MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (15th), Turner-Ford, Barnett, Dearing, DeBar, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING ABIGAIL MUSSER OF STARKVILLE UPON BEING NAMED THE "DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMAN OF MISSISSIPPI FOR 2018," AND FOR RECEIVING HONORS AT THE NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMEN COMPETITION.
WHEREAS, the Distinguished Young Woman of Starkville, Abigail Musser, was named the "Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi for 2018" during the State Competition on July 15, 2017, in Meridian, Mississippi. Lori Feng was the second consecutive Distinguished Young Woman of Starkville to win the Mississippi State Competition; and
WHEREAS, Abigail attended Starkville High School and is now a freshman at Mississippi State University majoring in Environmental Engineering. Her parents are Rima and Fred Musser; and
WHEREAS, Starkville High School graduate Abigail Musser represented Mississippi in the National Distinguished Young Women Competition in June 2018 in Mobile and placed in the Top 8. Abigail also won a preliminary Fitness Award, placing her in the Top 5 in the Fitness Division of the Competition. She also received $3,000.00 in college scholarships in addition to the $9,000.00 she received at the State and Local program; and
WHEREAS, during the National Competition, 25% of the score comes from a ten-minute interview, 25% is from Academics, 15% is from Fitness, 20% is from Talent and 15% is from Self-Expression, which is an onstage question. Abigail said the most memorable part of the experience was the Southern hospitality the volunteers showed her and the other competitors; and
WHEREAS, "A lot of my friends came to the National Competition. I really wanted to make the Top 8 so they could see me compete," Musser said. "There were 50 amazing girls there, so I was proud to make the Top 8." In 2018, Abigail traveled to Meridian to the State Distinguished Young Women program to pass her title on to Starkville's Distinguished Young Woman Lori Feng. "These are two very outstanding young women who are positive ambassadors for our city and state and will be leaders in our community in the future, and they will help build future leaders as well," Starkville Distinguished Young Women Participant's Chairman Susan Keith said; and
WHEREAS, three classes of fifth-graders at Overstreet Elementary School in Starkville got to hear a "be your best self" message when Mississippi Distinguished Young Women winner Abigail Musser gave a presentation in April 2018. Musser discussed with the students the Distinguished Young Women Scholarship message, giving examples and asking students questions on various subjects; and
WHEREAS, Distinguished Young Women is part of a National Scholarship Program that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent in young women. College scholarships are awarded at the state level and millions in college-granted scholarships are available. Abigail Musser became part of the Distinguished Young Women program as a junior in high school, and won the Distinguished Young Women of Starkville and of Mississippi before going to the National Competition; and
WHEREAS, Abigail is a very intelligent and talented young woman who is an outstanding representative for Starkville and Mississippi. Abigail is well-respected and made quite an impression at the state program for her cheerful personality and outstanding talent. She is a positive role model for the young people in our state, and it is with great pride that we join the citizens of Starkville in recognizing this special achievement by a young Mississippi citizen who has brought honor to her new university, her community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Abigail Musser of Starkville upon being named the "Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi for 2018," and extend to Abigail and her family our best wishes for success in her future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Abigail Musser and her family, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.