CA graduate shines in Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer Pageant

Special to The Canton News 

Amelia Rose Cook, a recent graduate of Canton Academy and the daughter of Dr. Jay and Kristi Cook, recently competed in the Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer pageant, marking a milestone in a journey that began with overcoming childhood stage fright.
 

Cook, who grew up in a musical family, said performing wasn’t always easy. 
 

“When I was a little girl, I had extreme stage fright,” she said. “Growing up in a musical family, that obviously didn’t mix.”
 

Years of anxiety made singing in public a daunting task — until her brother, Jameson, stepped in. 
 

“He learned that if I kept my eyes on him and if he kept his eyes on me, I could do it,” she said. But singing solo was another hurdle.
 

Three years ago, Canton Academy was searching for someone to sing the national anthem at home games. Joey Butler, a local police officer who worked the press box at the school, encouraged Cook to volunteer. At first, Cook declined repeatedly.
 

“He finally convinced me, telling me I wouldn’t be seen by people and that I could be alone in the press box,” she said. “When it came time to singing it for the first time, I looked at Mr. Joey and asked him to stay. He stood behind me the entire time. My stage fright was gone.”
 

Since then, Cook has performed the national anthem around 200 times before crowds of all sizes. Her growing confidence led her to the Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer stage — where she faced her biggest audience yet.
 

“Yes, I was comfortable singing,” she said. “But, then again, I had never sung anything other than worship music and the national anthem. I prayed for hours before I competed and walked off with nothing but joy. I cried for about five minutes backstage, just because of how proud I was of how far I’ve come.”
 

Cook chose “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for her performance. 
 

“It reminds us that there’s always hope, dreams really do come true, and there is ALWAYS somewhere over the rainbow,” she said.
 

In addition to the talent portion, Cook reflected on the confidence she gained through the pageant’s fitness phase — a segment she initially feared most.
 

“I wasn’t scared anymore to show my body on stage, I was excited,” Cook said. “But that didn’t come from me alone: it came from the Volunteer System. 

They make you feel like you’re one in a million every single second of every single day.”
 

She also credited The Barre, a local fitness studio, and owner Erin Tate with helping her feel strong and supported. 
 

“Not only do they get you fit, but they form personal relationships with you,” she said. “Without these people, I wouldn’t be half the person I am today and would not have the confidence to walk on that stage.”
 

Cook said the pageant experience was transformative and that she is filled with gratitude. 
 

“Little Amelia would think people were CRAZY if they told her she can now sing anything anywhere at any time,” she said.