Holcomb native Kayla Braswell has much to smile about as she ends a very busy but fun-filled summer.
Braswell, who attended Kirk Academy from K4 until 10th grade before being accepted to Mississippi School of the Arts for her junior and senior year, graduated in May and signed with William Carey University to attend
college in the fall on a talent scholarship.
While still attending the Mississippi School of Arts, she competed in the October 2021 Delta Preliminary Pageant held in Greenville, where she won the title Miss Riverbend, moving her on to the chance at Miss Mississippi in Vicksburg.
Being the youngest contestant to compete in this year’s Miss Mississippi pageant was just one of the honors Braswell was able to gain from the event. The 18-year-old may not have taken the crown, but she walked away from the experience with much to be thankful for.
“This week was truly the most fulfilling experience I’ve ever had,” Braswell said. “I am so proud to say that I walked away from this week with $3,000 in scholarships.”
Braswell was awarded the Hummingbird Recording Theater and Music Communication Scholarship, a non-finalist talent scholarship, and a preliminary talent scholarship.
Mother, Vicky Braswell will cherish this time spent with her daughter for years to come.
“This will always be an amazing memory from such a wonderful week,” Braswell said. “Kayla represented herself, her town and her school so well. I am very proud of her.”
Braswell partnered with Blair Batson Children’s Hospital to provide ukulele lessons to the long-term hospitalized children in Jackson.
“Songs for Smiles is a music therapy program I created,” Braswell said. “I provide ukuleles, song books, cases, and picks to the children in the program. My goal for Songs for Smiles is to encourage those around me. I want to encourage everyone to use their talents and passions to serve their community. Anything can be used to serve, singing, dancing, painting, cooking, writing, all of these and more are fantastic ways to serve your community.”
Now that Miss Mississippi has come to a close, becoming a music therapist and teaching children with special needs are her main focus.
The Mustard Seed based out of Brandon is a Christian community for adults with developmental disabilities, which provides a loving and protected environment with meaningful activities that allow their “Seedsters” to fulfill the potential God, has created for them. Songs for Smiles joined The Mustard Seed this July, to work together and learn more about the ukulele.
“I loved getting to work with The Mustard Seed,” Braswell concluded. “We played the ukulele, chatted and just had a great time. Songs for Smiles exists for moments like this. I want to teach Mississippi that music really is the universal language.”
