Mya Miller’s journey to winning the St. John Sugar Queen title

Published 6:07 am Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Mya Miller’s first step into the beauty pageant world began last year. With three pageant appearances under her belt, the 74th St. John Sugar Queen Pageant is one she’ll never forget.

On Saturday night, August 2, surrounded by local dignitaries inside the St John Theater in Reserve, Miller was crowned Miss St. John Sugar Queen LXXIV after the judges announced the decision.

For 21-year-old Miller, winning the 74th Miss Sugar Pageant meant more than a crown, as it symbolized representation and inspiration.

“I thought it was important that little girls see someone who looks like them take a title this big in our parish,” said Miller, a lifelong Laplace resident and Pre-K teacher at Little Stars Center. “That was my biggest motivation, just being a role model.”

Her memory of being announced as the winner is still vivid. “It has built my confidence. I felt like I could do it,” Miller said. “Last year was my first pageant, and now I feel like I’ve grown so much.”

Miller, who first competed in the Miss Sugar pageant last year, said the journey to the crown wasn’t easy. However, the road to victory required long days of research, physical training, and mental preparation.

“Every other day I walked in heels for at least 30 minutes,” she said. “And I had to mentally prepare myself to be okay even if I didn’t win. It took a lot of confidence building.”

The preparation paid off during the interview portion of the competition, which Miller called her favorite part of the pageant.

“It was probably the best interview I’ve done so far,” she said. “The judges made me feel so comfortable. It was very personal, and I felt free to open up.”

She believes her openness and authenticity may have set her apart. “I’m the oldest daughter of an amputee father,” she said. “I think sharing that helped the judges connect with me. I was willing to let them explore my story.”

Her biggest challenge was confidence, especially after cutting her hair right before the competition.

“Everyone kept telling me it looked beautiful,” she said. “But internally, I was freaking out. I thought, ‘This is short for a pageant.’ I had to stop comparing myself to others.”

In addition to teaching, Miller is a licensed makeup artist and cosmetologist who owns a small business, where she offers affordable beauty services.

“I wanted to provide beauty at a price people in my community could afford,” she said.

Miller said she plans to use her reign to advocate for equal education for underprivileged children and has set her sights on visiting every school in the parish.

“I want to talk to the kids, read to them, and show up for them,” she said. “Every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their background.”

While she had initially thought this might be her final pageant, but she is open to future competitions. “I just love the experience,” she said.

A 2022 graduate of East St. John High School and a former student of Emily C. Watkins, Miller credits her hometown for shaping who she is today.

“St John’s Parish raised me,” she said. “Now I want to give back and be the role model I wish I had growing up.”