Wells crowned Miss W
 

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Heart disease has been an aspect of Sally Wells’ life since the fifth grade. Now a senior at Mississippi University for Women and with a title under her belt, she looks forward to educating others about heart disease prevention.

Wells was crowned Miss W Saturday night.

“I am still in a state of shock,” she said this morning. “It’s just an honor to be able to represent The W at the Miss Mississippi pageant.”

Wells platform is the beat on heart disease: being educated and active today.

“My grandfather had heart disease. When I was in the fifth grade, he had his second open heart surgery,” she said. “He was a father figure. That’s when I realized that I could lose someone very close to me.”

Wells will continue to promote her platform by hosting health fairs. She has hosted programs in Columbus and in her hometown of Jackson.

She will represent MUW at the Miss Mississippi pageant in June.

During the talent competition on Saturday, Wells performed ballet.

Eleven other contestants also competed in evening wear, swimsuit and interview categories.

Carianne Fowler, a freshman art education major from Terry, was named first alternate. Fowler’s platform was volunteering. She performed a dance.

The second alternate slot went to Mary Grace Pellerin, a junior music therapy major from Ocean Springs. Pellerin’s platform was music therapy: prescription for physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. She gave a
vocal performance.

Third alternate was Mary Amanda Haskins, a freshman paralegal studies major from Vicksburg. Her platform was fight elderly abuse. She also performed ballet.

Michelle Dufour, a sophomore culinary arts major from Lexington, Ky., was named fourth alternate. Dufour’s platform was food for all promoting helping to feed the needy. She gave a vocal performance for the talent
competition.

Dufour also won the Martha Jo Mims Critical Issue Award. This award is given to the contestant who devotes an extraordinary amount of time and effort to developing and promoting her platform. She was presented a
plaque and $50 check to help further the community agency of her choice.

Alyssa Nelsen was voted Miss Congeniality by contestants in the pageant. She is a senior nursing major from Ridgeland. Nelsen’s platform was reaching out to children with catastrophical illnesses. She performed vocally.