Carolyn Duren - 46 of Mississippi has been married to her husband Tommy for 24 years. They have 2 sons Matthew, a LCPL in the United States Marine Corps and Stephen, a high school Junior.  They also have two other "children" Max and Missy (Miss America) their tiny yorshire terriers.

Carolyn has been involved with pageantry since 1985.She has competed, directed, produced and judged. Her first love is the competition.

In 1996 she opened 3D Marketing, a promotional products company. Most recently she has began a new career in the interior design field with her business of "Interiors and Artistry". Carolyn is an accomplished artist with a specialty in portrait painting.

With a passion for wanting to make a difference, Carolyn founded National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (National LEAD) in 2002. This is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that promotes and gives recognition to law enforcement professionals all over the country. They also give educational scholarships to officers to further their education in the law enforcement profession. National LEAD is currently in 14 states and growing. www.nationallead.com

She is President of the Vicksburg Association of Marketing Professionals and is also a Board member for Teen Coalition for a Drug Free Vicksburg.

Edcuation
Attended Hinds Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi
Degree in Commercial Design and Art
Fine Arts - Drawing and Painting

Pageant history
Mrs. Mississippi America 1985
Mrs. Mississippi International 1999
Beauties of America 30’s National Winner 2000
Beauties of America 40’s National Winner 2002
Mrs. Gulf States International 2004 - 4th Runner up at Mrs. International
Mrs. United America - 2005
Mrs. US 2007 - US Miss System

Director for the Miss Hinds County Pageant for the Miss Mississippi America System -3 yrs (1986-1989)
Director for Mrs. Mississippi International System (2000-2002)
Director for Miss Mississippi United States Teen Competition 2000-2001
National Staff - Miss United States Teen 2000-2001
National Staff - Mrs. International - 2000 - 2003
Judge for Miss and Teen International - 2007

Myky Harris, who competed as Ms. Mississippi US, was crowned Ms US 2007. A Psychology graduate of the University of Washington, she is the Chief Executive Officer of an entertainment production company. After producing scholarship pageants in her native state of California, Myky pursues her ambitions as an educator and youth advocate for advancing literacy, leadership and faith in America through the art of Music. A former English Literacy teacher, Myky and her students have founded the  American Youth Leadership Commission: a youth organization that prides itself in raising millions of dollars for charities whose proceeds benefit various youth organizations internationally. In addition to her efforts in charitable causes, Myky is known for her compassionate personality and versatile musical background, in which the industry has coined her "Queen of Music Charity".  

An active community volunteer with St. Jude Children's Hospital and the Youth Ministries Team at  Hosanna Christian Center,  her favorite hobbies include travel, sports, music, spending time with family and public speaking.  When asked about what it was like to be crowned Ms. US 2007, she said, "I am so honored and overtaken by this blessing! I will continue to enable youth to champion their personal destinies through faith and community service...true beauty is not in the clothes that she wears or in the figure that she carries.  But is purely transformed by the Spirit and shared with love.  This beauty can only be seen through her eyes because they are the windows to her soul..." 
Myky was crowned in a chocolate & eggshell blue Jovani Red-Carpet gown sponsored by her wardrobe specialist at Cheryl’s Bridal of Corinth, MS.  

Please visit www.theaylc.com to find out more information about the American Youth Leadership Commission and ways that you can support America’s youth.  Myky is available for public appearances and donates a substantial amount of her time for charitable causes.

Kariean Patterson is a 25 year old from Jackson, MS. She represented the state of Mississippi in the national competition prior to being crowned Miss US. A graduate of Mississippi State University, she holds a Masters of Science in Community Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.  While in graduate school, Kariean aided a professor in creating a suicide prevention workshop for educators.  Kariean is a Licensed Professional Counselor and currently working with the geriatric population at an outpatient counseling center.  Prior to geriatric counseling, she was employed as an Addictions Counselor for women.

Kariean’s future plans are to eventually have a private practice where she can work with various populations with disorders of every type.  Kariean's platform is Cherish Our Children:  Children at Risk for Negative Outcomes.  She has been working with this platform since 2002.  The program began with a psychologist at Mississippi State University and several undergraduate students.  When the program lost its funding, Kariean continued to embrace the platform and bridge the gap between children at risk and their families.  The platform links the families to community resources such as food assistance, counseling, etc.  Kariean is known for her empathy and vivacious personality which goes above and beyond the call of duty.  She is also a donor for St. Jude Children's Hospital and a volunteer for the Make a Wish Foundation.

In her spare time, she loves to watch football, exercise, dance, and travel.  She became involved in pageants in 2001 when her brother wanted to have a reason to attend the Miss Mississippi Scholarship Pageant.  She has had the opportunity to compete, judge, coach, and lead mock interviews for pageant participants in several different programs.  She has learned that growing old is inevitable, but growing up is optional.  Kariean finds great pleasure in breaking barriers and accomplishing unthinkable tasks.  As Miss US, she plans to continue bridging the gap for children at risk and their families.  Kariean wants young women to realize that they can accomplish goals, but must remain true to themselves in the process. Kariean’s advice to her generation is that life is tough, you just have to suit up and wear a helmet.

Samantha Stephens is 18 years old from Corona, CA. She is a full time student at Fullerton College. Her passion in life is to dance. She has been actively involved in dance and the award winning Corona High School Cheerleading/ Dance squad.  Samantha’s goals this year is to continue her education while promoting the Miss US Teen to help her platform on Breast Cancer Awareness. During her reign she will attend events promoting her platform and will be walking for The American Cancer Society “Making Strides against Breast Cancer” as part of “Team Brenda”. Brenda Signorino is a Breast Cancer Survivor, personal family friend and a hero. As the 2007-2008 Miss US Teen Samantha will also be traveling the country to various State pageants, red carpet events, charity functions and so much more. Her goal is to have a year filled with excitement, personal growth and hope to inspire other young women to fulfill their dreams whatever they may be.