowned. One story in particular stuck with her. A little girl was asked what her favorite part of physical therapy was. The room was full of slides and swings that make the work fun, but the child's favorite thing to do was walk.
"The more that I get involved, the more I realize it (CMN) does truly change lives," she said.
Miss Louisiana 2017 Laryssa Bonacquisti poses for a portrait with King Louie the 54th near Bayou DeSiard at the University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, La., Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. The Miss America parade in Atlantic City will be the Mardi Gras-themed alligator puppet's first official public appearance. (Photo: Hannah Baldwin/The News-Star)
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