Welcome from Directors
The Miss Mississippi Pageant is one of the most respected and prestigious pag-
eants in the Miss America System. It is filled with tremendous tradition … four of the
state winners have gone on to become Miss America.
Since its inception, The Miss Mississippi pageant has been the recipient of more
scholarship dollars than any other state associated with The Miss America Program.
The Miss Mississippi local and state pageants offered over a million dollars in college
and cash scholarships. Additional tuition scholarships were provided by Colleges and
Universities.
Thanks to the many volunteers and scholarship patrons, who support The Leaf
Foundation. Our local Miss America preliminary pageant would not be possible
Michael Marks without your help.
CEO Leaf Foundation
michaelmarks224@gmail.com
The promise of America‟s youth is showcased locally in The Miss Leaf River
Valley/Miss Riverland Scholarship Pageant. As the elected leader of local pageant
directors from across the state, I beam with pride in knowing that The Miss Mississippi
Pageant Local Pageant Directors Association is a part of making dreams and careers
come true for young women in Mississippi.
Our Miss Riverland 2009 Diana Strickland, who narrowly missed The Top Ten and
received the MMLPDA Scholarship this year for placing 11 th in state competition, is
indicative of that promise.
Turn on the lights. Steady the camera. Get ready for action. Enjoy the 2010 Tracy Robinson, President
edition of our show! Miss Mississippi Local Pageant
Directors Association
Tracyrobinson45@gmail.com
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Iris Raeshun
(Covington County)
Michael Marks Greg Bullock
(Forrest County) Savannah Richards
(Forrest County)
(Lamar County)
Chair of the Board
Amy Lott Cochran
Jeanna M. Runnels
Susan Slaughter (Perry County)
(Forrest County)
(Forrest County)
Vice-Chair of the Board Diane Garner
Stephanie Slay
(Lamar County)
(Lamar County)
Tracy Robinson
(Lamar County) Natalie Goldman-Maddox
Jennifer Steele
Secretary-Treasurer (Lauderdale County)
(Rankin County)
of the Board
Glenda Meadows Grubbs
Diana Strickland
Rebecca Bullock (Lamar County)
(Jackson County)
(Perry County) Miss Mississippi „72
Vicki Daughdrill Jennifer McNeal Jewel Tucker
(Lamar County) (Greene County) (Forrest County)
Mackenzie Westmoreland Jennifer Odom-Townsend LEGAL COUNSEL
(Greene County) (Forrest County) Michael J. Shemper
Carroll D. Pierce
(Covington County)
“LIGHTS, CAMERA …. ACTION”
PRE SHOW MUSIC------------ Hattiesburg High School Jazz Band
“Strike A Pose” ---------- ON YOUR TOES STUDIO DANCERS
Introduction of Emcee -------- Susan Slaughter
Introduction of Contestants
Introduction of Judges and Tabulators
“What I Did for Love” ------------------- Riverland‟s Outstanding Teen Ivey Swan
“Tahitian Dance” ------------------ Miss Riverland Diana Strickland
ACTIVE WEAR COMPETITION (TEEN)
SWIMSUIT COMPETITION (MISS)
TALENT COMPETITION (TEEN)
TALENT COMPETITION (MISS)
EVENING WEAR COMPETITION (TEEN)
EVENING WEAR COMPETITION (MISS)
“This Is the Moment” -------- Leaf River Valley‟s Outstanding Teen Kate Dearman
“Everything” -----------------Riverland‟s Outstanding Teen Ivey Swan
“CHIC” ----- ON YOUR TOES STUDIO DANCERS
“O Mio Babbino Cara” -------- Leaf River Valley‟s Outstanding Teen Kate Dearman
FAREWELLS ------------ OT RIVERLAND, OT LRV, MISS RIVERLAND
“G.O.O.D.” --------- ON YOUR TOES DANCERS, CONTESTANTS, ENTIRE CAST
PRESENTATION OF VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
PRESENTATION OF TEEN WINNERS (Crowning)
PRESENTATION OF MISS WINNERS (Preliminary Winners, Alternates, Crowning)
POST SHOW MUSIC ----------------- Hattiesburg High School Jazz Band
PANEL OF JUDGES
M
iles Doleac holds a BFA in Theatre from the North Carolina School of the
Arts, an MA in Ancient History from the University of Southern Mississippi
and is a PhD candidate at Tulane University, where he has taught courses
in Latin, Greek and Roman History and the Early Church. As an actor and
producer, Miles worked professionally in New York and Los Angeles in television (All
My Children, Days of Our Lives), film (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) and in
numerous theatrical productions (including 1918 at New York‟s Flatiron Theatre and
Julius Caesar at the Lillian Theatre in Los Angeles). As an historian, he was, most
recently, a 2008 summer research fellow at the celebrated American School of
Classical Studies in Athens, Greece, a presenter at the Louisiana Consortium of
Medieval and Renaissance Scholars 2008, a subvention winner at the Association of
Miles Doleac Ancient Historians‟ Annual Meeting 2008 and a participant in the Goethe Institute‟s
Intensive Summer Language Program in Munich, Germany 2007. Miles maintains
professional memberships in Screen Actors Guild, Actor‟s Equity Association, the
Archaeological Institute of America, the Association of Ancient Historians, the Society
of Biblical Literature, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and Phi Alpha Theta
History Honor Society. A 1994 graduate of Hattiesburg High School, Miles currently
resides in New Orleans with his wife, Rebecca, and their four dogs.
M
elinda Courtney is a native of Laurel, MS and graduate of the University
of Southern Mississippi where she received a degree in Radio, Television
& Film. She has been involved in the pageant system for years as a
contestant as well as a judge. She was crowned Miss Hattiesburg 1987
and was the winner of many talent competitions and pageants over the years. For
several years, she taught “Image Makers”, a program to boost self-esteem and
educate against risky behaviors, in the Rankin County School District. As a stay-at-
home mom, she has dedicated much of her time to volunteering in the Metro area
with the Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County, Rankin County Heart Association, Rankin
Health Foundation and The Cancer League of Jackson. In her free time she enjoys
Melinda Courtney photography, cooking, event planning, writing, decorating and traveling. Melinda
resides in Brandon, MS with her husband Mark and two children.
F
rank Farmer lives in Jackson, Mississippi with his wife and daughter and
is active in both his profession and his community. He practices law
with the Young Williams, P.C. and also serves on the Board of Directors
for the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project where he serves as
Treasurer. Mr. Farmer has also served the Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation International in a numerous capacities, including
President of the Mississippi Chapter's Board of Directors. He is active in a variety
of ministries at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral and has served on variety of
committees for the Mississippi Bar Association. He has also served as Alumni
Secretary to the Provence Theta Counsel of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraterni-
ty. He is a graduate of Hattiesburg High School, Rhodes College and Mississippi Frank Farmer
College School of Law and is happy to return to the Hub-City for this event.
Tabulators are Mike Spurgeon and Judd Trimble of The Miss Metro Jackson/Miss Heartland/
Miss Mid-South Scholarship Pageants
W
ayne Simpkins comes to us from New York City and is currently
working at Duke Corporate Education after spending 10 years in
the world of advertising. Wayne received a Masters degree in
Theater from the University of Tennessee and welcomes and
excuse to return to his roots in the south.
Wayne Simpkins
B
rett A. Steele is a native of Richton, Mississippi and a graduate of Perry
Central High School. At Perry Central, Brett led the speech and debate
team to four consecutive state championships, was a member of the
nationally acclaimed song and dance group, The Encores, and per-
formed in numerous musical productions, including The Wiz, Annie Get Your Gun,
Mame and Grease.
Brett attended Huntingdon College on an academic scholarship, and was an
honors graduate with degrees in English and History. While at Huntingdon, Brett
performed in college theatre productions, played on the baseball team, was
named the Williams Memorial Outstanding Freshman and was crowned Mr.
Huntingdon.
Brett A. Steele After college, Brett graduated cum laude from Mercer University Schoool of
Law, where he was on the National Moot Court Board and served as Editor-In-
Chief of the Mercer Law Review.
Brett now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where he is corporate counsel to Beazer
Homes, a top ten national homebuilder. He has three wonderful daughters, Bree
(16), Ameila (12) and Bailee (9), who make sure Brett has a full schedule.
Parrish Harvey Ryan Henry Lauryn Lee
Hometown: Flora Hometown: Hattiesburg Hometown: Tupelo
Talent: Musical Talent: Musical Comedy Talent: Vocal
Characterization Oak Grove H.S. Tupelo H.S.
Jackson Education Center
Christina Bostick Kayleigh Henry Landan Garner
Hometown: Hattiesburg Hometown: Hattiesburg Hometown: Hattiesburg
Talent: Dance Talent: Piano Talent: Sing
Oak Grove H.S. Oak Grove M.S. Oak Grove M.S.
Tori Merrill Caroline Conerly Paromita Mitra
Hometown: Runnelstown Hometown: Hattiesburg Hometown: Hattiesburg
Talent: Gymnastics Talent: Vocal Talent: Classical Piano
Perry Central H.S. Ole Miss Mississippi State
(LRV/RL) (LRV/RL) (LRV/RL)
Regan Lightsey Jasmine Carter Jessica Cofield
Hometown: Petal Hometown: Jackson Hometown: Wiggins
Talent: Vocal Talent: Lyrical Dance Talent: Classical Singing
Ole Miss Ole Miss William Carey University
(LRV/RL) (RL) (RL)
Amarette Aube Ashley Wieronski Mary Vaughn Katherine Barkett
Hometown: Seminary Hometown: Southaven Hometown: Hometown: Flowood
Talent: Saxophone Solo Talent: Vocal Clarksdale Talent: Vocal
Ole Miss Univ of Alabama Talent: Piano Ole Miss
(LRV/RL) (RL) Southern Miss (RL)
Southern Miss
(LRV/RL)
Miss Leaf River Valley/Miss Riverland Scholarship Foundation
These in-kind scholarships are available to both Miss Leaf River Valley and Miss
Riverland by our College and University partners:
$3176 Jones County Junior College
$3040 Pearl River Community College
$2000 William Carey University
$1200 Delta State University
$1000 Jackson State University
$500 University of Southern Mississippi
These in-kind scholarships are available to First and Second Alternates:
$800 William Carey University
Other cash scholarships may be awarded to contestants in a given year, depend-
ing on salute page participation, ad sales, and foundation donor contributions.
In-kind scholarships listed above are offered for one academic year and can only
be used by fulltime students during the regular academic school year.
Thanks to these Leaf Foundation Sponsors for their in-kind contributions:
University Florist— Leaf River Valley/Riverland and Outstanding Teen
Flowers
Southland Florist—Lady of the Leaf Flowers
Michael J. Shemper—Legal Counsel
TropiTanna Salon—Year of free tanning to winners
Wolfe Gang Music—Stage Piano
Frames and Panes— $50 Gift Certificates to the Outstanding Teen winners
ROYALTY OF THE PAST
YEAR WINNER TALENT CITY LOCAL STATE
Miss Leaf River Valley
2005 Natalie Goldman Lyrical Ballet Hattiesburg 1, 2 1,3
2006 Diana Strickland Classical Ballet Hattiesburg 1, 2
2007 Natalie Goldman Lyrical Ballet Hattiesburg 1, 2 1,2,4,5
2008 Amarette Aube Classical Piano Seminary 2
2009 Jessica Cofield Classical Singing Wiggins 4
Leaf River Valley’s Outstanding Teen East
2005 Danielle Taylor Vocal Leakesville 2
2006 Dalee Kimble Vocal Leakesville 2
2007 Toran Dean Vocal Hattiesburg 4
2008 Amanda Emerson Dance Sumrall
2009 Kate Dearman Vocal Hattiesburg 2 4
Leaf River Valley’s Outstanding Teen West
2005 April Van Cleve Ballet en Pointe Poplarville 2,6
2006 Brooklee Lightsey Jazz dance Petal
2007 Paromita Mitra Bengali Dance Oak Grove 1,2,6
2008 Noel Anderson Vocal Oak Grove 1, 2
2009 Ryan Henry Vocal Hattiesburg 1 4
Miss Riverland
1999 Keri Miller
2000 Jeanna M. Runnels Vocal Petal 3
2009 Diana Strickland Dance Hattiesburg 1 1
Riverland’s Outstanding Teen
2009 Ivey Swan Vocal Hattiesburg
Local and State Awards Index
1. Swimsuit/Active Wear Preliminary Winner
2. Talent Preliminary Winner
3. Non-Finalist Talent Winner
4. Top Ten Finalist
5. Second Alternate to State Title Holder
6. Casual Wear Preliminary Winner
Carroll D. Pierce, D.M.D
113 Main Street
P.O. Box 153
Seminary, MS 39479
601.722.9999
619 W. Hill Street
Ellisville, MS 39437
601.477.9400
Office Hours by Appointment
Official Dentist of Miss Leaf River Valley and Miss Riverland
Michael J. Shemper, PLLC
Attorney At Law
119 Hardy Street
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Mailing Address: Telephone: 601.545.7787
Post Office 1727 FAX: 601.582.8732
Hattiesburg, MS 39403-1727 Email: mjshemper@megagate.com
proudly serving as
Legal Counsel to The Leaf Foundation
601-520-2666 Michael Marks
917-532-1704 Mackenzie Westmoreland
Official Interview and Talent Coaches of Miss Leaf River Valley and Leaf River Valley’s
Outstanding Teen — Miss Riverland and Riverland’s Outstanding Teen
Official Florist of Miss Leaf River Valley and Miss Riverland
Larry and Paulette LeBlanc
200 St. Paul Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601.584.7541
Official Florist for Lady of the Leaf Competition
“The Original Tanning Salon for Reliable Tanning”
601.544.0731 Suite 2, 1715 Hardy Street
Hattiesburg, MS
Official Tanning Salon of Miss LRV and Miss Riverland
LEAF FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award was established to honor volunteers who have contributed to the
quality of life in the five counties, touched by The Leaf River and served by our
official Miss America preliminary pageants:
Covington, Forrest, Greene, Lamar, and Perry Counties in Southeast Mississippi.
RECIPIENTS
2005 Michael Marks/National Education Association (Forrest County)
2006 Raphael Scott Waldrop/Hattiesburg High School Forensics
(Forrest County)
2007 Brett and Deanna Favre/Favre Foundation (Lamar County)
2008 Steve McNair and Family (Covington County)
2009 Wes Rouse/BancorpSouth (Lamar County)
2010 Rebecca Bullock (Perry County)
Rebecca Bullock
Proud to cater the Leaf Foundation’s
Annual Staff Luncheon
2300 Hardy Street,
Hattiesburg, MS 393401
Phone: (601) 545-1876
Fax: (601) 545-1895
hattiesburg@mcalistersdeli.com
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Producer ............................................................................ Rebecca Bullock
Facilities ............................................................................. Thames Elementary
Carrie Hornsby, Principal
Sound ................................................................................ Toast-N-Jam Productions
Spotlight ............................................................................. HHS Forensics/
Scott Waldrop
Program and Ticket Sales ................................................. Martha Dearman
Judges ............................................................................... Mackenzie Westmoreland,
Carroll Pierce
Dancers ............................................................................. Annaleigh Buckley
Conner Coats, Callie Farris,
Hannah Ivey, Sydney Jolly
Emily Matherne, Julia Moreno
Rachael Perkins, Amanda Rich
Katherine Robbins
Bailey Thompson
Hannah Townsend
Instrumentalists ................................................................. HHS Jazz Band/
Scott R. Johnson, Director
Nicholaus Panella
Jarrett Robert
Jeremy Waters
Angel Contribution ............................................................. Adcock Pools & Spa
Judges Breakfast ................................................................ Krispy Kreme & Ward‟s
Judges Luncheon .............................................................. Qdoba Mexico Grill
Judges Dinner ................................................................... El Mexteco
Annual Foundation Staff Luncheon .................................... McAlister's Deli
Tech Crew ......................................................................... Tori Merrill, Aaron Bullock,
Stacy Townsend
Flowers .............................................................................. University Florist,
Southland Florist
Contestant Choreography ................................................. Natalie Goldman-Maddox
Printed Program ................................................................ Travis Exploration
Set ..................................................................................... Ralph Abraham, Jr.
Dressing Rooms ................................................................ Diane Garner,
Lauren Hillman, Lorraine Rehig
Stage Piano ....................................................................... Wolfe Gang Music
Tabulators .......................................................................... Mike Spurgeon,
Judd Trimble
Contestant Chair and Judges Notebooks .......................... Susan Slaughter
Production Numbers .......................................................... Jennifer Odom-Townsend
and On Your Toes Dance Studio
Local Fundraising .............................................................. Vicki Daughdrill
Graphics and Web Designer ............................................. Vanessa Bouie
Videography ....................................................................... Randall Williams
Congratulates Two Representatives of the Class of 2011
Ivey Swan, Riverland’s Outstanding Teen
Kate Dearman, Leaf River Valley’s Outstanding
OUR EXCEPTIONAL LADIES OF THE LEAF!
Frames and Panes
Custom Picture Framing
& Stained Glass Studio
3416 Hardy St. Ste.100
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
601-268-6964
Proud to present $50 gift certificates
to the teen winners.
Computer Systems & Technology, Inc.
Khosrow Rowe Palhang
President
205A South 40th Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Phone: 601.268.8873
Fax: 601.268.8832
Email: cst-kp@netdoor.com
PINE BELT TROPHY and AWARDS
905 Hardy Street, Suite 104
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 58- AWARD
(582-9273)
FAX: (601) 582-9277
JIMMY MOORE - Owner
Good Luck, Christina!!
Christina Bostick
We Love You,
Mom, Dad & Katie
Want To Volunteer
and Don’t Know How?
ASK RYAN!!
Partnering with the American Humane
Society for the prevention of animal cruelty.
ask.ryan@comcast.net
askryanhenry.com
Best Wishes to
Kayleigh Henry
Compliments of
Southern Property and Management, LLC
“vacation Property Management and Rentals”
Break a leg Parrish!!!
Parrish Harvey
From your friends in
Madison County
3705 Hardy Street, Ste. 10
Phone: 601.450.4822
FAX: 601.450.0403
Proud sponsors of the 2010 Judges Luncheon
3720 Hardy Street, Ste 6
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Phone: 601.2642393
Fax: 601.264.2346
www.cicispizza.com
6058 Highway 49
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601.545.7593
Fax: 601.545.1037
Www.jodysbakery.com
CONESTOGA STEAK HOUSE
“Great steaks are not a thing of the past . . .
Our recipe makes the difference.”
Chester B. Smith, Jr.
General Manager
chester@conestogasteakhouse.com
Armaud Banks
Kitchen Manager
armaund@conestogasteakhouse.com
Michael R. Deviney, Jr.
Banqueting& Catering Manager
Michael@conestogasteakhous.com
6313 U.S. Hwy 49 North
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Phone: 601.264.8816
Fax: 601.264.8810
Web: conestogasteakhouse.com
EYE CENTERS OF HATTIESBURG
Ted Harden JR, O.D.
Optometrist
5901 US HWY 49
Wal-Mart Supercenter
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Phone: 601.268.6698
6 AM: Mexican Breakfast
11-2 pm: Buffet
After 2: Mexican Menu
3317 Hardy Street
Hattiesburg, MS
Hosting the Leaf Foundation in
fine style!!
Proud to provide breakfast for Miss LRV/RL
Judges
Cloverleaf location
Best Wishes Landan!
From
The WARRIOR TRIBE!
Congratulations to our 2009
Scholarship Winners
Miss Leaf River Valley Miss Riverland Diana Strickland
Jessica Cofield Overall Swimsuit Winner
Top Ten, Miss Mississippi Miss Mississippi
Leaf River Valley’s Outstanding Teen-East Kate Dearman
Top Ten, Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen
Riverland’s Outstanding Leaf River Valley’s Outstanding
Teen Ivey Swan Teen-West Ryan Henry
Top Ten, Miss Mississippi’s
Outstanding Teen