Mississippi Plus America
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Plus-Sized Pageant & Empowerment Platform
A preliminary to the National Miss Plus America Pageant
LeMaudia
Strahan
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Ridgeland Plus America
Location:
Ridgeland, Mississippi
Service Platform:
Bullying
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ABOUT ME
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“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.”
I am LeMaudia Marie Strahan and I am honored to represent my great city as Miss Ridgeland Plus America. My hobbies include sewing, bowling, and singing.
Having graduated from Ridgeland High School in 2011, I have a great love for this community. In high school, I had the great privilege to sing in the award winning choir with which I sang at Carnegie Hall in New York; I was also honored to compete in Speech and Debate. After high school, I attended Jackson State University before transferring to Mississippi College. I thought a big university like JSU would be a great change of pace for me, but I realized that I’m just a small town girl! My time at Mississippi College was the greatest experience I have ever had. Through ups and downs, I was able to truly get to know myself and authentically love the person God created me to be. During my time at Mississippi College, I majored in Psychology and minored in Theatre. Theatre has always played a major part in my life, from acting in plays in grade school to co-directing Our Town by Thornton Wilder at Mississippi College. Also at Mississippi College, I was involved in the Kissimmee Social Tribe. Upon earning my bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I reenrolled to pursue a graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling.
In addition to being a student, I am also a preschool teacher at a local church in my community. If someone told me 10 years ago that I’d teach preschoolers, I would have thought they were playing a joke on me. I never envisioned myself a teacher, but God saw fit for me to help mold the young minds of my community; being a preschool teacher has been the greatest joy of my life. I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to go to work everyday and see the smiling faces of 4 year olds who are eager to learn! I also occasionally provide childcare on Sunday mornings at First Ridgeland.
As your Miss Ridgeland Plus America, I pray that this journey to Mississippi Plus America allows me the privilege to truly make a difference. I am excited and proud to be a part of the class of women competing in the Mississippi Plus America pageant. I welcome you to join me on this journey!
WHY I CHOSE MY PLATFORM
Growing up, I was a victim of bullying. Throughout my school years, being bullied became almost normal for me. The trauma created vast levels of anxiety and depression. So often, my parents and I would report the bullying; we were often met with the response of “kids will be kids”.
Unbeknownst to my parents, I contemplated suicide for the first time at the age of twelve. I believed it to be the only way to escape the horrors that had become middle school. Thankfully, after seeing the signs, my mom scheduled a meeting for me with the the school counselor who provided me with the knowledge and skills to cope. Moving forward, I was able to receive therapy due to the great efforts of all the moving parts that were my middle school and my parents.
It is my goal to prevent bullying in schools and advocate for victims of bullying since I have been a victim of bullying, anxiety, and depression, myself. As I continue to strive for greatness by earning my second degree, I look forward to giving back to my community in efforts to create a safe and welcoming environment for children in schools everywhere.
My Pageant Experience
View photos that document my pageant journey & service in the community!
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