The 68th annual Miss Northwestern Lady of the Bracelet Pageant brought excitement and tradition to A.A. Fredericks Auditorium on Nov. 6, 2025, as six accomplished Northwestern State University students competed for one of the campus’s most celebrated honors.
The Lady of the Bracelet Pageant, first created in the early 1920s and later turned into an official Miss Louisiana preliminary, has long highlighted NSU women who model leadership, service and academic excellence. This year’s event continued that legacy with contestants Cameron Bruno, Nilah Pollard, Lauryn Vernon, Chloe Rachal, Chase Kendrick and Madison Book, each representing a unique part of NSU’s campus life.
Throughout the evening, the contestants participated in a series of judged categories, including interviews and evening wear. These segments offered the audience an opportunity to witness each participant’s personality and connection to the university. Students, families and faculty cheered on the women as they showcased both the diversity and talent of NSU.
At the conclusion of the night, senior social work major and student leader Nilah Pollard was crowned the 68th Miss Northwestern Lady of the Bracelet. For Pollard, the honor carried deep personal meaning. “Winning the distinct honor of Miss Northwestern Lady of the Bracelet meant being given the opportunity to leave my university a little brighter than I found it,” she said.
Through her platform, The Positive Project, Pollard hopes to highlight the importance of kindness, connection and encouragement across all areas of campus life. “Whether someone is a professor or a janitor, every individual who contributes to the student experience at NSU plays an important part,” Pollard said.
Lauryn Vernon earned the title of first runner-up after winning the talent competition as well as the Liz Carroll People’s Choice Award. Madison Book took the title of second runner-up and won the Carley McCord Miss Congeniality Award.
Book, a sophomore biology major, expressed deep appreciation for the bonds formed during rehearsals and preparation. “I enjoyed getting to know all of the other contestants and practicing with them,” Book said.
While she recognized some of the participants from campus, many were new faces. Working alongside them allowed her to see each contestant shine in her own way. Book noted that the process was far more demanding than people often realize, describing the hours of practice and behind-the-scenes work that go into every performance. “Competing in a pageant is a lot harder than the professionals make it seem,” Book said.
Book also praised the University Programming Council, who hosted the event, for their hospitality and dedication. “They truly made us all feel like queens,” Book said.
Among this year’s contestants was Chloe Rachal, a junior health and exercise science major, who chose to compete as a way to push herself. “Every year I try to push myself to do one thing that challenges me, and the Lady of the Bracelet pageant felt like the perfect opportunity,” Rachal said. Her presence on stage added to the spirit of the night and showcased the wide range of talent and ambition represented among this year’s participants.
The Lady of the Bracelet Pageant has evolved since its beginning when contestants were selected through photographs submitted to movie producers. The official title was introduced in 1959, when Kahne Dipola became the first to wear the gold bracelet—an honor that has been passed from winner to winner ever since.
The pageant grew further in 1971 when the Student Union Governing Board secured the Miss Louisiana franchise, giving NSU winners the opportunity to compete at the state level. Even as the event has modernized, it remains rooted in the celebration of student achievement, character and community spirit.
This year’s pageant not only honored the contestants’ accomplishments but also reinforced the strength of NSU’s traditions. As Pollard begins her year as Lady of the Bracelet, she carries forward a legacy nearly a century old—one that continues to inspire future contestants, unite the campus and showcase the pride and talent at the heart of NSU.
