FORMER JUNIOR MISS CARTERVILLE IS CONTESTANT IN MISS ARIZONA 

USA PAGEANT

Former Carterville High School student receives local business support in her quest for a state crown.

Herrin, IL- November 19, 2013

"I have known Taylor for many years and have watched her grow into a beautiful, high-spirited and compassionate adult," said Kandi Chapman, President of MBI Worldwide, Inc.  "I also believe in her platform of Environmental Awareness and it is really an honor to have my company sponsor an individual with such high morals and character, as she competes for the crown of Miss Arizona USA."

Taylor Puckett is the daughter of USAF Major Curtis & Mrs. Monica Puckett (from Mt. Vernon, IL & San Antonio, TX, respectively). Taylor currently resides in Sierra Vista, AZ and attends Cochise College pursuing a degree in Fashion Merchandising.  Miss Puckett was a resident of Carterville, IL from 2006-2010, and held the crown of Junior Miss Carterville (Carterville, IL) in 2008.  She currently holds the title of Miss Sierra Vista USA 2014 in Sierra Vista, AZ.  

 Taylor will compete against 38 candidates from Arizona on December 1, 2013 in Mesa, AZ in the Miss Arizona USA Pageant hosted by Casting Crowns Productions. She will compete in swimsuit, evening gown, and private interview over the course of the three-day pageant weekend. Her pageant platform is Environmental Awareness including prevention and education of the positive effects of recycling.

ABOUT MBI WORLDWIDE, INC.

Founded in 1998, MBI Worldwide is a nationally recognized, woman-owned company and a global leader in employment background checks and drug testing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to help large and small companies make safer hiring decisions. MBI Worldwide has customers all over the United States, and office locations in Southern Illinois and Atlanta, GA.

 "I am excited for the possibility at being able to represent the state of Arizona in the Miss USA 2014 Pageant.  I am blessed to have such amazing support from family and friends living in Illinois and all over the world."  -Taylor Puckett

PERSONAL LETTER FROM TAYLOR PUCKETT

I am Taylor Puckett and I am currently Miss Sierra Vista USA 2014 and I am on the road to Miss Arizona USA 2014! I currently reside in Sierra Vista Arizona and I am attending Cochise College and pursuing a degree in Fashion Marketing and a minor in German. I claim that I am from Carterville, Illinois due to the fact that I lived in Carterville from 2006-2010 and attended CIS and CHS and I am a proud Lion. I was also Jr. Miss Carterville in 2008, which is where my pageant interest began! My family lives in Mount Vernon, Illinois and my older sister graduated with a bachelor's degree from SIUC and my father, Major Curtis Puckett, was a ROTC Professor and attained his master's degree also at SIUC. So Illinois is near and dear to my heart. After moving from Carterville, Illinois I attended and graduated from AFNORTH International School in the Netherlands. Throughout my last three years of high school I was on the cheerleading squad and track team and a member of student council.

While living in the Netherlands I became a European traveler and environmental enthusiast. I got the amazing opportunity to travel to Iceland on behalf of the environmental organization SEEDS on a ten day environmental trip to Reykjavik as well as became a member of the Environmental "3R" group at AFNORTH spreading awareness throughout the community. Another huge aspect in my life is the military, since my father has served twenty plus years and is still currently serving in Arizona, I am very proud of being a military kid and possess a special drive to support our troops. 

While in Europe, I became involved with "Cards for Troops" by sending cards to troops who were deployed to Afghanistan throughout the holidays. Throughout my travels and moves I have had enormous support from friends and family in Illinois especially MBI Worldwide Inc. President and founders, Brian and Kandi Chapman! I feel extremely blessed to have met so many extraordinary people who live here! I hope I become Miss Arizona USA 2014 and represent Arizona at Miss USA 2014. I know I can do it because of my Arizona diversity and my Illinois heart!