Union's Autumn Hicks Vies for Local Crown

Union College junior Autumn Hicks will participate in the Miss Southeast Kentucky/Miss Cumberland Valley scholarship pageant this Saturday, January 29 at Bell County High School.

Hicks, a member of the college cycling team, will compete in the pageant with a bicycle safety platform. As a competitive cyclist, her platform, Bike Safety: D.A.R.E. to Wear a Helmet/National Safe Kids Campaign is something that Hicks holds close to her heart.

"I began to focus on bicycle safety as a student back home in Pine Top. I work with the Knott County D.A.R.E. program and we encourage students to ride safely and wear a helmet," Hicks said.

As a cyclist, Hicks was named Kentucky's 1998 Women's Mountain Biking State Champion, placed 2nd in the World Cup held in Atlanta, and has placed 5th in the sport's national competition. Recently, Hicks brought home a 1st place trophy at a mountain biking race in Fontana, North Carolina.

Hicks has participated in scholarship pageants since she was eight months old. "This particular pageant will help me pay for my education at Union College," she said. "But ultimately, my goal is to participate in the Miss Kentucky Scholarship Pageant and then, hopefully, the Miss America program."

January 31, 2005

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