Carey Medical Student Crowned Miss Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Miss., July 15, 2013 - William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) student Chelsea Rick was crowned Miss Mississippi in Vicksburg on July 13. Rick, a native of Fulton, is a second-year medical student who plans to specialize in internal medicine.
This was Rick's fifth year to compete in the pageant and her perseverance served her well. As Miss Amory Railroad Festival, she won $10,000 in scholarships for the crown, as well as $500 for winning a talent preliminary and $400 for winning a swimwear preliminary. Ricks was most excited about winning the talent preliminary, as singing has been one of her many lifelong passions.
Beyond the glitz and glamour aspect of the Miss Mississippi pageant, Rick was also thrilled to have the chance to promote her platform, Full Plates, Healthy States, which focuses on ending child hunger. She became interested after volunteering at a local food pantry as a teenager, and as her interest in medicine developed, she realized that malnutrition was the initial cause of many health issues. In her new role as Miss Mississippi, Rick will have the opportunity to promote her platform around the state and visit with children at local hospitals. She is most excited about going to the Children's Miracle Network Hospital and serving as a positive role model for the children.
As her busy schedule for Miss Mississippi tours and visits begins, Rick will also prepare to represent the state at the Miss America Pageant September 10-15 in Atlantic City.
Other Carey students competing in the Miss Mississippi Pageant were Miss WCU Jennifer DeMelo; Miss Deep South Ali Blackledge; Miss Southern Magnolia Julie Falgout, and Miss Spirit of the South Shelby Ryals. A recent Carey graduate who serves as a dental hygienist and sergeant in the U.S. Army, DeMelo won the overall Quality of Life award and scholarship for her platform work: Healthy Smiles, Happy Smiles: Promoting Good Oral Hygiene. Blackledge, who is working on her master's in education at Carey, won the People's Choice award and scholarship.