Carol Coker Prepares For Miss Mississippi Title

They danced, pranced, sang and strutted for the judges to earn the crown, but in the end, it was Carol Coker who took the title and punched her ticket to Vicksburg for the Miss Mississippi pageant.

Coker, a junior musical theater major from Blue Springs, Miss., will be taking the stage at Miss Mississippi for her third year, following her newest title.

“I was in immediate shock and awe when they said my name,” Coker said. “I felt so much honor in knowing I was chosen to represent this school.”

Chandler Morgan, who is Coker’s sorority sister, says they could not have picked a better person on behalf of Ole Miss.

“Carol has continuously shown her love and support for the Ole Miss community,” Morgan said. “She has the kindest heart and the amazing morals you’d want to represent us in Miss Mississippi.”

In her previous two years of competing for the Miss Mississippi title, Coker said her goal was to do well, but especially to have fun.

“This year my goal is to win,” Coker said. “My past two years was mostly enjoying the journey while gaining some experience, but this year, I hope to really represent our university well and see what happens.”

Despite all of the excitement, Coker has a challenging road ahead and plans to spend 12 to 15 hours a week in preparation for the pageant.

Coker said she puts a lot of pressure on herself, but it only gives her more drive in working toward the title.

“I manage the stress well, but I just remind myself that it’s all about the journey, experience and what you gain from it,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s about being a mentor and a role model to girls who want to be like me one day. It keeps me going and keeps me motivated.”

She says that above all else, God and her close friends are who help her when she needs it most.

“I absolutely couldn’t do it without them,” Coker said. “They remind me that I’m making a difference not just as a girl with a crown, but as me—as Carol.”

Paula Coker, Carol’s mother, says that her selflessness is what she’s most proud of her for.

“She’s maintained her humility and gratitude, and she sacrifices her own best interest at times,” Paula said.

When it’s all over, Coker says that she’ll go back to her favorite way of celebrating the closing chapter of Miss Mississippi: ordering pizza.

“Once swimsuit is over, I’m ready,” she laughed.

The Miss Mississippi Pageant will commence in June of 2016.

Olivia Wells is a senior print journalism major at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. She can be reached at otwells@go.olemiss.edu.