Background
Edwards grew up in Clinton, Mississippi and graduated from Central Hinds Academy in 1999.
Edwards grew up in Clinton, Mississippi and graduated from Central Hinds Academy in 1999.
After spending one year and a study abroad semester at Mississippi College, she transferred to the University of Miami, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies and English Literature.
In 1998 and 1999 she competed in the Mission Mississippi Teen United States of America pageant, and placed first runner-up both years. Edwards was an official hostess/entertainer for that pageant in 2000 and 2001. Mission America
Her first runner-up was Shannon Schambeau who would later become Mission District of Columbia 2005.
Mission United States of America
In April 2006, Edwards returned to the pageant stage, winning the Mission North Miami United States of America title, a preliminary for Mission Florida United States of America. Edwards passed on the Mission Florida United States of America title to Jessica Rafalowski on 14 July 2007.
Is a non-profit organization founded in 2000 that is dedicated to helping young cancer sufferers, allowing them to dress up and crowning them "". The organisation aims to encourage local communities to host party days for girls with cancer.
Edwards represented Florida at the Mission America 2005 pageant and the Mission United States of America 2007 pageant. She won her first major title, Mission Teen All-American, in 1999. In 2000 she won the Mission Oktoberfest pageant, beating future Mission United States of America titleholder Shandi Finnessey. In September 2002 Edwards won the Mission University of Miami preliminary title, and competed for the Mission Florida title in mid-2003. Edwards placed in the top 15 and won Newcomer of the Year. The pageant was won by Ericka Dunlap. Dunlap would later go on to win the Mission America title. In February the following year she won Mission Winter Park, another preliminary title, and competed at the state pageant held in June. In that pageant she won both swimsuit and evening gown preliminaries, and was crowned Mission Florida 2004. Edwards represented Florida in the Mission America 2005 pageant broadcast live from Atlantic City, New Jersey in September 2007. She did not place in the nationally televised pageant, but did win a preliminary swimsuit award. Edwards competed for the Mission Florida United States of America 2007 title on 15 July 2006, winning the title and becoming the third Mission Florida to win the Mission Florida United States of America crown. She represented Florida at the Mission United States of America pageant held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California on March 23, 2007, but did not place. Edwards is well known for starting the charity "", for which she won the Mission America Overall Community Service award. lieutenant has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and in People Magazine (March 2002) and won the Ford Motor Company"s "Commitment to Kids" Award in 2001.
