Miss West Virginia 2010 Talia Markham

Talia Markham
Ripley, West Virginia
Age: 22

Education:
Ripley High School
University of Charleston

Platform Issue: Child Abuse & Neglect - Breaking the Cycle

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a law or graduate degree

Talent: Vocal

Scholastic Honors: National Dean's List, National Honor Roll, Graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 2.5 years

Career Ambition: To serve in the public relations field and ultimately hold a position in elected office

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Capital City - Miss Kanawha Valley Scholarship Organization

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization

Miss West Virginia 2009 Kayla Lynam

Kayla Lynam
Short Gap, West Virginia
Age: 21

Education:
Frankfort High School
Grove City College

Platform Issue: F.I.T.T. Habits

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship and begin working towards a Master's degree in Business Administration

Talent: Piano

Scholastic Honors: Joseph Cicero Scholarship Recipient; Deans List; GCC 2008 Business Plan Competition Winner

Career Ambition: To become a Naval Nuclear Propulsion System Contract Specialist

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Eastern Panhandle

Miss West Virginia 2008 Summer Elizabeth Wyatt

Summer Elizabeth Wyatt
Princeton, West Virginia
Age: 21

Education:
PikeView High School
Concord University

Platform Issue: Making the Connection: Animal Cruelty and Family Violence

Scholastic Ambition: Obtain a Masters Degree in Animal Sciences or Zoology

Talent: Vocal

Scholastic Honors: - Promise Scholar - Who's Who Among American High School Students

Other Accomplishments: Being crowned Miss West Virginia 2007.

Career Ambition: USDA or ASPCA animal cruelty investigator.

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Kanawha Valley Scholarship

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization

Miss West Virginia 2007 Tiffany Lawrence

Tiffany Lawrence
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Age: 24

Education:
Jefferson High School
Shepherd University – Dual Major in Political Science and Business Administration
Shenandoah University – Master of Business Administration

Platform Issue: The Power of Positive Self-Esteem

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Ph.D. in Public Administration

Talent: Vocal

Scholastic Honors: Durell Fellow 4.0 GPA; Phi Kappa Phi National Honorary; Dean’s Award – Outstanding Graduate Student

Career Ambition: To become a governor of West Virginia/CEO of my own marketing firm

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Jefferson County

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization, Inc

Miss West Virginia 2006 Kimberly Goodwin

Kimberly Goodwin
Morgantown, West Virginia
Age: 21

Education:
University High School
West Virginia University—undergraduate—Communication Studies

Platform Issue: Awareness and Education: The Key to Tobacco Prevention

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Master’s Degree in Business Administration

Talent: Tap Dance

Scholastic Honors: Recipient of 2002 P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Scholarship; Invited to be a member of the elite National College Honor Society; Math Honorary—Mu Alpha Theta

Career Ambition: To continue to own and manage my own business

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Morgantown

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization, Inc

Miss West Virginia 2004 Julia Burton

Julia Burton
Petersburg, West Virginia
Age: 22

Education:
Petersburg High School
West Virginia University – senior – Bachelor of Science, Journalism with a major emphasis in Public Relations

Platform Issue: Mentor K.I.D.S. – Boys and Girls Clubs of America

Scholastic Ambition: Obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism as well as a Masters of Business Administration

Talent: Pop/Vocal

Scholastic Honors: West Virginia University Dean’s List; West Virginia University Scholarship Recipient; Direct admission to the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism

Career Ambition: To be an Executive in the Music Industry with a major record label and performer of vocal music

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Southern West Virginia

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization, Inc.

Three Nouns that Can Describe the Contestant: Football Fan Food Lover Movie Buff

Miss West Virginia 2003 Allison Renee Williams

Allison Renee Williams
Morgantown, West Virginia
Age: 22

Education:
Jefferson High School
West Virginia University

Platform Issue: S.T.A.R.: Start to Accept Responsibility - Take Control of Your Future

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a juris doctorate from West Virginia University College of Law

Talent: Vocal

Scholastic Honors: Summa Cum Laude; West Virginia University Foundation Outstanding Senior Award; National Dean's List 2001-2003; recipient of Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarship

Other Accomplishments: Completed internship for West Virginia University Presidential Project; selected to be a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters; volunteer for Focus and the Boy's and Girl's Club; featured guest soloist for West Virginia's 132nd birthday celebration parade

Family: Father is a self-employed contractor/builder. Mother is a department supervisor. She has one brother, Doug, 33.

Career Ambition: To practice family law, representing clients and focusing on creating positive outcomes

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Mountain State

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization, Inc., Clarksburg

Miss West Virginia 2002 Janna Renee Kerns

Janna Renee Kerns
Terra Alta, West Virginia
Age: 23

Education:
Preston High School
West Virginia University

Platform Issue: Cancer Abolishment through Research and Education

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Relations

Talent: Vocal

Scholastic Honors: West Virginia University Community Music Achievement Award and Honors Recital; National Thespian Society; 1st Place Patriot Coal Essay Scholarship Contest

Other Accomplishments: American Cancer Society Volunteer-Daffodil Days Planning Committee and Publicity Chair; read aloud literacy volunteer; Melanne Pennington Community Service Award

Employment: bridal consultant/associate buyer, visitor relations in a funeral home

Family: Father is a resource development manager. Mother is a homemaker. She has one sister, Krista, 26.

Career Ambition: To enter the public relations field through the bridal industry

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Morgantown

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization, Inc., Clarksburg

Miss West Virginia 2001 Danae DeMasi

Danae DeMasi
Morgantown, West Virginia
Age: 21

Education:

Catholic High School
West Virginia University, Geibel

Platform Issue: Literacy

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a PHD

Talent: Ballet En Pointe

Scholastic Honors: Golden Key National Honor Society; The National Society of Collegiate Scholars

Other Accomplishments: Member of Orchestra Dance Ensemble at WVU; Dean’s list; designed a program for the public schools called D.A.N.C.E. (Dance Appreciation for Children through Education)

Employment: Worked in a bridal salon; part-time former assistant dance instructor

Family: Father is a supervisor at a pharmaceutical company. Mother is a schoolteacher.

Career Ambition: To teach at a university

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Appalachia

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization, Inc., Clarksburg

Miss West Virginia 2000 Jodi Clark

Jodi Clark
Moundsville, West Virginia
Age: 22

Education:
John Marshall High School
West Virginia University Graduate

Platform Issue: Voter Registration Awareness

Scholastic Ambition: To Obtain a Juris Doctorate

Talent: Ballet En Pointe

Scholastic Honors: President’s and Dean’s List; Golden Key National Honor Society; WVU Magna Cum Laude Graduate

Other Accomplishments: “Voter Awareness” Speaking Tour; Assisted in WVU and MTV “Rock the Vote” Registration Drive; Award of Bravery Recipient

Employment: Paralegal; Shelter Counselor; Dance Instructor

Family: Father is a Retired Public Official. Mother is Employed by an Interior Design Company. She has two brothers, Alfred Jr., 35, and Rodney, 30.

Career Ambition: To Practice International Corporate Law

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Point Pleasant

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization, Inc., Clarksburg

Miss West Virginia 1999 Lucy Joanna Ours

Lucy Joanna Ours
Petersburg, West Virginia
Age: 22

Education:
Petersburg High School
West Virginia University

Platform Issue: Mentoring

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations and then to obtain a Master's Degree

Talent: Vocal

Scholastic Honors: Chosen as an Alderson-Broaddus College Concert Choir Member, A-B College Music Department Scholarship; Chosen as a member of A-B College's nationally known Show Choir "The West Virginians"

Other Accomplishments: Member of National Mentoring Partnership; Key Note Speaker for the 1999 RESA Teen Institute Rally; Delivered the 1999 Pre-Prom Speech at Jefferson High School

Employment: Lifeguard at the Community Pool

Family: Father is an Attorney. Mother is a Job Specialist. She has one brother, John, 19.

Career Ambition: To pursue a career in Public Relations

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Mason County Scholarship Pageant

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization, Inc., Clarksburg

Miss West Virginia 1998 Amy Townsend

Amy Townsend
Morgantown, West Virginia
Age: 23

Education:
Billings West High School
West Virginia University (B.S.)
West Virginia University Graduate Student

Platform Issue: Literacy: St.A.R.T.-Students and Athletes Reading Together

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Master's Degree in Sport Management

Talent: Popular Vocal

Scholastic Honors: Dean's List; National Association of College Athletic Directors Scholarship (97); Eddie Barrett Sports Information Scholarship (97); Honor student in English and biology; honor roll (89-93)

Other Accomplishments: Vice Chair of WVU Board of Governors (96-97); WVU homecoming court; completed work toward a bachelor's degree in three and one-half years.

Employment: Graduate assistant for WVU sports communications

Family: Father is a petroleum engineer and investment banker. Mother is a homemaker and active in community service. She has one sister, Jessica, 20.

Career Ambition: To pursue a career in college athletics administration

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Marion County Area Pageant

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Pageant, Inc., Clarksburg

Miss West Virginia 1997 Eisa Megan Krushansky

Eisa Megan Krushansky
Westover, West Virginia
Age: 24

Education:
Morgantown High School - 1991
West Virginia University - Graduate

Platform Issue: Alzheimer's Awareness

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a master's degree in secondary education with an emphasis in health and instructional technology. To receive a doctorate in education administration

Talent: Tap Dance

Scholastic Honors: Cum laude Graduate; Dean’s List; Most Outstanding Secondary Education Student; served on the WVU Teacher Education Center Drafting Design Team; teacher “Letterman” member; National Alzheimer’s Public Policy Scholarship; Board member and education chairman, National Alzheimer’s Association

Other Accomplishments: Developed a televised public service announcement for the Alzheimer's Association; lobbied Congress; Read Aloud and WV Literacy Corps volunteer; inducted into the $100,000 Club and awarded for exceptional customer service

Employment: Substitute teacher; fashion store supervisor; dance instructor

Family: Father owns a small business. Mother is a supervisor at a department store. She has one sister and one brother: Lori, 22, and Charlie, 20

Career Ambition: To become a teacher and education administrator in West Virginia

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss North Central Scholarship Organization

State Competition Sponsor: Miss West Virginia Scholarship Pageant, Inc., Clarksburg