Miss University Sets Her Sights On A Higher Prize

Leah Gibson was crowned Miss University 2017 at the 68th Annual Miss University Scholarship Pageant a few weeks ago. In spite of the adversity she faced, Gibson put in the effort to come out on top.

Gibson participated in the Miss University Pageant a few years ago, but she did not place the first time.

“When I didn’t run it was a driving force for me to come back stronger, work ten times harder, and really prove to myself I could do it,” Gibson said. “It was one of those situations where I knew I would be inspiring other people, but more importantly, I wanted to inspire myself.”

She said it was discouraging to put her heart into something and not come out with the win because it made her question her abilities, talents and strengths.

“I knew that wasn’t the case because my faith doesn’t allow me to believe that I’m not capable of doing things,” Gibson said. “I really put my mind to it, I focused, and when I did win, it felt unreal.”

Gibson aspires to be Miss Mississippi in the future, and she felt like running for Miss University would be the right step in that direction.

“To me that would be the most important title because I’ve put so much time and so much effort into giving back to my community,” Gibson said. “I felt like Miss University was the perfect title for me because it was another way that I could be of service to my campus.”

Gibson said she is glad to know that as a woman of color she inspires many people regardless of what they look like.

“Being a part of a pageant allows you to connect with people who look like you and don’t look like you, but for the people who look like you, it gives them hope,” Gibson said. “Even for little girls who don’t want to be beauty queens, seeing me gives them hope. It shows them that things are possible.”

Gibson said she has a lot of women in her life who inspire her in different ways, such as her mom, Tamara Gibson. She encourages her daughter to always do her best and to have confidence in herself. When Gibson won the title, Tamara said she was very proud of her.

“I was ecstatic and just really happy for her. I knew how much she wanted it because she loves Ole Miss,” Tamara said. “I was glad she gets to represent the university.”

Gibson was surrounded by other family members and friends who were rooting for her. Miss Ole Miss, Acacia Santos, was also in attendance at the pageant. She was happy with the results as well.

“The only thoughts running through my head the night Leah won were, ‘My friend won! I can’t believe I actually know this amazing lady,'” Santos said.

Santos also shared some encouraging words for Gibson being that they both hold similar positions; they are both advocates for service and both encourage ideals of being yourself.

“The only advice I have for her is to keep being herself. She’s always been so encouraging and honest,” Santos said. “Being a positive role model is second nature for her; she doesn’t have to think about it, she just is.”

Gibson also spoke about her platform Drive Smart. It is an initiative to promote safe driving.

“Distracted driving was a big deal when I started this platform, and it’s still a big deal. Highway traffic crashes are still the number one killer of teens in the US,” Gibson said. “That’s just something I’ve devoted my life to and that I want to raise awareness about.”

She has a lot of hard work ahead but Gibson said she is ready for the challenges.

“I’m just excited to continue my journey,” Gibson said. “I want people to contribute to whatever they see me doing, and I hope they are willing to help because everything I do is for this university, for our community, for our state and, eventually, for the nation. I just hope that people are as excited as I am to make a difference and become change agents with me.”

By Alicia Crane, a student of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. She can be reached at ajcrane@go.olemiss.edu.