Chelsea Rai’ Smith crowned Miss Black Louisiana, USA

Chelsea Rai’ Smith, the daughter of Veronica Adams Smith and Robert “Big Bird” (Vaneda) Smith, and a 2008 honor graduate of Bogalusa High School, was crowned 2013-2014 Miss Black Louisiana, USA on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Coughlin Saunders Performing Arts Theater in Alexandria.

Chelsea, who is the mother of a daughter, Raniya A. Temple, is currently attending Grambling State University’s School of Nursing, where she is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bogalusa and the Church of the Champions in Grambling. She is the granddaughter of Katherine Smith and the late Ray and Hannah Adams.

The theme of the 2014 pageant was “Lights, Camera, Action” and was set in an elegant Hollywood backdrop. While the mission of the Miss Black Louisiana USA Organization is to promote educational, financial and leadership status in communities, statewide and on a national level, the pageant also strives to entertain, and with its wide variety of talented artists, as well as the many beautiful contestants, that goal was accomplished.

Chelsea’s platform is titled “Your RAIN is your REIGN,” and through this, she said, she wants to embody, empower and encourage others. Her goal this year and throughout her life, she said, is to tell her story— that in everyone’s life rain must fall and storms will come but there is a lesson to learn.

As the winner of the state pageant she was presented a $5,000 scholarship, a magazine photo spread and many other gifts. Continuing to represent Bogalusa with poise, grace, dignity and beauty, Chelsea will go on to complete for the Miss Black USA title in Washington, D.C. next year.

Queen Joiya Teresah Smith part of GSU Royal Court

Joiya Teresah Smith reigned as part of the Grambling State University’s Royal Court last weekend at the 40th annual Bayou Classic game in New Orleans.

Joiya, who was elected Miss Sophomore Class Queen by the student body, was crowned during the Fall Coronation of Miss Grambling State University. She now serves as a ambassador for the university, both on and off campus, she recruits and she travels across the country with Miss Grambling and the university officials.

A graphic arts and communication major at Grambling State, Joiya is on the Dean’s List and is a member of the Favrot Student Union Board, a member of the Distinguished Black Women Organization and she actively works in several other organizations.

Joiya, who is the daughter of Veronica Adams Smith and Robert “Big Bird” (Vaneda) Smith, is a 2012 honor graduate of Bogalusa High School. She is the granddaughter of Katherine Smith and the late Benjamin Smith and Ray and Hannah Adams.

She remains an active member of Bethlehem Baptist Church while at home and Church of the Champions while at school in Grambling.