What are your hobbies?
I enjoy singing many genres of music, dancing, and playing the piano. I am passionate about activities at my church and school. I love to work out and be outdoors.

What makes you special and unique?
I was adopted by my grandparents when i was born, so they are my parents and grandparents in one! I am 6'2", which is a little on the tall side but I don't mind.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
"You can't keep a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair."- The late Bro. G.R. Hilliard. Adversity comes to everyone but it's how you deal with it that counts. You can control whether it breaks you down or makes you stronger.

Name one thing you cannot live without.
I would not want to live without my family. We are very close and they support me in everything I do, whether I succeed or not.

What is the most valuable lesson you ever learned?
"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised!" Proverbs 31:30. When the surface of a person fades, their true character has a golden opportunity to shine through, and that is more beautiful than all the pageant gowns in the world!

Who is your most valued role model and why?
I can't mention one of my role models without mentioning the other! My parents are shining examples of what I want to be. They have been there through everything and supported me even when I didn't think I needed them. They will always be my biggest fans.

What was your most unexpected moment?
Several years ago I was in a local piano competition, which also served as a summer music conservatory audition. They were awarding full and half scholarships to the winners based on performance. When I finished my piece I was positive that I had totally ruined my audition, but I was actually the winner of a full scholarship!

What is your workout routine?
I use a DVD series six days a week for 60 to 75 minutes a night. In addition, I jog at the city park and try to maintain an overall active lifestyle.

What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?
I had the privilege of starting college a year early. I was home-schooled so I could work at my own pace and I was able to graduate ahead of time so I am one of the youngest members of the NEMCC 2008 graduating class!

What is the best compliment you have ever received?
One of the older ladies at my church told me that my voice calls down angels. I cannot think of a better compliment I could have received.

What is your secret wish?
To become Miss Mississippi 2008!!

What was your most embarrassing moment?
I was invited to perform a piano sonata for a group of very respected music teachers and experts when I was 13. Feeling very confident in myself, I didn't look at my music the day of my performance. When I sat down behind the massive grand piano, I put my hands on the keys-- and completely forgot my whole piece! I was so shaken up I couldn't even perform. It was definitely the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to me.

What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Chocolate! I love anything that even smells like it might be chocolate!

What is your favorite movie and why?
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I enjoy watching old musicals and this is my favorite! All of the songs are wonderful and I know the dances by heart.

What is your favorite color and why?
My favorite color is pink. A pink carnation means "I will never forget you" and it is also the color of universal love.

What do you like to do for fun... relaxation... recreation?
I love summertime activities! Swimming, relaxing in the sun, and camping are some of my favorite things to do. Singing is a form of relaxation to me. Even if noone is listening I can sing to myself and I forget about stress and problems for a little while.

What would be your dream vacation or destination?
I am guilty of organizing my imaginary trip back to Europe. I would love to tour the whole European countryside from England down to Greece. I would also enjoy a trip through Israel. The rich history there fascinates me.

What do you like best about your hometown?
I am so proud of my hometown! I don't meet many people I don't know, and if I don't know them the person I'm with knows them. You can see history around every corner. There simply aren't many people in Corinth that don't make you feel right at home!

What do you like best about the state of Mississippi, besides our food & hospitality?
Mississippi really does have the best of both worlds! You can see the positive influences of cultural and industrial improvements, yet you can't escape the smalltown feel.

What's in your CD player or on your iPod right now?
Norah Jones is in my CD player. Her voice is so relaxing! My iPod has little bit of everything from praise and worship, to jazz, to dance mixes for jogging.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I see myself holding a doctorate in clinical psychology and operating my own women's crisis center in my hometown! Hopefully, I will be back to celebrate in Vicksburg as Miss Mississippi 2008!

Who am I?
I am Katrina Lynn Mays, and I am from Corinth Mississippi. I am eighteen years old and an upcoming junior at the University of Mississippi. I grew up with my grandparents in a small town, and I was home-schooled. Some people thought that I might have problems adjusting socially when I finally had to join the real world because I never had to deal with other people, but I can't think of one way that my social skills have suffered.

I have a great passion for anything musical. I have been involved in voice, piano, and dance most of my life. I had a wonderful piano teacher that was also our church pianist. She was such an inspiration to me. My singing is something that just came easy for me. I never had any real training, but it is one of my greatest pleasures in life. I was also a choreographer for a praise team called David's Praise for almost four years.

I have very set goals in my life and I believe I can achieve every one of them. I am in the process of obtaining a degree in clinical psychology. After completing my studies I plan to open a practice and expand our women's crisis center, SaveALife, and add a full non-profit adoption agency. My parents have always made me believe that I can achieve anything that I set my mind to, and I will always believe that.

There is much more to say about my plans but not enough strength in my fingers to put it all down. Most of all, I cherish every moment of my life because it is a gift. My life has been given to me to use for the glory of God, and I try my best to do so. I only want to be the best I can be, and if I become that the rest will fall into place.

Tell us about your occupational experience.
My first job was actually very interesting. I worked at the oldest operating business in Mississippi, Borroum's Drug Store. It consists of a pharmacy, restaurant, and old-fashioned soda shop. I was a "soda jerk" as my dad called it. I got to experience history first-hand in the nostalgic duties I performed and also in the people that came into the store everyday. Our patrons were always full of stories of the way things used to be and I never tired of hearing them!

My current job is at KC's Espresso in Corinth. I absolutely love my job! I have the privilege of working with some of my best friends in the world and my bosses are wonderful. We have a very diverse group of customers from different parts of the country that all come together over one of our hot cups of coffee!

Tell us about your platform.
My platform is adoption and foster care. Children's homes in Mississippi are under funded and there are many more kids that need access to them. There are several ways to adopt in Mississippi, but most people don't have enough information to decide whether adoption is the best thing for them.

My goal is to raise funds for children's shelters around the state and bring information to the public about how wonderful adoption can be. Eventually I want to found a non-profit adoption agency called Adopting Our Nation's Future. Expectant mothers need to know that there are options for them to turn to that will give their children an opportunity to thrive and become all they can be.

I am passionate about this subject because I am adopted. My grandparents adopted me and they are the reason I am who I am today. I truly believe that adoption and foster care need to be in the forefront of the mind of our state and our nation.