Those who practice and study any area of health know the importance of awareness in the treatment and prevention of illness.

Nineteen-year-old Christine Kozlowski of D'Iberville and 22-year-old Hilliary Walters of Ellisville, both College of Health students at The University of Southern Mississippi, took their health-focused platforms all the way to Vicksburg for the Miss Mississippi pageant this summer.

Kozlowski, the newly-crowned Miss Mississippi, is a sophomore nutrition and dietetics major who is advocating diabetes awareness education after witnessing the disease affect multiple family members. She recently helped form the Diabetes Advocates Nourishing Children’s Education (DANCE) to promote education about the prevention of the disease among young people.

She continues to learn more about establishing and improving a healthy lifestyle in her college classes by learning how food affects the body.

"I didn't know what I wanted to do when entering my freshman year," Kozlowski said. "I thought about a lot of options, but I couldn't think of anything that really excited me. I've always been interested in food, cooking and baking, but on the healthy side. I'm really excited that my lab will be the kitchen."

Kozlowski said her experience this summer has helped her become an advocate for something she feels strongly about and encourages others to "take a stand" for an issue that can positively change lives.

Walters, a speech-language pathology graduate student at Southern Miss, feels the same way as a fellow College of Health peer who brought her organ and tissue donation awareness platform to the Miss Mississippi pageant.

"A close friend of mine received a liver transplant while in high school," Walters said. "This made me realize that the need for organ and tissue donation encompasses all age groups. I feel as though I am making a difference by promoting the benefits that come from making the selfless decision to become an organ donor."

Walters incorporated her academic studies in the pageant by presenting her thesis research on “Theory of Mind” at the College of Health Research Advisory Committee and during a portion of the competition.

"I encourage others to maintain a healthy lifestyle for a healthier Mississippi,” said Walters, who took home a $1,500 Academic Award provided by the Miss America Organization and the Miss Mississippi Corporation, $500 from the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency and a $1,200 Non-Finalist Scholarship. “I will always continue to promote research in my field of study as well as organ and tissue donation awareness throughout the state.”

Walters is a Southern Miss HEADWAE Award recipient, Honors College ambassador, Golden Key International Honor Society vice president, National Bright Futures Scholarship recipient, involved in numerous student activities and leadership positions on campus and also works with non-profit organizations in the Pine Belt.

"The College of Health strives to educate professionals not just for jobs, but for leadership in life and as citizens," said Dr. Michael Forster, College of Health interim dean. "These young women are wonderful examples of the kind of service leadership the college hopes to nurture in all its students.”

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About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.  In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.  Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.