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Madison Student Callie Shirley Wins $3,400 in Miss Mississippi Pageant Scholarships


MC assistant director for student life Dannie Woods and 2014 Miss Mississippi College Callie Shirley of Madison

Miss Mississippi College Callie Shirley didn’t leave empty-handed at the 2014 statewide pageant in Vicksburg.

In fact, the MC nursing major from Madison really shined at the Miss Mississippi Pageant as she won $3,400 in scholarships. Her honors included capturing the River Region’s Women in Medicine Award.

Performing the piano on stage in the Red Carpet City before a live audience in Vicksburg and thousands of viewers watching on WLBT-TV 3 in Jackson, and staying energized during non-stop rehearsals were highlights of her hectic week. Waving to crowds of well-wishers lining downtown Vicksburg in a festive parade was another unforgettable moment.

“We were constantly in rehearsals, practicing our production dances, talents and walks,’’ Callie said Friday. “It was almost like a marathon. I had to pace myself and use my energy wisely.”

Utilizing music to bring comfort to elderly Mississippians suffering from dementia was her personal platform. She organized a drive at MC and partnered with schools and businesses to collect IPods and get them in the hands of people in nursing homes. The campaign was something that Callie promoted from Mississippi College’s pageant in January to the Vicksburg ceremonies on July 12.

Dannie Woods, assistant director for student life, speaks for the entire Mississippi College family in saying that Callie’s performance at the 2014 Miss Mississippi Pageant was simply amazing.

“She truly exemplified the Mississippi College student by demonstrating her intelligence, talent, beauty, grace and Christ-centered character,” Woods said. “I’m so proud to call her our Miss MC and be her director.”

The daughter of Tammi and Barri Shirley is also an excellent student on the Clinton campus with a perfect 4.0 average.

While Jasmine Murray reigns as the 2014 Miss Mississippi, Callie Shirley says that just being part of the televised pageant was tremendous.

“Through this experience I have gained so much knowledge about myself, the world around me, and communication and personal skills that I will be able to apply throughout the rest of my life,” the Mississippi College student says. “I will be eternally grateful for the many memories I made during my time in Vicksburg.”

Being able to compete in the Miss Mississippi Pageant, Callie said, fulfilled a lifelong dream.