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Last updated on Saturday, June 15, 2013
(VINCENNES) - When Laura Merida steps onto the stage at the Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant at Zionsville, she will be following in the footsteps of her mother, Melissa.
Following in mom's footsteps at Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant
Both have already made history as the first mother and daughter to serve as Miss Vincennes University. Melissa was Miss VU 1985 and Laura was crowned Miss VU 2013 on Nov. 2.
As Laura begins her week with the Miss Indiana Pageant's orientation meeting on Sunday, she can look to her mother for support as well as practical advice from the perspective of a past contestant.
Laura is a Public Relations major at VU where she has been active as a choreographer for the VU Connection. Laura graduated from Brownstown Central High School and was involved in the Student Council and Show Choir and received an outstanding musical performance award. She has been actively involved in 4-H. Her platform is "KINDNESS - Take a Stance on Bullying." She is the daughter of Jeff and Melissa Merida of Georgetown.
Brenda Thompson, who served as one of the executive directors of the Miss VU Pageants for both Laura and Melissa, said she has enjoyed working with both mother and daughter. "Laura has had the goal of becoming Miss Vincennes University since she was young and attending the pageants over the years with her mom. I know that she will have a great experience at the Miss Indiana Pageant next week."
Following an opening reception, dinner, and orientation meeting on Sunday, contestants in the Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant have a full week of activities. There will be video shoots and rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday.
Laura will sing for her talent preliminary competition on Wednesday and will perform in both swimsuit and evening wear preliminary competition on Thursday, a day that will also include a visit to Riley Hospital for Children. The Children's Miracle Network is the National Platform for the Miss America Organization.
Saturday begins with a brunch and a parade and culminates in the Miss Indiana Finals at 7 p.m. (EDT) at the Zionsville High School Performing Arts Center.
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