Corinna Hughes has learned a lot in her young 19 years, and she hopes to use her life experiences to help others.
“Everyone has adversities to go through,” Hughes said. “Mainly, I just want to be a role model.”
HER ROLE MODELS
Hughes said she has had many positive influences from an early age including her mother Alvina Burton.
Her father, Savannah Hughes, died when she was only a year old and her mother raised her as a single mom.
Hughes said she was greatly influenced by her mother because she was able to accomplish so much on her own.
“She is very inspiring,” Hughes said. “I don’t see how she did that. She taught me to be a phenomenal women.”
Hughes enjoys the poem “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou because it reminds her of her mother.
“It (the poem) really touches home for me,” Hughes said. “She is my cheerleader. She has always supported me. I thank God that she is so supportive.”
She also looks up to her grandmother, Della Hughes.
“That is where my sternness comes from,” Hughes joked.
Because of the influence from her mother, Hughes worked hard to be a well-rounded individual.
“Having that independence at a young age, I really knew who I was,” Hughes said. “I knew what I wanted to do. I put myself in a better position where I could become a better person.”
She graduated from Adair County High School in 2011. While in high school, she was senior class president, involved in band, SADD, science club, BETA, NHS, 4-H and the student council.
However, nothing could compare to what she accomplished her senior year of high school. Hughes, who has been in the pageant circuit since she was 13 years old, won the crown for Miss Kentucky County Fair.
MISS KENTUCKY COUNTY FAIR
After she was crowned Allen County Fair 2011, Hughes continued on to the state level last January.
“I was very surprised,” Hughes said. “I was balling and crying like someone had passed away…I thought ‘You overcame an obstacle and adversities. You are Miss Kentucky County Fair.’”
Hughes said in her experience with pageants, there aren’t a lot of biracial women and that can be an obstacle when it comes to winning.
“I think (winning) is empowering for someone of a different race,” Hughes said.
She prides herself on being an individual and having her own voice.
“I am Corrina Hughes,” she said. “I have a name and I have my own personality…I just want to get my opinions out there, to flourish. This is just the beginning for me.”
Hughes takes her individuality and work ethic and hopes it can influence other people.
“I have met so many little girls,” Hughes said. “I really just want to be a role model to them.”
In her six years in the pageant circuit, she has learned an important lesson.
“Never let the word can’t get in the way,” Hughes said. “You have to have tough skin. You can’t let things get in the way.”
Hughes will pass on her crown for Miss Kentucky County Fair this Saturday. During her rein, she appeared in many events throughout the state including the opening ceremony of the State Fair where she met the governor and state representatives.
Hughes participated in the Miss Kentucky County Fair pageant representing the Allen County Fair, but she got her start right here in Adair County where she grew up.
Her first pageant was in the Adair County Fair when she was 13 years old, where she placed in the top 15.
HER FUTURE
Hughes just finished her first semester at the University of Kentucky with a 4.0 GPA. She is working towards getting her nursing degree. She was to be a women’s health practitioner.
“I really enjoy helping people,” Hughes said. “I am just in love with the fact that women are empowering.”
Hughes is also very serious about her education. She said she practically lives in the library at UK. She never goes to parties or does anything that would prevent her from being a good role model.
“I had a goal in mind and I went for it,” she said.
Hughes said she is not finished with pageants. She wants to compete in more pageants and volunteer, but not before she finishes her college education.
“I want to focus on education,” Hughes said. “That comes first.”
Hughes said her ultimate goal in life is to not just become successful but to live happy and not let anything get in the way.
By Allison Hollon
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