What are your Hobbies?
Modeling, singing, acting, dancing, and playing with my sisters' dogs, Cole and Beau
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What makes you special and unique?
I feel that what really makes me special is my platform "13 going on 30" and the passion I have for it. I feel that there is a great and urgent need for this platform. That’s why I am committed to it.
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What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received came from my big sister, Andrea. She always tells me to give one hundred percent of yourself in all that you do.
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Name one thing you cannot live without.
One thing that I definitely can’t live without is my Bible. I can always count on the Bible to give me strength, advice, and to also keep me going throughout the day. I even carry it to school.
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What's the most valuable lesson you've ever learned?
The most valuable lesson that I have learned is always do your best. That way no matter the outcome, you’ll always be satisfied with the results.
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Who is your most valued role model and why?
Oprah Winfrey, of course! She has shown me that with hard work and determination you can get anywhere in life that you want to be no matter where you came from. I also look up to her because I feel her sincerity and giving spirit has helped to make her even more successful.
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What was your most unexpected moment?
My eighth grade year at awards day when I was awarded the vice principal award for excellence. I had absolutely no idea that I was going to get that award. Out of six hundred students, the award was given to the student who excels in grades and character.
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What is your workout routine?
Right now all I have to do is put in the pageant production DVDs to practice, and that’s more than enough cardio. But, my regular workout routine consists of lifting free weights, abdominal exercises, and jogging.
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What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?
When I was awarded fourth alternate at the 2006 Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen Pageant. I was completely overwhelmed with joy. I worked so hard and it certainly paid off in the end.
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What is the best compliment you have ever received?
A few years ago I sang the National Anthem for the Mississippi Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Ball. After I sat down, the speaker for the evening -- a Tuskegee Airman -- said to the audience, that in all of his life he had never heard anyone sing the National Anthem as well as I had. I was so honored to receive a compliment from someone so well respected.
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What is your secret wish?
My secret wish has always been to become a figure skater. When I was a young child, I vividly remember pretending that the kitchen floor was an ice skating rink and that I was Michelle Kwan.
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What was your most embarrassing moment?
My most embarrassing moment was in fifth grade during my very first pageant. It was called our Valentine Sweetheart Review. My contestant number was forty-one. When they called my name out for top twelve, I forgot and thought my number was fourteen. They had to call my number three times before I finally realized that it was me. I felt truly embarrassed, but luckily I still received first runner-up.
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What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Eating lots of Krispy Kreme doughnuts is my guilty pleasure. It doesn’t matter whether they’re chocolate, glazed, or sprinkled.
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What is your favorite movie and why?
My favorite movie is The Notebook. In my opinion, it is one of the greatest love stories.
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What do you like to do for fun... relaxation... recreation?
I just love listening music. I mostly relax to tunes by MercyMe, Nicole C. Mullen, Carrie Underwood, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake.
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What would be your dream vacation or destination?
My dream vacation would be to travel to Paris, France. I am so interested in the French culture, language, lifestyle, and fashion. I would love to visit the historic churches, restaurants, stores, and of course the Eiffel Tower.
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What do you like best about the state of Mississippi?
I love our hospitality. Wherever you go in the state, you can always find people who are friendly and kind. I also love the sweet tea and soul food.
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Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, I see myself as a graduate from The Juilliard School in New York City and a successful professional vocalist. Plus, I hope to be traveling to different countries in Europe and exploring different cultures.
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What extracurricular activities do you participate in?
The Young Democrats; Columbus High School Frontline Show Choir; The National Junior Honor Society; Les Amies Toujours Social Club (The Friends Forever); Pink Pearls Organization; The Columbus Girl Choir; Treble Song Honor Choir; the First Assembly of God youth choir.
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Who am I?
I am a 15-year-old sophomore at Columbus High School in Columbus, MS. My parents are Dr. Samuel and Lisa Murray. I have three sisters -- Kimberly, Andrea, and Eliscia, and one brother Micah -- who mean the world to me. I am the youngest in my family and all of my sisters and brother are adults over the age of 23. One thing I have learned from being the youngest is that I am very fortunate to have great mentors who are so close to me. All I have to do is call one of my sisters for great advice.

One thing that some people may not know about me is that I started singing at the age of two. My family tells me that one day we were all in the car, and I just started singing with the radio. I haven’t stopped since that day, and I feel that’s why I am so passionate about it. In fact, I sing all the time.

Because of this talent, I have had the opportunity to perform at events all over the state including the Mississippi Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Ball, 2006 Columbus Pilgrimage, and the Columbus Air Force Base squadron change of command. One place that I get a chance to perform all the time is at my school. I am overjoyed every time they ask me to sing for my peers. My ultimate goal is to become a professional vocalist, so that I can share the voice that God gave me with people all over the world.
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Tell us about your platform.
Have you ever known a 13-year-old girl that acted like a 30-year-old woman? Well, that’s exactly why I developed my platform of "13 Going On 30." For the past three years, I have been mentoring teens through my platform. This year I decided to focus on young girls growing up too fast, because I feel it’s a problem that is being overlooked in our society. Every day I see teen girls at school and in the community that are acting and dressing like adults.

Research suggests that some of the main reasons why teens are growing up too fast are because of influence from the media, lack of good role models, not being accepted by peers, and lack of parental supervision. Teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, and dropping out of school are just a few of the negative results that can stem from teens growing up too fast.

My passion for this platform has led me into schools to talk to young girls about embracing and celebrating their age instead of trying too grow up to fast. I educate the girls on how to set goals, find their special talents, and how to identify positive role models.

But, I also realize in today’s society, teens need something that excites and moves them to making the right decisions. So, for the past three years I have held motivational camps where teens act out skits, listen to motivational speakers, and have rap sessions where they can talk with other teens about their issues. I also encourage the teens and their parents to go to my platform website 13GoingOn30.homestead.com to get more information.
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