UC grad Markham named Miss West Virginia

A University of Charleston alumnus is the winner of this year's Miss West Virginia pageant.

Today, Talia Rochelle Markham was crowned Miss West Virginia 2009 in Morgantown. The 2007 UC graduate and Ripley native will now compete for the Miss America crown in Las Vegas in February.

This was the fourth time Markham,22, vied for the title. Last year, she was 2nd runner-up to Kyla Lanham.

Both times, Markham was judged preliminary winner in the evening gown competition. Markham was competing as Miss Kanawha Valley and Miss Capital City, respectfully.

Both a part of the Miss Kanawha Valley Scholarship Organization, one of the many official preliminary pageants to Miss America.

Prior to winning Miss Kanawha Valley and Miss Capitol City, Markham was crowned Miss Fairs and Festivals 2007 competing as Miss Lincoln County.

In the midst of pageant competition, Markham graduated from UC in December 2007 with a degree in public relations with an emphasis on public policy. The semester prior to her graduation, she interned for the West Virginia House of Delegates for Del. Mitch Carmichael (R-Jackson) during the 77th legislative session.

Following her graduation, Markham served as a political event planner for then-President George W. Bush.

During this year's competition, Markham chose vocals as her talent and child abuse and neglect as her platform. Currently, she is a volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates

Her plans are to obtain both an MBA, and law degree and later open her own business.