What are your hobbies?
I enjoy singing, traveling, attempting to cook, reading Nicholas Sparks' books, exercising, and drinking coffee. I also love sampling various types of chocolates with my boyfriend and shopping with my sisters.

What makes you special and unique?
I like to think that my family makes me unique. I am one of five children, and there is never a dull moment in my house. My family has taught me to be unique by not following what everyone else wants me to be but instead to be my true self.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
"Cast all your anxiety on God because he cares for you." Whenever I feel overwhelmed by something, whether it be school, work, or family matters, I cast everything on God. Praying and reflecting on His word always gets me through every situation.

Name one thing you cannot live without.
I cannot live without singing! I have always said my life should be made into a musical because I have a song for everything and everyone. No matter what I'm doing or where I am, I always seem to be singing or humming a little tune under my breath. It's just in my veins!

What is the most valuable lesson you ever learned?
Don't be a procrastinator! Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way during my high school years.

Who is your most valued role model and why?
Without a shadow of a doubt I say my mother! Never have I met anyone in my life more committed than my mother. She raised three children by herself while commuting to dental school, working a full time job, providing for myself and my siblings, and keeping us in private schools! If that doesn't constitute the true meaning of dedication and determination, I don't know what does.

What was your most unexpected moment?
One night after a youth service at church, I was gathering my sisters together to head home. When we walked outside to the parking lot, my parents were standing next to a new car they had just bought for me! Needless to say I was so ecstatic because I had been driving a car almost as old as I was... now my sister has the privilege of driving the "blue whale"!

What is your workout routine?
I love exercising! I do at least 30 minutes of cardio everyday along with abdominal work. I alternate upper/lower body workouts and weight lifting to every other day. I recently started pilates which I have found to be really interesting.

What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?
My biggest accomplishment to date is mentoring an entire class of first graders at my high school's sister elementary school. Not only did I help improve their reading and communication skills, but I also connected with some of the children on a personal level. Their innocence and meekness taught me to humble myself and be a servant to others rather than edifying myself.

What is the best compliment you have ever received?
I always get compliments on my eyes. I not only have very long eyelashes, but my eye color changes from blue to green depending on what I am wearing. My favorite compliment so far: "Your eyes look like huge starbursts!"

What is your secret wish?
My secret wish is to become a famous chef and travel the world preparing my specialties for different restaurants. The only problem is that I can't even make a decent grilled cheese sandwich now.. which is why this is my SECRET WISH!

What was your most embarrassing moment?
One day during middle school, all the students filed into the cafeteria for a fifteen minute break in between classes. I ran for a seat next to my friends, and the moment I began to sit down a boy pulled my chair from beneath me! I fell to the ground, skirt and all flying up. Needless to say, I was furious and thoroughly embarrassed.

What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
CHOCOLATE!!! My boyfriend is the biggest "choco-holic" and it has definitely rubbed off on me. I am a sucker for anything chocolate in any shape, form, or fashion. It's just too good to pass up!

What is your favorite movie and why?
My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice. It's a beautiful love story set in an older era with every element of a movie that a girl ought to love!

What is your favorite color and why?
My favorite color is pink simply because it represents womanhood and the epitome of happiness. My favorite color to WEAR, however, is black. To me, it is elegant and sleek, professional and classic. It also matches with everything and everyone looks great in black!

What do you like to do for fun... relaxation... recreation?
A day at the spa is never a bad thing! I rarely have the money for that though, so I resort to cuddling up with my favorite blanket and reading a Nicholas Sparks book. I also love taking a blanket to the reservoir and throwing a football or frisbee. If it's raining, I love to just watch movies with the people I love!

What would be your dream vacation or destination?
I have always wanted to visit Greece! The Mediterranean Sea is gorgeous, and I would find it fascinating to stay in one of the tiny houses where they are all built next to one another along a steep hillside. The colors of the country are breath taking! That would be my paradise!

What do you like best about your hometown?
Flowood is becoming such a hot spot with all of the new shopping centers, restaurants, and neighborhoods being built. Even though there is a lot going on, I love the family atmosphere of it all. I have lived in Flowood for almost 10 years and haven't been to Wal-Mart once without seeing someone I know and stopping to say hello. It's just part of being in a small town!

What do you like best about the state of Mississippi, besides our food & hospitality?
I love the fact that even though we are smaller state, we still have so many historical and celebrated figures come from our state. From Eudora Welty to Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman to Elvis Presley, we have a wide range of celebrities and talents that evolved right here in the Magnolia State. Not to mention our 4 Miss America's!! I'm proud to call myself a Mississippian!

What's in your CD player or on your iPod right now?
I have Christmas music in my CD player right now! It doesn't matter what month of the year or how hot it is outside, I am ALWAYS in the mood for a little Christmas cheer!

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, I will be married to the love of my life and be working as a traveling nurse. I will have almost 7 years of labor and delivery work experience under my belt and might even be heading back to medical school to pursue a new career as an OB-GYN. Anything is possible and wherever the Lord leads me, I will follow!

Who am I?
I am Morgan Elizabeth Byrd, daughter of Tom and Missie Bales. I was born and raised in the good ole' South where strangers will hug your neck just to be friendly. I am the middle child with 3 sisters and 1 brother. I like Italian and Mexican food and can only think of a few things I love more than a big cup of coffee on a cold day.

My heart and passion belongs to children. I am currently pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse and will one day work in pediatrics. I am a volunteer at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital where I visit every Wednesday afternoon. My dream is to make a difference in as many young people's lives as I can during my lifetime. I want to leave a legacy not with my name or a title but instead with my actions and caring spirit.

I am not a high-maintenance person whatsoever. As long as I have family and friends to support me through life, I'm set. By serving as Miss Mississippi College and hopefully Miss Mississippi, I hope to learn how to humble myself in order to serve others. Wearing the crown and having the title isn't to edify myself. I want to be a servant to my community and state, as well as a leader and role model to those who look up to me. I want to most importantly make Mississippi College proud for naming me Miss MC 2008. Hopefully, I will get to say the same for Miss Mississippi 2008!

Tell us about your occupational experience.
My job at the present moment consists of working at the on-campus radio station at Mississippi College. I have learned so much from the time I have been here. My communication skills have increased dramatically, and I like to think that I have become more of a "people person" as well. I come in contact with numerous people during my days at Star 93.5. I have learned that you can't please everyone, but you need to try your hardest to do so! I take my job very seriously and dedicate myself to my daily tasks as office manager. Sometimes work can be overwhelming, but we also have a little fun every now and then!

Tell us about your platform.
My platform focuses on the importance of mentoring children. Growing up, we all needed that special someone who we could look up to and trust with our biggest secrets. Unfortunately, parents aren't always there for this role. That's where we come in.. MENTORS!!! Being a mentor isn't just serving as a tutor or teacher to a child. It's about getting on their level and simply being their friend! President Bush stated: "Mentors are soldiers in the armies of compassion." That is simply what a mentor is. A friend. A good listener. A "go-to" person.

I have been involved with several different mentoring programs over the years. I am currently a member of MC Friends, a group of students serving as mentors dedicated to different elementary classes. Every Monday I sit with Mrs. McLeod's 5th grade class and help students who are falling behind in certain areas. I not only get to help the students improve academically, but I also get to be a positive role model in their lives. To me, that is the most important issue of all. I have a passion for helping children reach their full potential. It starts with an attitude of "I can do it!" and ends with success.

My goal is to make a difference. I WILL be a role model for children and work to help them be the best they can be. I WILL set my standards high and live up to them. I want to get as many people involved with mentoring so they too can see what an incredible experience this is. Not only is it rewarding for yourself, it is life changing for the children.