Crowning Excellence: Announcing Miss PRCC and Miss Pearl River County 2025
Laura O'Neill - PRCC Marketing
POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Under the spotlight at the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts, seven extraordinary ladies showcased their talents and ambitions, competing for the coveted titles of Miss PRCC and Miss Pearl River County on November 14. Melany Carrasco was crowned Miss PRCC 2025 and Baylee Albritton was crowned Miss Pearl River County 2025.
Melany Carrasco - Miss PRCC 2025
Baylee Albritton - Miss Pearl River County 2025
Charity Magee was selected as the first alternate and winner of the talent competition. Claire Wascom was chosen as the second alternate. Carrasco won the interview competition. Albritton was recognized for the most ad sales and was voted Miss Congeniality by her peers. Sheridan Shoemo was recognized for her excellence at the week-long social media challenge.
PRCC’s Director of Marketing & Recruitment, Dr. Kari Eve Valence, served as master of ceremonies. Valence shared a brief history of the Miss America competition, including the shift to a scholarship program in the 1940s. The winner of the Miss PRCC competition receives a full-tuition scholarship. The winner of the new Miss Pearl River County receives a half-tuition scholarship. New this year is a $1,000 scholarship for both ladies to William Carey University.
Judges for this year’s competition included Mrs. Chelsea Maywalt of Pearl River County, Mr. Austin Allen Perkins of Ellisville, Mrs. Jessica Cofield Openshaw of Ocean Springs, Mr. Kendale Lumpkins of Columbia, and Mrs. Jessie Besanson Lewis of Ocean Springs.
The evening’s theme of “Write Your Own Stories” provided a backdrop for the candidates to demonstrate poise and talent while echoing PRCC’s theme for the year, “My Story Starts Here.” Candidates were evaluated in five categories: a private interview held earlier in the afternoon, an on-stage interview, lifestyle and fitness, poise during the evening gown segment, and their talent.
Adding to the evening’s excitement, Sunni’s Elite Dance Academy of Poplarville performed several dance routines, featuring their talented teams and future competitors for Miss PRCC and Miss Pearl River County. Miss PRCC 2024 Kassidy McMahon kicked off the talent competition singing “Time to Say Goodbye” by Sarah Brettin, her talent from last year. Before the evening gown competition, McMahon delivered a heartfelt message sharing her experience as Miss PRCC and expressing her gratitude for all who supported her during the past year.
“I have met so many incredible people in the last year, making friendships that will last a lifetime,” said McMahon. “I want to thank my friends and family for supporting me along this journey.”
Before presenting the winners of Miss PRCC and Miss Pearl River County, the audience was introduced to four crowns for ladies between the ages of 14 and 18 who are aspiring to grow even more to make a change in their communities. Miss Magnolia Coast Teen Cambree Cumbest, Miss Ocean Springs Teen Sarah Catherine Graham, Miss Pearl River County Teen Megan Wade, and Miss Poplarville Teen Kyla Pohlmann will attend the Miss Mississippi Orientation in February and compete in the Miss Mississippi Teen Competition in April.
In addition to the scholarships awarded to Miss PRCC and Miss Pearl River County, the winners will receive wardrobe and accessories to wear at Miss Mississippi next June, sponsored by our wonderful and amazing sponsors: Apple’s Ltd. In Poplarville, Coral Cactus Boutique online in Hattiesburg, Delta Dawn Gifts in Poplarville, and Posh Boutique in Poplarville. Justin Daniels Photography is the new official photography sponsor, providing the winners with headshots. Soap de Joli from Picayune has Miss PRCC and Miss Pearl River County soaps with a portion of sales going to the titleholders as a cash scholarship. Each winner also receives their $400 production fee covered as well as $750 cash towards her competition at Miss Mississippi.
“This year, we have seven young women competing who have the kindest hearts and want to make a difference in their various areas of community service,” said Director of Miss PRCC and Miss Pearl River County Lauren Baker. “We are excited about our new Miss PRCC and Miss Pearl River County! I am, personally, looking forward to working with them as they continue on to Miss Mississippi next June in Vicksburg.
“Also, I must give a huge thank you to the wonderful committee of ladies who help put on this opportunity each year with me for each of these girls as well. Thank you for being a wonderful village!”
THE CANDIDATES
Baylee Albritton of Picayune aspires to become a pediatrician. Her social impact is called “The Harmony Inclusion Project” where she focuses on creating a more inclusive community for individuals with mental and physical disabilities, inspired by her two younger siblings who are on the autism spectrum. She performed her own rendition of "Think" by Aretha Franklin.
Melany Carrasco of Pascagoula is pursuing an integrated marketing communications degree with the goal of being a journalist or public relations manager in the sports or entertainment industries. She sang the Glee Version of “Stand by You” by the Pretenders for her talent. Her social impact, “With Open Arms,” is dedicated to mental health awareness.
Bella Guajardo of Brooklyn selected Mustard Seed Faith Women’s Ministries as her social impact. For her talent, she sang “Praying Woman” by Anne Wilson and Lainey Wilson. She is studying to become a physical therapy assistant specializing in pediatrics.
Hannah Jackson of Pearlington is studying for her surgical technology degree. Her social impact is called “Pearl River Says Stay Another Day,” with a focus on suicide awareness. For her talent, Jackson performed a dance routine to the song “Land of 1000 Dances.”
Charity Magee of Gulfport is currently a marketing major with a desire to work in sports media. For her social impact, Magee is focused on ensuring the Empowerment Ministries Food Pantry at her church remains stocked. She sang “Never Enough” by Lored Allred for her talent.
Sheridan Shoemo of Columbia chose Brothers Keeper Ministries, which helps people with food insecurity, as her social impact initiative. Her talent was spoken word with the recitation of “I Worried” by Mary Oliver. She is currently a nursing major with plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and ultimately work in respiratory care.
Claire Wascom of Bogalusa, Louisiana, is majoring in elementary education and plans to pursue a master's degree in education administration. She sang “Thank you Jesus for the Blood” as her Talent. Her social impact focused on “Hearts and Hands for Seniors” where she aims to provide companionship, care, and emotional support to elderly patients in nursing homes.
The newly crowned Miss PRCC and Miss Pearl River County will begin their reigns immediately and will represent Pearl River at the Miss Mississippi Competition in Vicksburg in June. Miss PRCC and Miss Pearl River County are preliminary competitions to the Miss Mississippi and Miss America scholarship programs.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), and Facebook (@PRCCMKTG).
