Obviously, number one, we know her.  She is one of us, even though her family moved away a few years ago.  She is still one of us.  Her grandparents are still active members here.  Frankly, it would be a really nice thing for us to be able to say that Miss America 2007 grew up in our church.  But that isn't the only reason.

She is a beautiful girl whose beauty lies more than skin deep.  She is an active, professing Christian who is not afraid to tell the world.  She is in the process of doing that.  She is a good student, being a part of the Mississippi State University.  She has talent, as we witnessed when she played the piano at a recent service here.  She is a good speaker, forceful and clear.  She is passionate about a worthwhile cause.  That cause is Son VAlley, a community for Special  Adults.  This community is presently being built in stages by people both here in Mississippi and in other states who have caught the vision of what this community can be and can mean.  Taryn's paternal grandmother and family are the ones who birthed the vision and who have made possible a generous beginning for the project.  They have been tireless in preaching, speaking, teaching about Son Valley for several years now.  It is becoming a reality as I write these paragraphs.  This is one of Taryn's special passions.

I have known Taryn's father and mother for many years.  They are solid, dependable, outstanding Christian people.  They were outstanding leaders with youth when they were members of this church.  In particular they sponsored and led the youth Bible drills for years.  My children along with others participated in these Bible learning activities.

Mississippi has produced many outstanding young women over the years.  Taryn falls in a line of succession to them.  I hope that we can say when the contest is over that we are surely proud to say that we know Miss America 2007!