On Jan. 8, 2011, Sarah Irvin, a Senior Counseling and Psychology major at Mississippi State University in Starkville, was crowned Miss Meridian 2011.

    Irvin will compete in the Miss Mississippi Pageant (a state affiliate of the Miss America Scholarship Program) in Vicksburg this summer with preliminary competitions beginning on June 29 and ending with the final night of the pageant on July 2. 

    For her community service platform as Miss Meridian, Sarah is promoting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — Supporting Cutting Edge Treatment, Research, and Cures for Childhood Cancer.

    Irvin also plans to launch a “Books for a Cure” Reading and Book Club for the pediatric cancer patients housed at the St. Jude sponsored patient family-centered lodging facilities, which include the Memphis Grizzlies House, the Ronald McDonald House, and the Target House.

    Sarah is the daughter of the Rev. Danny and Angie Irvin of Ackerman. She is the granddaughter Mrs. Martha Irvin of Sidon, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bishop of Leland, and Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Russell of Clarksdale.

    Sarah welcomes your prayers and support as she participates among Miss Mississippi’s 45 contestants in the pageant’s five main areas of competition, including Personal Judges Interview, Talent, Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit, Evening Wear, and Onstage Question.

    To find out which local Mississippi stations will be telecasting the final night of the pageant or to watch the Miss Mississippi Pageant online visit the broadcast link at www.missmississippipageant,org.