So long, swimsuits! Check out the changes to the 2019 Miss Louisiana pageant

If you were looking forward to the swimsuit competition photos from the Miss Louisiana Pageant this year, think again.

Dewana Little, executive director of the Miss Louisiana Organization, said the competition is changing, but it's still focused on the core goals of scholarship and leadership.

In 2018 under the leadership of Gretchen Carlson, the Miss America Organization eliminated Lifestyle and Fitness at the national level a few months before its September broadcast.

At the state level, pageants still had swimsuit competitions, and state representatives weren't sure what to expect going into the altered national pageant.

This year, state competitions will focus more on interview skills and nix the beachwear.

The new scoring will be as follows:

• Private interview: 20% in preliminaries
• On-stage interview: 15% in preliminaries and 25% in finals
• Talent: 50% in preliminaries and 30% in finals
• Evening wear and social impact statement: 15% in preliminaries and 20% in finals
• The contestant's composite score from preliminaries counts for 25% of her final score.

Little said the new format will include an on-stage interview portion that extends the judges' off-stage interviews with the candidates.

Glenn Dupree, the judges chairman, is working diligently to make sure this year's judges are up to date on the changes.

He's also developing questions that will provide equal weight while giving the candidate  an opportunity to express her beliefs and ideas.

The young women who compete put a lot of effort into their social initiative — formerly called platforms. Extending the interviews on-stage, Little said, gives the audience a better chance to know how a title holder would be as Miss Louisiana.

The goal every year, she said, is to pick the best option to represent the state and do the job. They support their winner and hope she'll take the Miss America crown, but 51 contestants vie on the national stage, and they need someone who can talk at any event and represent the organization well at home for a full year.

Talent is important, but it's not always easily showcased as part of the duties of Miss Louisiana. The winner travels the state with a packed schedule and speaks to schools and social clubs in addition to making appearances or performing at events. They have to be ready to go anywhere and do almost anything.

The young women who compete work on social initiatives, raise funds for Children's Miracle Network hospitals and, while students, maintain high GPAs.

Being part of the Miss Louisiana Organization helps create confidence and skills that lead to later success in life, Little said. 

Swimsuits are out, but physical fitness is still important for Miss Louisiana. The organization will still arrange a trainer for the winner because maintaining health is important for the job and helps build personal discipline, Little said. 

Change can be difficult, but she's excited to see how the new format showcases the high-performing young women who compete.

Follow the pageant:

Preliminaries are 7:30 p.m. June 20 and 21 at the Monroe Civic Center.

The pageant will start at 8 p.m. June 22 and be broadcast around the state live.