Melissa McConnell

Education

Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University. Louisiana State University.

Career

McConnell, who hails from Ruston, Louisiana, is an experienced pageant contestant. She had placed in the semi-finals in the 2001 pageant, increased her position to third runner-up in the 2002 pageant and came close to winning the title in 2003 when she placed first runner up to Brittney Rogers of Shreveport. Rogers would later go on to compete on The Amazing Race 8.

The 2004 pageant, held at Lafayette"s Heymann Performing Arts Theater in October 2003, was McConnell"s last possible attempt because of the age restriction imposed by the Mission Universe Organization.

McConnell graduated from Ruston High School in 1995 and went on to complete a bachelor"s degree in journalism from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1999. She then returned to Louisiana, where she attended Louisiana State University and completed her Juris Doctor and Civil Law degree, passing her bar exam on her first attempt.

She is currently working as an attorney. In 1994 McConnell established the Hope Empowers and Renews Others award to recognize and encourage ordinary people who reach out in love and service in an extraordinary manner.

During her reign as Mission Louisiana United States of America, she awarded this honor to one special Louisianan every month.

Achievements

• On her fourth attempt, she finally won the Mission Louisiana United States of America title. McConnell represented Louisiana in the nationally televised Mission United States of America 2004 pageant broadcast live from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California on April 12, 2004, but failed to place. The pageant was won by Shandi Finnessey of Missouri.