On Saturday night’s live event, Miss Shreveport Katherine Putnam was crowned the Miss Louisiana 2009 title. The 22 year old Putnam broke down and almost dissolved in tears when her predecessor Miss Louisiana 2008 Blaire Abene placed the crown on her head. Putnam will represent the state of Louisiana on January 30 in Las Vegas at the Miss America Pageant.

When the beauty queen was asked what has been the most valuable lesson that life has taught her, Putnam philosophically said, “Success for me is not the destination, but finding joy in the journey.” Putnam is a student at the University of Louisiana in Monroe.

The preliminary rounds for the pageant were held on the 18th and 19th of June at 7:30 p.m. The final event was held on June 21, Saturday, at the Jack Howard theater at the Monroe Civic Center and was telecast live all over the state of Louisiana.

The first runner up is Miss University Of Louisiana, Hope Anderson, who will be stepping in the shoes of Katherine Putnam, if for any reason Putnam is unable to serve her term or compete in the national pageant. The 20 year old Hope attends the University of Louisiana Monroe. Miss Lafayette Kenley Minchew was announced to be the second runner up of the night. Minchew had won the talent competition in the preliminary round on Friday night.

The third runner up of the event is Miss Natchitoches City of Light Courtney Haynes and the fourth runner up is Miss Port City Joy Thomason. The top 10 finalists were chosen based on the assessment scores of the preliminary rounds and the interview sessions that were conducted on Wednesday.