WCU to hold Miss WCU Scholarship Pageant | Events

The following is a press release from William Carey University:

Eleven students will compete in the 2013 Miss William Carey University Scholarship Pageant on October 19 at 7 p.m. in Smith Auditorium in Thomas Fine Arts Center.  The event is a preliminary to the Miss Mississippi Pageant, to be held in Vicksburg in July 2013. Miss WCU 2012 Kenna Spiller of Petal will crown her successor.

Emcees for the event are Katelyn Farris, a senior music therapy and Miss WCU 2010, and Antony Keeler, a graduate student in the master of secondary education program. Entertainment will be provided by Carey Company, the university’s show choir.

The contestants are Megan Bourne, Jennifer DeMelo, Courtney Danielle Ellzey, Uniqua Evans, Natalyia Ferrell, Jenelda Green, Valencia Johnson, Whitney Johnson, DePorche Taylor, Ashleigh Torres, and Krissy Wilson.  

Megan Bourne, the daughter of Harmon Bourne and Amanda Malcolm, is a junior art major from Columbia. She is vice president of the art club, a volunteer youth worker and volunteer muralist at Bunker Hill Baptist Church, a work study for the WCU facilities department, and has been on the President’s List and Dean’s List. Her goal is to become an art professor and show her art, and her platform is “Childhood Cancer Awareness.” She will draw for her talent.

Jennifer DeMelo, the daughter of Stewart DeMelo and Nancy Hood Green, is a senior biology major from Kenner, La. She is a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, where she works full-time as a dental hygienist. She has served as a missionary in Uganda, Africa, is a member of the National Technical Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, and received the Dental Hygiene #1 Clinician Award. Her career ambition is to become a dentist, and her platform is “Eradicating American Homelessness.”

Courtney Danielle Ellzey, the daughter of Rex Bryant and Melana Jean Ellzey, is a freshman nursing major from Leakesville. She started and leads a “Run for God” benefit in Greene County, serves as outreach minister assistant at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, dance team, counselor for youth church camp, serves as music director for vacation Bible school, was on the dance team and in the choir in high school, and plays piano and violin. Her goal is to become a medical missionary, and her platform is “Helping Support Students with Dyslexia.” Her talent is dance/clogging.

Unique Evans, the daughter of Harrison L. and Tina Evans, is a senior psychology/music therapy major from Heidelberg. She is a member of WCU’s show choir Carey Company, WCU’s Symphonic Winds, was on the mayor’s youth council, and was an American Cancer Society teen 2009 winner. Her goal is to open her own music therapy facility and assist low-income families. Her platform is “The Effect of Caner.” She will dance for her talent.

Natalyia Ferrell, the daughter of Albert and Lesa Waters, is a junior elementary education major from Heidelberg. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, graduated third in her high school class, has an Associate’s Degree of Arts from Jones County Junior College, and is a member of Oak Bowery United Methodist Church. She will perform a monologue for her talent.

Jenelda Green, the daughter of Joe and Deborah Green, is a junior health, physical education, and recreation major from Dallas, Texas. She is a member of the track and field team at WCU, was a member of the Hinds Community College High Steppers in 2011-2012, and coaches All-American for National Junior College Athletic Association in 4x400m Relay. Her goal is to coach track and field, along with being an athletic trainer and possibly an athletic director. Her platform is “Rock the Belt,” and talent is dance.

Valencia Johnson, the daughter of Derrit and Alice Loper, is a sophomore music education major from Petal. She is a member of WCU Chorale and Carey Company show choir. She is also a musician for The Glorious Church of Poplarville and Pineview Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg. She plans to teach middle school or high school choral music. She will sing for her talent.

Whitney Johnson, the daughter of Walter and Caresia Johnson, is a senior psychology major from Hattiesburg. She has served as an activities director and volunteered with the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, she is employed with Trees-n-Trends, and is a licensed activity director. Her career ambition is to become a clinical therapist, and her platform is “Purpose in Life.” She will sing and dance for her talent.

DePorche Taylor, the daughter of Ronnie Taylor and Torwanda Berkhalter, is a freshman nursing major from Carson. She enjoys playing softball recreationally and works as a special care tech at Wesley Medical Center. Her goal is to be an RN working in Women’s Health. She will sing for her talent.

Ashleigh Torres, the daughter of Nestor and Donna Torres, is a senior psychology major from Kiln. She is on the President’s List, received the President’s Scholarship, is co-captain of the WCU Diamond Girls for the baseball team, a member of Pi Omega, involved with Carterville Baptist Church student ministries, and employed with the WCU Student Center and Cold Stone Creamery. Her career goal is to become a long-term care administrator, and her platform is “The Edna Project: Breaching the gap between the older and younger generations.” She will sing for her talent.

Krissy Wilson, the daughter of Teresa Chacellor, is a junior English and Spanish major from Laurel. She is on the President’s List, a member of Carey Baptist Student Union, mission trips, a work-study at Common Grounds coffee house, and serves as a tutor through Student Services. Her goal is to serve as a translator in the U.S. or on the mission field. Her platform is “Crossing Cultures,” and she will sing for her talent.

During the pageant, there will be a crown drawing for girls between the ages of 4 and 11; the winner will be the honorary princess for Miss WCU at the Miss Mississippi pageant.

The general public is welcome to attend. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for WCU faculty and staff, and may be purchased at the door. WCU students attend for free, and are encouraged to give a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. For more information, call Cindy Cofield at 601-318-6561.