What are your hobbies?
I enjoy running, playing soccer, cooking, thrift store shopping, painting canvases and pottery, snowboarding, wakeboarding, compiling scrapbooks, and playing the piano.

What makes you special and unique?
At the age of 8, my face was mauled by a pit bull. After three repair surgeries, the scar remains. Just recently I have come to accept the scar on my face in telling the story behind the scar. My scar has been a tool in forming a caring, trusting relationship with pediatric patients at Blair Hospital where I volunteer. Curious children question my scar and then smile when they realize that we have something in common. We are more beautiful because of scars that tell our story. My emergency room record of 15 visits and the fact I have my yellow belt in karate makes me unique too!

What is the best advice you have ever received?
My Papaw once told me, “If you wouldn’t do it in church, you shouldn’t do it all!” Every time I am faced with peer pressure, I think of his advice and withstand the temptations.

Name one thing you cannot live without.
I would cease to exist if I did not have my cup of coffee every morning to get me going and my planner that has my outline of goals for the day! I also could not live without my Miniature Doberman, Diesel, who is there for me every minute, plus he is a great cuddle buddy on cold nights!

What is the most valuable lesson you ever learned?
Humility. As a nursing student, I see patients when they are the most vulnerable in life. This is a humbling experience because I realize it is me who helps them achieve the normal activities of daily living that we take for granted such as assisting one to the bathroom or with their bath. Nursing also takes a lot of humility when doubtful about a patient task. It takes humility admitting when I am wrong and asking for help when a life is in my hands.

Who is your most valued role model and why?
My most valued role model is my aunt, Regina. She was born with an inactive thyroid and deprived of the nutrients needed for proper brain development. This caused her to be mentally handicapped and permanently homebound. NEVER ONCE has she blamed God, asked why, or felt sorry for herself. She is always thankful for her many blessings. Every time I start to have a pity party, I think of her and her example. I quickly thank God for the many days of a healthy life he has given me.

What was your most unexpected moment?
I dedicated the summer before my senior year to training hard for my upcoming senior soccer season. I wanted to perform well, hoping to maybe secure a soccer scholarship. During the first game, I injured my leg. I was heartbroken. I was out most of the season and not expected to return, but, I worked hard to regain my strength and was able to help my team compete during play-offs. To my surprise during the Starkville Academy athletic banquet, I was awarded a team MVP award!

What is your workout routine?
I love participating in any outdoor physical activity whether it is snowboarding or playing soccer with the neighborhood kids. I usually run 3-5 miles a day, and perform weight training 30 minutes 3 days a week.

What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?
While in attendance at Mississippi State University in the fall of 2006, I was selected as head of membership for Alumni Delegates, maintained a 4.0, was named a President’s Scholar, participated in required Phi Mu Sorority activities, worked part time, and danced on the weekends for MSU football games. Finding the perfect balance between work, fun, leadership, and scholarship was a true accomplishment.

What is the best compliment you have ever received?
After losing my first patient in nursing school, I did not think nursing was for anymore. Then God sent me direction with a pediatric cancer patient. The little boy had just finished rounds of chemo treatment, so I spent some time in getting to know him. As I was leaving the hospital that day, he and his mother hugged me. His mother told me I was going to be a wonderful nurse someday and I had a special connection with kids. Now I pursue nursing with the total desire of positively impacting lives like that little boy one day.

What is your secret wish?
I have several secret wishes, so it won’t hurt to share two! I wish Christmas was twice a year and that pumpkin pie was zero (0) calories (maybe in Heaven???).

What was your most embarrassing moment?
My most embarrassing moment happened at the MSU veteran’s football game in front of a packed out stadium (and yes, it was on ESPN). I was a dancer with the MSU Bully’s Belles dance line and leader of the pack across the field in our star spangled one piece sequined swimsuit. At the same time, the jumbotron camera guy tossed his cable out which caught my ankle and tripped me. This was all seen on the jumbotron! I caused a sort of domino effect of confusion among the dance line, forgot the dance, and just stood frozen the rest of halftime in my sparkly American flag attire!

What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Making cheesecake pumpkin pie for one (me!) and snaking on the batter all the while cooking. I also indulge in eating icing straight of the container while watching Golden Girls re-runs!

What is your favorite movie and why?
Simon Birch is my favorite movie because the underdog becomes the hero. Simon, who was physically disabled, believed he would make a huge difference in many lives even though he was continuously made fun of for having this big dream. Little Simon saved many, became a hero, and left a wonderful legacy and inspiration for so many, including me.

What is your favorite color and why?
Red is my favorite color. I love the color red because it attracts the eye and it is obviously a sign of love. Plus, I have also been told I look good in red-so that's another good reason why it's my favorite color :)

What do you like to do for fun... relaxation... recreation?
Relaxing on the couch in my pajamas while watching movies and eating popcorn, playing guitar hero on the play station with my younger brother for recreation, eating out with family and friends, and going to the river and sitting on the front of the boat with the wind blowing through my hair and the sun shining on my face!

What would be your dream vacation or destination?
I would love to take an African safari since I think wild animals are so fascinating. It would be such an adrenaline rush to be so close in habitat with dangerous carnivores such as a lion. While I am there, I would love to work as a pediatric nurse with the organization Doctors without Borders. What better way to view wild life, and save lives?!

What do you like best about your hometown?
Cowbells!!! I was born and raised a Mississippi State fan, and as long as I live I will always love my bulldogs. The cowbell is the ultimate symbol of the ultimate SEC team. Not only that, but Starkville is an all around town. It is perfect for raising a family, enjoying life as a college student, and settling down for retirement. Plenty of establishments for food and fun, the cotton district, top veterinarian school in the nation, and a future full of economic growth. My all time favorite place though is the Mississippi horse park where I bond with my dad and brother while watching bull riding and barrel racing!

What do you like best about the state of Mississippi, besides our food & hospitality?
I am obsessed with Mississippi!!! The main reason - because I know whether a new life is brought into this world, or a loved one taken away - food will be on my doorstep with a smiling neighbor. It is the love for the other Mississippian that makes it so great to live in this state! I am also a huge B.B. King fan, so I love the fact that the soulful blues started here in Mississippi

What's in your CD player or on your iPod right now?
I am a huge blues fan, I constantly listen to B.B. King and John Mayer (who I think is the modern day B.B. King)! Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Dolly Parton are the other artists that are on my iPod right now. I also listen to Chopin and Bach(I love classical music too!)

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I see myself married to my best friend and love of my life, sharing my Miss Mississippi scrapbook with my amazing kids, serving as my church’s pianist, and continuing to help save and positively affect lives as a nurse practitioner in pediatric oncology, and through cancer/genetic research in fighting the battle against cancer.

Who am I?
I am a big dreamer, a risk taker, a goal achiever, and a list maker. Determination to achieve success in pediatric nursing and saving lives are my drive. I wear my heart on my sleeve and search for the good in everyone. I hardly ever meet a stranger. I am always smiling and saying hey y’all and I truly believe a good hug can make anyone’s day. I am proud of my southern roots, southern accent, and I continuously strive to be a southern belle. I cannot sit still very long, I constantly have to be doing something whether it be a new hobby or completing a New York Times best seller. I currently have 8 scrapbooks, what better way to store wonderful memories! I hate shots, but I love giving them in nursing school!

I can not describe the amount of joy I have received working with kids at Blair E. Batson’s children hospital by volunteering and participating as a student nurse in clinicals. What better excuse to act like a kid and get away with it! I wish everyone could meet the kids I have met on the cancer wing of UMC’s children hospital. They are very mature for what they have gone through, completely rely on Christ to see them through it, and will put you in your place in a heartbeat if you are in self-pity mode. I want to make a difference in the world, especially in the lives of pediatric patients, and I know I can one small step at a time. I truly enjoy the happiness I feel and see when helping others, even if it is just helping a fragile pediatric oncology patient paint a yellow happy face.

Tell us about your occupational experience.
I started working in the medical field as a sophomore in high school. My past jobs have been my past homes. I worked at Starkville Urology and Starkville Surgical Associates before I started nursing school last May. Both of these establishments have helped me get my foot in the door with the medical field, given me knowledge that I have already applied in nursing school, and have provided me with so many opportunities through networking. The doctors I worked for-Dr. Guest, Dr. Parvin, Dr. Clapp, and Dr. Castleberry, have actuallly been my cheerleaders and support while I have been working on achieving my dream of competing in Miss Mississippi. I would not be participating in this pageant system or accomplishing my professional goal of becoming a nurse if it was not for these wonderful physicians. Dr. Castleberry and his wife even helped me purchase a dress for pageants when I was struggling financially! They were my surrogate parents while I was in Starkville, and were continuously there for me throughout my tenure at Mississippi State. If you ever need a great urologist or surgeon, contact me and I will refer you to the best in the south!

Tell us about your platform.
My aunt Regina has been mentally handicapped and homebound all her life. I love her very much and want to make a difference in the lives of so many children who are faced with similar difficulties. This led me to get involved as a camp counselor with Touched by an Angel Camp (camp for kids with special needs). I was so touched by these great kids! I did some research and discovered a special link between these kids and kids with cancer. The majority of deaths from both these groups are due to infections because of decreased immune systems. Children with Down Syndrome have a 50% chance of suffering from leukemia. Leukemia is currently the United States main pediatric cancer diagnoses.

I want to eventually participate in research for finding cures for pediatric cancer through preventive measures and genetic research. I combined my love for curing cancer, and for kids with special needs to form this platform. Then I stumbled upon psychoneuroimmunology which is the study of how emotions play a part in the immune system. After completing a research paper on the subject, I discovered positive stimuli (such as happy emotions) increase endorphins which possibly increase white blood cell counts and fight infections.

During my year of service as an advocate for “Caring is the Cure,” I would encourage all ages to show care to these amazing kids through more radio adds, speeches and creative awareness programs among Jackson schools. I have already collected over 700 magazines for the waiting rooms at UMC’s children hospital, my current goal is 1500. This is a great way to distract distraught parents from the stresses of their child being admitted to the hospital. It is also wonderful entertainment for the adolescent patient population. I plan to also raise money for Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital through pie sales and more piano performances. I also plan to support and lobby for more free health screenings within the Jackson area to examine for the common signs and symptoms associated with childhood cancer and childhood special needs. Early intervention for kids who might be diagnosed with cancer is the key to their survival and longevity of life.