Miss LC 1966 comes home to serve as pageant judge

The Miss LCU pageant will be held Oct. 16 during Homecoming Week, and for one judge this year, it will feel like even more of a homecoming.

Miss Louisiana College 1966 Judy Griffin Perkins will return ‘home’ to serve as a judge in this year’s competition, and she has been studying, she said.

“I’ve done my homework,” Perkins said. “I’ve been researching what judges do, and what questions we can ask.”

Perkins said she is looking forward to the experience.

She remembers fondly her own time competing in the Miss LC pageant.

“At that time, the student body voted on the 16 contestants,” she said. “Ten were selected for interview, tea and talent. We met in President (G. Earl) Guinn’s home. Mrs. Guinn was such a fantastic hostess.”

Perkins said she remembers meeting in a room with a baby grand piano and being asked thought-provoking questions that made you stop and really think.

Perkins remembered she had already decided in her mind who she believed the judges would choose as the winner.

“They were looking for grace, self-esteem, the most personality, intelligence and a pleasing appearance,” she said.

Perkins, who was a vocal music/music education major, sang an operatic aria for her talent.

She said winning the pageant was a surreal experience.

“I was so grateful, and I had so much fun that night,” Perkins said.

Perkins said the contestants today are fortunate because they can move on to the Miss Louisiana competition.

“At that time, Miss LC couldn’t go because of the bathing suit portion, and the Baptist Convention wouldn’t allow it. Now, it’s sportswear. They are lucky!”

Perkins is looking forward to being part of choosing the next Miss LCU.

“I would say it’s the most wonderful way to be a PR person for your school,” she said. “It gives you the opportunity to share intellectual and spiritual aspects and to encourage people to be a part of your school.”

She also said you don’t have to give up your social life. She jokes that her husband Larry, who was then her boyfriend, used to tell people he was her manager.

The two began dating on campus when she was a freshman, and he was a sophomore. Today, they have been married for 57 years.

“We made so many lifelong friends at LC,” she said.

The Perkinses still get together with the other members of the 1963-1967 basketball team, in which Larry, known as ‘Perk’, was a member. They recently celebrated his 80th birthday with a big get-together at their home in Kilgore, Texas.

“The guys tell the tallest tales about Coach (Billy) Allgood,” she said. The crew plans to get together again Friday of Homecoming week in Pineville.

The Perkinses have lived in Kilgore for nearly four decades now. Larry retired from State Farm after 38 years. The couple raised two daughters, Penni and Jana, and now have two grandchildren.

But they have always kept ties to the place where they met and fell in love. Judy said she actually attended LC for several reasons. Her older brother, James “Jimmy” Griffin was attending. (The two actually ended up graduating the same year, 1968). Perkins also received a music scholarship. But her faith also played an integral part in her decision.

“I was raised in a Christian home and wanted to be a part of a community where Jesus was first,” she said.

She said after being chosen Miss LC in 1966, she felt challenged to be the best representative of the school for life. She said she and her husband have done their best to give back to the school from the many blessings they have received in their lives.

They have established several scholarships and routinely give to the Board of Visitors, which supplies scholarship money to deserving students. In addition, Larry was chosen for a Distinguished Alumni award in 2022.

The couple has also “adopted” 17 students over the years at Kilgore College. They come over to the house and are like family, and call them Gigi and PawPaw.

“We do lots of fun things all the time,” Perkins said. “That’s what life is all about—sharing.

 

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Media Release | Oct. 2, 2025 | Pineville, Louisiana
Contact: Dr. Elizabeth B. Clarke, Director of University Communications | Elizabeth.clarke@lcuniversity.edu