Miss Louisiana 2013 Jaden Leach Reflects on Her Reign

Miss Louisiana 2013 Jaden Leach has just under two weeks left of her reign. She'll be handing over her crown next Saturday.

Leach talked with 710 KEEL's Robert J. Wright and Erin McCarty about her most memorable experiences while representing our state.

"Well, Miss America was obviously a huge part, getting to compete for that. But that's the obvious answer as far as what was huge," Leach said. "But other than that, I got to promote the Children's Miracle Network hospitals, and I also got to rappel off of a 310-foot building in Baton Rouge, which was awesome. So I had a time with that."

She said something she's learned in her year-long reign is how to interact with people.

"Your social skills really improve. You're on TV, you're on the radio. You're with 3-year-olds in the morning, and at a Rotary Club luncheon in the afternoon and at a fundraiser at night," she said. "You're with different types of people all the time. So I've really learned you have to relate with different age groups, different types of people, and how to communicate with them, as well."

Leach's most heartwarming experience happened right here in Shreveport in March, when she visited a Children's Miracle Network hospital.

"They told me that there's one little girl and she is really excited that you're coming. And she can't dress herself, hardly. She was 6 or 7, I believe," Leach said. "She wants to wear a big, pretty dress for you. And so I got there and she's got her biggest, poofiest party dress, and she came [out from] behind her walker and came up to me as fast as she possibly could and wrapped her arms around me. And I can honestly say that is the one moment I will never forget."

Leach said her plans are to finish college at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where she's working on a marketing degree.

Listen to Jaden's complete interview: