Miss America send-off planned for UC grad Markham

RIPLEY - A community send-off is planned this weekend for a University of Charleston graduate in celebration of her representation of the state at the Miss America pageant later this month.

A Miss America Send-off Party for Talia Rochelle Markham, the reigning Miss West Virginia, is planned for Sunday, Jan. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the McCoy Conference Center at 701 W. Main St. in Ripley. The event is free, and open to the public.

According to the event's page on the social networking site, Facebook, Markham will be modeling her Miss America wardrobe, and performing her talent, vocals. Also, videos featuring her talent from past pageants will be shown.

Prior to being crowned Miss West Virginia in June, Markham, 23, won the Miss Fairs and Festivals in 2007 representing Lincoln County. Last year, she won the Miss Kanawha Valley Scholarship Organization, a preliminary competition to the Miss America Pageant.

As Miss KVSO, Markham competed last year in the Miss West Virginia Pageant taking 2nd runner-up to Kyla Lanham. This year, Markham competed as Miss Miss Capital City, one of the crowns affiliated with Miss KVSO.

In the midst of pageant competition, Markham graduated UC in December 2007 with a bachelor of arts in media and literary studies, and a minor in leadership. The semester prior to graduation, she interned at the West Virginia House of Delegates for Del. Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson.

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

The event will also feature a guest appearance by Kyle Maynard, a high school wrestler who later became a mixed martial arts fighter born with congenital amputation of his forearms and legs. His 2005 memoir is titled "No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wresting and in Life."

Prior to the event at 1:30 p.m., both Markham and Maynard will be available for sign autographs.

Markham will travel to Las Vegas later this month to compete against 52 other women for the Miss America crown. The pageant will be shown Saturday, Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. on The Learning Channel.

Markham says her future plans are to obtain an MBA, go to law school and start her own business.

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.