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SOUTHAVEN — Melody Womack has an inside
track should she need any insurance going into this fall’s Miss Mississippi
USA Pageant in Cleveland.
The 25-year-old Womack, the reigning Miss Southaven, has spent the past
several years as a commercial insurance agent. Because of the Mid-South’s
reputation as a shipping hub, she specializes in insuring commercial trucks.
Womack was first exposed to the insurance field when she enrolled at Delta
State University in Cleveland, Miss. Originally, however, she had her sights
set on a different goal.
“I first went to Delta State because of the aviation – I wanted to be a
pilot,” said Womack, a 1996 Hernando High School graduate who cheered and
played softball in high school. “But when I got in (the aviation program) I
found out most of it was classroom work and I wanted to get in the plane.”
Womack went to her advisor, who also happened to teach the insurance classes.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Womack recalled. “My advisor told me to
sign up for some of his insurance classes. He said if I didn’t like them I
could always drop them later. Now I’m selling insurance.”
In 2001 Womack earned her bachelors degree in business administration, with a
minor in insurance. But when Womack returns to Cleveland in November, it
won’t be for a class reunion or to sell any insurance.
Womack has her sights set on a crown.
“My mom never pushed me, but she put me in some pageants when I was growing
up – - Princess of Hernando and things like that,” Womack said. “But I didn’t
really start doing pageants until about two years ago, when I wanted to do
Miss Mississippi USA.”
Despite her lack of experience, Womack impressed the judges enough to be
selected in the Top 10 for 2002. She returned the following year, determined
to improve on that accomplishment.
“The first year I was Top 10, so when I went back last year I knew what it
took,” she observed. “I worked very hard and was chosen First Runner-Up.”
After being selected Miss Southaven last month, Womack has earned the right
to compete in this year’s state pageant. She’s hoping the third time’s the
charm, considering the fact that this will be her last chance.
“This will be my last year in pageants,” Womack said. “I’ll age out this
year.
“I’m going to work 100 times harder this year,” she continued. “I keep
telling myself every morning, ‘I’m going to do it.’ Of course, every other
girl down there is telling herself the same thing.”
To help her focus on the state pageant, Womack decided not to try out for
Team Xplosion, the dance squad for the arena football league 2’s Memphis
Xplorers.
“I danced for the arena football team for two years,” she explained. “It was
a lot of fun, but now I just don’t have the time for it.”
Considered by experts around the state to be a favorite to win the state
title, Womack said she would like to continue her pageant ties even after she
ages out this year.
“I hope to eventually open a pageant shop,” she noted. “I’d like to coach
other girls.”
To prepare for this year’s pageant, Womack has embarked on a regimented
workout program designed for her mind and body. She runs every morning before
work, and takes advantage of the gym located in the same building as her
insurance office. Womack also has people send her questions to help her
prepare for the pageant.
“I’m not a ‘Pageant Patty,’” Womack smiled, “but I like being on stage and I
like entertaining.
“I’m very competitive,” she added. “You have to believe in yourself.”
In addition to a large contingent of family and friends who are behind her,
Womack also has one other very special supporter – her boyfriend.
“He’s very supportive,” Womack smiled. “He doesn’t mind me being in the
pageants – in fact, he’d probably like to be able to say that his girlfriend
is Miss Mississippi USA.”
Jamie Mercer/Times News Staff
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