The Voice of Southwest Louisiana

By Angie Kay Dilmore
When Maaliyah Papillion was a
young girl, her mother entered Maaliyah
in various area pageants. Little
did they know, she would earn the
opportunity to represent the state of
Louisiana in the 2016 Miss USA pageant.
Maaliyah’s Miss Louisiana USA
2016 crown symbolizes years of hard
work, perseverance, and her desire
to help others pursue their goals. “I
have a chance to make a difference
in the lives of those around me and
inspire others to be everything they
ever wanted to be.”
Maaliyah, age 21, was born and
raised in Lake Charles with her parents
-- father Shawn Papillion, mother
Kristin Ned, and step-dad Kenneth
Miss
Louisiana
Teen USA 2016
Ellie Picone and
Miss Louisiana USA 2016
Maaliyah Papillion
Ned. She says she had a wonderful
childhood. “My parents supported
me throughout my childhood.” Maaliyah
took a break from pageants in
elementary school to participate in
sports. In 7th grade, when she determined
physical competition wasn’t
her style, she returned to pageantry.
“It’s been a good hobby for me,”
she says. “Pageants have helped me
make friends. I was shy and it helped
me get out of my box and find myself.”
Maaliyah attended St. Louis Catholic
High School and currently is a student
at McNeese State University, majoring
in psychology with a minor in biology.
Since winning the crown, Maaliyah has
been a busy young woman, but she’s
managing her time well and keeping
up with her studies. As Miss Louisiana
USA 2016, her duties include involvement
with numerous charities such as
Toys for Tots, appearances at festivals
and other events, and preparations for
the Miss USA pageant.
The Importance
of Diversity
African-Americans comprise 32%
of Louisiana’s population; the second
largest proportion in the United
States. Yet Maaliyah is only the second
African-American to be crowned Miss
Louisiana USA in the 63 year history
of the competition. (The first was Candice
Stewart in 1995). Maaliyah says
diversity is important to her because
Louisiana is a melting pot. “I’m part
Native-American, Spanish, French. My
family is so diverse and so is the culture
in Louisiana. It’s sad when you see
people who want to exclude other
groups that are not familiar. That’s
so unfortunate. This nation was
built on diversity. Having a diverse
community is how we learn from
each other and grow. I want to be
an advocate for the acceptance of
diversity.”
To promote diversity, Maaliyah
strives to lead by example. “I
can’t expect my community to
follow me if I’m not doing it first.
I try to show a positive image of
accepting diversity and hopefully
that image will rub off.
With my reign as Miss Louisiana,
my community will see
that.”
As an example of her
leadership qualities, Maaliyah
serves as an ambassador
and board member for
the International Club. “We
help foreigners with Visas
and other paperwork. We
also work in conjunction
with St. Frances Cabrini
Club. Basically it is a club
to help internationals feel
welcome. They come from
other countries and all
walks of life. Many come
for jobs. They may speak
minimal English.
Someone has to welcome them and
show them around. That’s what we’re
there for. We help them feel like they
belong in the community.”
Guiding Principles
Maaliyah says she lives by the
words of Proverbs 23:7. “As a man
thinketh, so he is,” she says. “I have always
had the belief that you can do
anything you want as long as you believe
in yourself. My faith in God has
carried me through. This hasn’t been
an easy journey for me. Obstacles
of doubt and discouragement were
things that I had to overcome on my
road to victory. Once that happened,
I was able to fully focus on being the
best “me” I could be, which ultimately
led to me winning Miss Louisiana USA
2016. Anything that is placed in your
heart, you can absolutely do it. It’s not
impossible. As long as I believe in myself
and put God first, there’s nothing I
can’t accomplish.”
Part of Maaliyah’s motivation to
become Miss Louisiana USA 2016 is to
have the opportunity to share her philosophy
on the importance of self-esteem.
“I want to show my community,
my state, and the nation that anything
can be done. I want to serve as a shining
light for a young girl who may
see opposition to her goals, who may
want to do something great but may
be afraid. I want to show her that it is
possible. And not only young girls but
people in general. We all have dreams
and goals we want to accomplish, but
it takes some time and the right inspiration
or motivation to get us going.
Hopefully I can serve as that inspiration
and motivate someone who is in
opposition.”
The Voice magazine wishes Maaliyah
many blessings as she serves our
state and prepares for the Miss USA
competition!
DECEMBER 2015 VOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 3 • Number 5 Volume 3 • Number 5 VOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM DECEMBER 2015