Megan Rachelle Miller, 22, of Ethel, recently finished as the fourth runner-up contestant in the Miss Louisiana pageant held June 23 in Shreveport.

Miller, the daughter of Donna and John Miller of Ethel, did win the talent honors, however, for her singing performance of "Angels," by Jessica Simpson.

Miller is a Centreville Academy graduate, has attended Southwest Mississippi Community College and is now a student at LSU, where she is pursuing a degree in kinesiology.

The striking beauty queen with a voice currently holds the Miss Greater Baton Rouge title and was ZFest's very first Idol winner, says the beauty queen's mom, Donna. "She's only been competing in pageants about four years now," said Donna. "She began while a student at SMCC. We are so very proud of her."

In her second year of pageant competion, Miller won the overall swimsuit and the talent divisions.

This past Independence Day, Miller was invited to sing the National Anthem in downtown Baton Rouge's Fourth of July celebration, and she joined Westbound Train's Anita LeBlanc onstage for a rendition of Martina McBride's "Broken Wing."

Thus far, Miller has won nearly $5,000 in earnings from competing in pageants, but her mother says that is not what truly motivates her daughter.

"Megan's dream is to become a successful singer," Donna said. "I think she would trade all of her crowns for a singing contract."

Miller's parents know all too well the potential pitfalls of the singing industry, and while they are her number one fans, they're proud of their daughter for pursuing an education.

"She could get by on pageant competitions but then what?" Donna said  rhetorically. "That can only last for so long, but her education will last a lifetime."

Miller's grandfather, Harrison Garner, 93, of Zachary, recently gave his granddaughter a horseshoe ring for good luck prior to the Miss Louisiana pageant.

"I've always been fortunate enough to make it into the Top 10 when competing," Miller said. "This time, my lucky horseshoe ring seems to have worked like a charm!"

Donna said her daughter has always dreamed of auditioning for an American Idol competition.

Miller recently made that dream a reality and auditioned in Baton Rouge before Idol judges.

Stay tuned for more about Miller and her pursuit of American Idol dreams.