House Concurrent Resolution 82

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MARIE ELIZABETH WICKS OF OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, UPON BEING CROWNED MISS MISSISSIPPI 2012.

WHEREAS, Marie Elizabeth Wicks, 23, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, a beautiful young lady, was crowned Miss Mississippi 2012 on Saturday, June 30, 2012, at the Vicksburg Convention Center, capturing the highly pursued No. 1 spot sought after by a field of 42 girls who competed for the coveted title to represent Mississippi in the Miss America Pageant; and

WHEREAS, while at the state competition, Marie was honored to not only take home the title of Miss Mississippi but also the Overall Community Service Award and over $10,000.00 in cash scholarships to accompany her crown and title; and

WHEREAS, as Miss Mississippi, Marie represented the State of Mississippi in the 2013 Miss America Pageant which was held in Las Vegas in January 2013, and was recognized among the 53 representatives by being named as a Top 7 Quality of Life Community Service Finalist, a nonfinalist talent winner and a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Medal recipient; and

WHEREAS, the daughter of Thomas and Caroline Wicks of Ocean Springs, Marie is a 2007 graduate of Ocean Springs High School where she was valedictorian, and a 2012 alumnus of the University of Mississippi, with a bachelor's degree in international studies and French with a minor in chemistry, and she aspires to attend medical school and pursue a career in ophthalmology; and

WHEREAS, her collegiate academic honors at the University of Mississippi include: the Sally McDonnell-Barksdale Honors College, Magna Cum Laude Honors Graduate, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Newman Scholar, Croft Institute Scholar, Ole Miss Hall of Fame and numerous others; and

WHEREAS, Marie is an advocate for proper vision health by sharing her platform, "EyeS.T.A.R. — Eyesight to all Regions," and she has spent the last several years working closely with Lions Clubs across Mississippi to provide vision screenings, proper eyewear and vision education to children and adults; and

WHEREAS, a founding member of the University of Mississippi Lions Club and having served as the club's president for two terms, Marie has organized 11 free vision screenings, raised funds through three White Cane Drives, and has laid down textured tape at a local elementary school to aid vision-impaired students, as well as having conducted eye health presentations for children and adults across Mississippi and authored and illustrated a children's book entitled, Myope, as an aid in her instruction to children on proper vision health; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her work with EyeS.T.A.R., Marie has spent her year of service as Miss Mississippi serving as Mississippi's Goodwill Ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network, volunteering, visiting and raising money for Mississippi's Children's Miracle Network Hospital and the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to acknowledge those achieving excellence, and it is only fitting that we bring special recognition to Marie Elizabeth Wicks, a lovely, talented young lady who, as Miss Mississippi 2012, is a source of great honor and pride to her family, community, and the entire State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Marie Elizabeth Wicks upon being crowned Miss Mississippi 2012 and extend sincerest wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Marie Elizabeth Wicks and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.