GilesJackie

    Twenty-eight Meridian and Lauderdale County high school girls will vie for the titles of Meridian’s and Lauderdale County’s 2011 Junior Miss during two nights of competition at the MSU Riley Center.

    The first night of competition is Friday and will feature 12 girls representing Lauderdale County. The following night, Feb. 27, 16 girls will compete for the Meridian title.

    The winners of the two programs will go on to compete in the Mississippi Junior Miss Program, held locally in July.

    Following are brief bios of the contenders.

Meridian Junior Miss Candidates

Shatara Sherquitti

McClelland

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: Registered Nurse

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of Dallas

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Student Council • Newspaper Staff • Yearbook Staff • Senior Red Circle • Drama Club • HOSA Club

TALENT: Poem

Essence Le’Kayla Jones

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: Professional Vocalist

COLLEGE CHOICES: Arkansas State University

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Meridian High School Show Choir “Lamplighters” • Meridian High School Concert Choir • Meridian High School Marching Band • East Mississippi All-Star Competitive Cheerleading • Limited Edition Positive Self Image Group

TALENT: Vocal

Arrielle Marie Dale

HIGH SCHOOL: Calvary Christian High School

CAREER GOALS: To be on Broadway and a Dance Teacher

COLLEGE CHOICES: Oklahoma City University

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Beta Club, president• Debs Social Service Club, secretary/co-pledge • RAT Pack Dance Troupe Partnership for a Healthy Lauderdale County • CYM church group; events chairman • Cheerleader • King Red Production Group – dance, singing and acting • Singing, Bob Westbrook of Memphis, Tenn. • Meridian Little Theatre, youth and adult productions • Dance, Mary Alpha School of Dance • Yearbook and Prom/Homecoming Committee

TALENT: Ballet en Pointe

Trinity Shauntea Glenn

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: Super Model or Fashion Magazine Editor

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of West Alabama

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Meridian High School Band (Color Guard) • Meridian High School Dance Team • Mt. Horem Baptist Church Choir • Participating in Beauty Pageants • Reading• Singing• Modeling • Spending time with family and friends

TALENT: Instrumental

Jazmine EnGracia Green

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: Orthodontist

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of Mississippi

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: JROTC Program • Playing basketball • Playing volleyball • Yearbook Staff • Allie Health program• MHS Powerlifting Team

TALENT: Dramatic Poem

Clarissa Vera Reid

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: Anesthesiologist

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of Mississippi

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Band • Color Guard Captain • National Honor Society • Anchor Club • HOSA • Church Children’s Choir • Praise Dance Team • Church Women’s Choir

TALENT: Vocal Performance

Mary Paige Griffin

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: Pharmacy

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of Mississippi

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: National Honor Society • Leadership Lauderdale Youth • Anchor Club • Dusty Social Service Club, membership chairman • St. Patrick’s CYM, worship chairman • St. Patrick’s Choir, Volleyball, Altar Server • Varsity Cheer Squad •

Competitive Dance Company • Key Club • Fellowship of Christian Athletes

TALENT: Dance

Tashiya Shayanna Ward

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: Pediatrician

COLLEGE CHOICES: The University of Alabama

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Meridian High School Concert Choir (Superior) • Meridian High School Singers • Meridian High School Lamplighters • Anchor Club • Drama Club • Youth Choir member of Ephesus SDA Church • Youth Leader of Pathfinders at

Ephesus SDA Church

TALENT: Musical Theatre

Ulyssia La’toria Cole

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: Pharmacy

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of Alabama at Birmingham

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Attends Mount Olive Baptist Church • Anchor Club• Key Club • MHS Marching Band, Wind Ensemblen• Mount Olive Youth Leadership

TALENT: Instrumental

McKenzie Leigh Griffin

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: Physical Therapy

COLLEGE CHOICES: Mississippi State University

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Leadership Lauderdale Youth • Student Council (Class President) • Dusty Social Service Club • National Honor Society Anchor Club • Meridian Little Theater Productions • MHS Cheerleading Squad • Anchor Club • Key Club • Cambiata Choir • MHS Tennis Team

TALENT: Vocal/Drama

Lynn Renea Rushing

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: Business Administration

COLLEGE CHOICES: Jackson State University

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Meridian Junior Varsity Track Team • Youth Leader at First Union Baptist Church • Participated in Bible Bowl

TALENT: Poetry

Kanieshawa Symone Kelly

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: CARDIOLOGIST

COLLEGE CHOICES: TOUGALOO COLLEGE

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Member of Meridian High School Band • Cheerleader for Northwest Junior High 07-08 • Attends New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, usher and Praise Dancer •  Member of Drama • Color Guard in Meridian High School Marching Band 2008-09 • Cheerleader at MHS for 2009-10 • Cast member of 2009 production of “School House Rock: The Musical”

TALENT: Instrumental

Grace Elizabeth McKelvey

HIGH SCHOOL: Lamar School

CAREER GOALS: Engineering/Science Field

COLLEGE CHOICES: Undecided

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: First Presbyterian Youth Group • Fellowship of Christian Athletes • Junior Varsity and Varsity Basketball • Leadership Lauderdale Youth • Varsity Cross Country and Track • Junior Varsity Cheerleader

TALENT: Dance performance

Nae’toria LaShea Williams

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: To be an OBGYN or Traveling Nurse

COLLEGE CHOICES: Yale or Harvard University

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Girls Powerlifting • Taking Piano Lessons • Praise dancing at church

TALENT: piano

Kristen Taylor Blanks

HIGH SCHOOL: West Lauderdale High School

CAREER GOALS: Broadcasting

COLLEGE CHOICES: Jackson State University

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: MLT Production • Usher Board • FCA • West Lauderdale Band• West Lauderdale Soccer • Student Council • Zeta Phi Beta Archonette Club • Alma Hall Singers

TALENT: Liturgical dance

Mary Frances Maranto

HIGH SCHOOL: Meridian High School

CAREER GOALS: Foreign Ministry

COLLEGE CHOICES: Undecided

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: First Presbyterian Youth Group, worship leader • MHS Academic Team, 10th and 11th grades • MHS Varsity Tennis Team, 9th-11th • Dusty Social Service Club • Cambiata Singers, 10th and 11th grades • F.I.S.H. Club, “See You At The Pole” Worship Leader • Anchor Club, class representative • MHS Concert Choir, 10th • Cast of “Give My Regards” musical, 10th grade • Yearbook Staff, 9th grade

TALENT: Vocal Performance

Lauderdale County

Melissa Jane Williams

HIGH SCHOOL: Lamar High School

CAREER GOALS: History Professor

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of Mississippi

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Member of Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church • Fellowship of Christian Athletes • National Honor Society • National Beta Club • DEBS Social Service Club • Piano, 10 years • Varsity Cheerleader • Varsity Fast Pitch and Slow Pitch Softball • Varsity Basketball• Varsity Soccer

TALENT: Instrumental

Blake Courtney Castle

HIGH SCHOOL: West Lauderdale High School

CAREER GOALS: Nutritionist/Dietitian

COLLEGE CHOICES: Louisiana State University

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Active member of Faith Baptist Church Youth Ministry • WLHS Christian Fellowship Club • Student Council • Future Business Leaders of America • Elite Showcase Competition Dance Troupe • WLHS Cross Country Team • Competitive Cheer Team • Pat Gray Academy of Dance/Gymnastics staff member • Prom Committee • Volunteer: Make-A-Wish Foundation & Wesley House

TALENT: Lyrical Dance

Jackie Giles

HIGH SCHOOL: West Lauderdale High School

CAREER GOALS: Public Relations or Editor

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of Southern Mississippi

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Leadership Lauderdale • Cambiata Singers • Yearbook Staff  • Mississippi Baptist Youth Choir • Christian Fellowship Club, secretary • Student Council Representative • Bible Drills• Fellowship of Christian Athletes • Midway Baptist Youth Group

TALENT: piano performance

Brooklee Paige Akin

HIGH SCHOOL: West Lauderdale High School

CAREER GOALS: Emergency Medicine

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of Southern Mississippi

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: First Baptist Church of Collinsville youth group.• Participates in church trips and retreats,• Father-Daughter

banquets, Girls Ministry• Christmas programs and Sunday School• Little Sister in the 2010 Junior Miss Program.• Suzie McCraw School of

Dance• Participates in See You At The Pole at WLHS• Participates in the Meridian Christmas Parades• LCSD staff and faculty meeting performance.• Participated in “The Grinch” at WLHS.

TALENT: Jazz/Acrobatic Routine

Hailey Morgan Thomas

HIGH SCHOOL: Clarkdale Attendance Center

CAREER GOALS: Orthopedic Surgeon

COLLEGE CHOICES: The University of Mississippi

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Member of Jones Chapel Church of God • Clarkdale Cheerleader • Performed in Clarkdale’s productions • Performed in MCC’s productions • Honor Society member • Bible Club member • Spanish Club member • Clarkdale

High School basketball team • Clarkdale High School Annual Staff (two

years) • Homecoming Maid, 9th grade

TALENT: vocal/drama

Kristin Michelle Simms

HIGH SCHOOL: West Lauderdale High School

CAREER GOALS: Forensic Science

COLLEGE CHOICES: Eastern Kentucky University

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: WLHS Cheerleader • WLHS Dance Team • FCA • Knights for Christ • Church Youth Group, St. Patrick Catholic Church • Children’s Church Assistant, St. Patrick Church • WLHS Yearbook Staff • Okatibbee Water Park employee • Miller’s Gymnastics • Carol Merrill Academy of Dance

TALENT: Piano performance

Brittany Jene’ Pearson

HIGH SCHOOL: Northeast Lauderdale High School

CAREER GOALS: Orthopedic Surgeon majoring in Sports Medicine

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of Mississippi

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Member of Lauderdale Baptist Church • Member of Lauderdale Baptist Youth Group • Leadership Lauderdale member • Varsity Cheerleader • Varsity Soccer • Fellowship of Christian Athletes • Student Council • Yearbook Staff • Diamond Girl

TALENT: Jazz Dance

Bonnie Blue Dulaney

HIGH SCHOOL: West Lauderdale High School

CAREER GOALS: Physical Therapy

COLLEGE CHOICES: Mississippi State University

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: State Superintendant’s Youth Advisory Board • Leader of MDE’s On the Bus Campaign • WLHS Cheerleading & Dance Team • Pianist for First Baptist Church Praise Band • Math & Science Team • Fellowship of Christian Athletes • Future Business Leaders of America • Student Council • Dusty Social Service Club •

Red Cross Certified Lifeguard and Swim Instructor

TALENT: Piano Instrumental

Loagan MacKenzie Ortlepp

HIGH SCHOOL: West Lauderdale High School

CAREER GOALS: Plastic Surgeon

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of Mississippi

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: National Junior Honor Society • Lauderdale County Student Advisory Council • High School Student Council • High School Yearbook Staff • Fellowship of Christian Athletes • West Lauderdale Varsity Competition Cheerleading Squad • West Lauderdale Competition Dance Team • First Baptist Church Youth Group/ Youth Choir • Prom Committee•  “Elite Company” of Carol Merrill Academy

of Dance

TALENT: Jazz Dance

Stephanie Pagayao Grayson

HIGH SCHOOL: Clarkdale Attendance Center

CAREER GOALS: Pediatrician

COLLEGE CHOICES: Emmanuel College

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Spanish Club, president • Chorus Club, president • Beta Club, president • Mu Alpha Theta • National Honor Society • Fellowship of Christian Athletes, secretary • Bible Club • Student Council • Soccer Team • Cheerleading Squad

TALENT: Vocal Instrumental Guitar

Ashton Laura Lamoreaux

HIGH SCHOOL: Homeschool-Dual Enrollment

CAREER GOALS: Neurosurgeon/ Music minor

COLLEGE CHOICES: Mississippi College

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Faithful member of Briarwood Baptist Church, 10 years • Member of the Baptist Student Union at MCC • Substitute Worship Leader at Briarwood BC • Substitute pianist at Briarwood BC • Youth Action Committee Elected Officer, three years • Meridian Little Theater production “Peter Pan” • Meridian Little

Theater “A Christmas Carol” • Adult Choir member at Briarwood Baptist Church •

Journey Youth Organization Member, three years • North Meridian Youth Softball Organization, eight years

TALENT: Piano Performance

Lauren Brooke Harrison

HIGH SCHOOL: West Lauderdale High School

CAREER GOALS: Neonatal Nurse

COLLEGE CHOICES: University of Southern Mississippi

ACTIVITIES/HONORS: Suzie McCraw Dance Ensembles • Gym Exhibition Team • Health Occupation Students of America • Lauderdale County 4-H • Future Farmers of America • Fellowship of Christian Athletes • Northcrest Youth Group • Prom Committee • Student Council • Varsity Cheerleader, 9th grade

TALENT: Contemporary/Lyrical Dance