A few weeks ago, Miss Louisiana Julia Claire Williams returned home to assist with the annual Veteran Pancake Breakfast, and this weekend, she will be serving as Kinder’s parade marshal at its Hometown Holiday event. Then she’s off to represent her city and state in the 100th Anniversary of the Miss America Pageant December 12, through December 16.
Throughout her competitive years, this busy young lady has represented Kinder in several ways as Jr. Miss Allen Parish (2013), Miss Louisiana Outstanding Teen (2015), Miss Allen Parish (2017), the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen of Queens (2018), Miss Heart of Pilot (2020/2021) and most recently as Miss Louisiana (June 19, 2021).
Her dream of competing on the big stage began when she was a child. She said she often sat in front of the television watching pageants and dreaming on walking in those shoes one day. This journey in her life has led her to the present pageant – Miss America, which will be held in its new home, Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The final night of competition will be on December 16 and starts at 8 p.m. ET.
Williams recently answered some questions about her journey as Miss Louisiana and the road to Miss America.
Q. How is your reign going?
A. My reign has been extraordinary! I am still so grateful for the opportunity to serve as Miss Louisiana and represent the state I love the most at the 2021 Miss America competition in just a few short weeks!
Q. What are some of the things you have been doing?
A. Recently, I traveled to elementary and middle schools throughout Ouachita Parish during Red Ribbon Week to instill in our youth the importance of being healthy, being kind (especially to the Freddy’s of the world) and being willing to use their voices to change the world for the better. I often hear it said that when I make appearances like these, I’m changing kids’ lives, and I do certainly hope that is true, as that is my goal. However, the fact that I feel as though they change mine every time I walk into/out of rooms like these cannot be left unsaid.
I’ve also attended multiple events hosted/sponsored by two of the Miss Louisiana Organization’s corporate sponsors – Louisiana Propane Dealers and Vantage Health Plan – including a Honey Island swamp tour, “Passport to Paradise” at the West Ouachita Senior Center, Pilots for Patients, and the Ree Alario Memorial Classic, where all proceeds benefit St. Michael Special School.
Additionally, I have attended several preliminary competitions and watched our Miss Louisiana Class of 2022 grow one intelligent, kind, passionate, impactful woman at a time!
Q. How is this reign different from your other titles, and how are you making a difference?
A. This reign is different from my other titles in that I represent the four points of the crown: scholarship, service, style and success. Miss America and Miss Louisiana are scholarship competitions. Through my involvement in the organization and becoming Miss Louisiana 2021, I have won over $20,000 in scholarship money that will further my financial ability to attend medical school. Furthermore, serving as Miss Louisiana has amplified my voice in advocating for disabled and disadvantaged youth through my social impact initiative, “Find Your F.R.E.D.D.Y. – Fostering Rewarding Engagements with Disabled and Disadvantaged Youth.” In addition, as Miss Louisiana, I will have the chance to represent the state I love the most at the 2021 Miss America competition in just a few short weeks!
Q. You are preparing for the Miss America competition. How is that going? What are you doing to prepare – like decisions for dressing – entertainment – and whatever activities you have to complete for the competition?
A. Miss America competition preparation has been going very well! To me, it is all about consistency. Daily, I watch the news, read about current events online and rehearse my jazz dance. I have also completed several mock interviews and helped my mom, Angela, rhinestone the evening gown of my dreams, which was designed by Gaspar Cruz and Michael Paul. I am so eager to share with so many all that Louisiana has to offer starting on December 8th, when I fly to Connecticut.
Q. I know you have been raising funds for the pageant through the Miss America website. How is that going?
A. Because I have such an incredible support system, the amount of money that has been donated to my SpotFund campaign has steadily risen since the announcement of America’s Choice. I am so very grateful for the overwhelming amount of support I have received from both friends and strangers alike since being crowned as Miss Louisiana back in June. Louisiana, I love you!
Q. Your F.R.E.D.D.Y. project – how is that going for you? Any updates? How has becoming Miss Louisiana affected the project? Is it positive?
A. My voice in advocating for the Freddy’s of the world has been amplified through my service as Miss Louisiana. I had the special opportunity to speak to hundreds of children in schools throughout Ouachita Parish during Red Ribbon Week about the importance of finding their Freddy and serving as the support system that children like Freddy so desperately need.
Q. Have you thought about the competition and what it would mean to win a national title and what you would do?
A. I have thought about it extensively, and my brain is still unable to comprehend how I would feel if I were to be selected as the next Miss America! This is the 100th Anniversary of the Miss America competition; Miss America has been a national and, I would venture to say, global icon for 100 years now. So incredible, right?! It would be such an honor and dream come true to become the first Miss Louisiana to win Miss America. I would utilize every opportunity to encourage others to give of their time, their love, and their hands-on support to youth like Freddy, and, as an aspiring physician, I would partner with healthcare professionals to maximize the potential impact I am able to make in the lives of these children.
Q. Future plans?
A. As a future pediatrician, my dream is to one day open a community summer camp for disabled and disadvantaged children met through my practice. In doing so, my dream would become a rewarding reality and allow me to “live” my social impact initiative (Find Your F.R.E.D.D.Y. – Fostering Rewarding Engagements with Disabled and Disadvantaged Youth) – a cause that has been near and dear to my heart from a very young age.
Q. You stayed out of a school for this title. Are you planning on returning and still pursuing a medical degree.
A. I am very much still planning on returning to school to pursue a medical degree! I recently submitted my secondary applications to several medical schools, so I am currently asking for all of the prayers I can possibly get. It is my hope that my passion for becoming a physician who provides children from underserved communities with access to the adequate, critical healthcare services they so deserve radiates from the papers the admissions committee members will be reading when reviewing my application.
Williams is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Louisiana Monroe. Her hometown fans and supporters will be cheering her on as she competes for the Miss America title. And regardless of the outcome, her dreams just continue to come true as she serves as Miss Louisiana. Good luck!
