9/2/2009 6:01:00 PM Pageant winner also an athlete Miss Neshoba County begins senior year at Union High
By LEAH TOLBERT Staff Reporter
The mother of the newly crowned Miss Neshoba County describes her daughter as more of an athlete than a pageant girl.
Kayla Elizabeth Bates, 17, began her senior year at Union High School earlier this month, but the excitement of winning the crown at the Fair remains.
Voted Miss Congeniality by the other 10 contestants in the Miss Neshoba County pageant, she also won the Most Photogenic and Best Fairwear awards.
Those honors came as no surprise to many who know Bates, as she is known for her generosity. She gave away most of her clothes to the less fortunate while on a recent medical mission trip to Trujillo, Peru.
Bates is the daughter of Jimmy and Susan Bates. Her grandparents are Mrs. Sue Nell Bates, Rayford and Janice Williamson of Philadelphia and the late Nina Williamson and Willie Paul Bates.
Kayla Bates was shocked when she was announced as the winner.
"I don't even remember doing the pageant," she said. "It was such a blur! I was just like 'Oh my goodness! I can't believe this just happened!'"
Bates said she was pleasantly surprised when the pageant ended and the crowd rushed to the stage to congratulate her and all the girls. She could not believe she had so many supporters cheering her on.
Growing up at the Fair Bates watched the pageant every year and always tried to imitate the contestants. Becoming Miss Neshoba County was a childhood dream come true.
Leading up the Fair, Susan said her daughter only participated in three pageants, two of which she won: her eighth grade Union Middle School Beauty Review, which she won with a fractured ankle and cast, and the 2009 Queen of Hearts in the 16 - 18 division.
Bates is more of an athlete or gamer than a pageant girl, her mother said. Her coaches refer to her as "Primetime" because when it was game time, she would go all out no matter the athletic event.
The night she was crowned, Bates was handed a scholarship, a check and a schedule. She was asked to participate in all formal Fair events like the cake walk, Hometown Proud, the talent show, veteran's memorial program, college day, the presentation of trophies at the horse races and hospitality cabins.
Despite all those responsibilities, Bates continued to go out with friends nearly every night of the Fair, including dancing to band music under the pavilion. However, she woke up each morning at 8 a.m. to fulfill her new duties as 2009 Miss Neshoba County that did not end for her until 8 p.m.
By the end of the Fair, Bates said she was exhausted, but happy that she was able to enjoy other Fair activities with her friends.
While she has held the title for only about three weeks, Bates has already met people that she found to be highly impressive including Gov. Haley Barbour and the 2009 Choctaw Indian Princess Famie Cheyenne Willis.
While she thought Barbour to be wonderful, she could not stop talking about how extremely taken she was with the Choctaw Indian Princess. She said Willis really opened her eyes to the unique cultures and traditions that were right in her hometown.
While busy now with her studies, Bates does not want the newness of the title to wear off any time soon. She's looking forward to ribbon cuttings and riding on a float in the annual Christmas parade.
As Miss Neshoba County, she feels that it is important to be a good role model for the youth of the community and to do her part in helping her hometown to prosper.
"Miss Neshoba County is not a beauty pageant," said Bates. "She is an icon and good spokesperson for the county. It is an honor."
As for Bates being a good role model, Susan could vouch for her.
While on a recent medical mission trip to Trujillo, Peru, Bates returned with far less clothing than she packed. She felt so blessed, and most of the Peruvian people had nothing so she decided to leave them what she could. In the future, she wants to do more mission work abroad.
As for any girls considering being a part of the pageant next year, she would tell them to "go for it!"
Bates said the pageant helped her learn how to better groom herself, carry herself and communicate with people.
For now, she enjoys playing center outfield in fast and slow pitch softball, cheerleading, running, reading earlier fictional literature like The Scarlet Letter, watching older movies especially ones with Audrey Hepburn, and spending time with friends and family.
According to her mother, Bates believes that reading good literature fuels her brain and keeps the wheels turning; sports teach discipline and perseverance; and pets are the most loyal, dedicated friends you can have, because they never waiver.
Bates has four pets: Duke a yellow Labrador; Cane a golden retriever, Ashes a Siamese cat and Hamson, a horse.
She plans to attend Mississippi State University in fall 2010 and room with Mallory Madison, Neshoba County's current Junior Miss. She hopes to be a member of the cheerleading squad on campus and plans to participate in sorority rush.
