An interview with one of the candidates for Miss Ole Miss, Ryan Henry.

What has motivated you to run for Miss Ole Miss?  

RH: When I was a freshman I got to hear the Miss Ole Miss candidates speak to Freshman Council, and I remember being so impressed by how involved they were and how they genuinely loved Ole Miss. I decided I wanted to be just like them!  

I didn’t decide then that I wanted to be Miss Ole Miss. However I knew I wanted to represent what those women represented. I did that by getting involved with as many community service projects as possible! Now, I see the Miss Ole Miss position as something more than what I saw it as a freshman. I see it as an opportunity to continue serving our community. Oh! And I think it would be awesome to get on the football field during a game!

What characteristics, values, and beliefs do you think some one running for Miss Ole Miss should uphold? 

RH: I think a Miss Ole Miss candidate should have a genuine love for Ole Miss and desire to serve her community because what most people don’t know is that the Miss Ole Miss is a service position. She and Mr. Ole Miss pick an Oxford service organization to promote throughout their year of service. Beside being a service leader, I also think Miss Ole Miss should represent every student, be honest, approachable, and also have a sense of humor! My goal for this campaign is to have as much fun as possible, because I’ve been given an amazing opportunity!  

What is going to drive your campaign?

RH: First and foremost, I’m going to run a fun and clean campaign! So many people have supported me and worked to make this campaign happen. Therefore, I want to enjoy every minute of it!! But my focus is going to be communicating the importance of Miss Ole Miss as a servant leadership position and representative of our student body.   

Why should someone vote for you vs. the other candidates?    

RH: Well for starters, I don’t think anyone can go wrong voting this year!  Both of the other candidates are great.  But someone should vote for me because I would use the title of Miss Ole Miss to give back to Ole Miss. Miss Ole Miss has traditionally been a popularity contest, but I want to change the focus and make it about what the candidates can do for our community.   

What experience(s) make you capable of being Miss Ole Miss?

RH: I have an extensive community service background. It started when I pulled a tiny black kitten from the engine of a van, outside of church, when I was 14. Black Jack inspired me to started talking to local grade school classes about adopting and proper pet care. In Oxford I’ve volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club, Champions are Readers, More than a Meal, and the humane society. 

I’ve also been ASB Co-Director of Community Service for Cabinet, Community Service Campus Liaison for Senate, Co-Director of Outreach for the Big Event, A Big Event Team Leader, and Adopt a Basket volunteer – among others.  So, I’m pretty prepared on the community service front. Being so involved on campus, not only in community service roles, but in my sorority, the honors college, and Lott Leadership Institute has given me such a deep love for Ole Miss. 

I’ve never been somewhere where I feel so at home. I grew up wondering what it would be like to come to Ole Miss and its better than I imagined! This love for Ole Miss makes me capable of representing our school. As far as representing all students, I grew up in New York but graduated from an in-state school, so I have a unique understanding of both in and out-of-state students.             

What are your extracurricular activities? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? 

RH: Does Netflix count as an extracurricular?  Actually, I was an anchor for NewsWatch last year for fun and I loved it!  I’ve also gotten on a pilates kick lately. If froyo qualifies as an extracurricular activity, I go treat myself to that at least twice a week.  I go with friends and we talk about what's going on in everyone’s lives.    

What's your favorite thing about campus and Oxford in general? 

RH: I think I speak for most of the student body when I say game day! There’s nothing like the Grove!

So there you go! Be sure to vote!