FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2015
Contact: Carrie Greenwood, State Coordinator
4001 SE 34th Terr.
Topeka, KS 66605
(785) 267-5982 Phone
(785) 215-6699 Fax
mswheelchairkansas@yahoo.com
NEW MS. WHEELCHAIR KANSAS CROWNED
Overbrook woman to serve as spokesperson and advocate for people with disabilities
TOPEKA, Kan. – The 2015 Ms. Wheelchair Kansas (MWKS) was recently crowned during
a weekend ceremony held March 15, 2015, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka, Kan.
Carrie Sunday of Overbrook received her crown after participating in four judging sessions,
as well as many other activities, throughout the three-day event held March 13-15. The
weekend concluded with a formal crowning, where Carrie was chosen as the new titleholder
and fellow contestants Keara Hockman of Wichita and Jessica Soderlund of Oakley were
recognized for their accomplishments. The first Little Miss Wheelchair Kansas was
announced at the ceremony as well. Delaney Murphy of Ottawa will work alongside Carrie
in the coming year to empower Kansans with this new title.
The crowning ceremony, held on Sunday, was attended by more than 150 family, friends,
and community members. The event consisted of platform speeches by each of the three
contestants, as well as two on-stage questions. The audience enjoyed a slide show of memories from the weekend; a
keynote speech from Tiffany Nickel, Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2010; a tribute to longtime committee member Rebecca
Branam; and a farewell from the 2014 MWKS titleholder, Bridgid Schwilling of Leavenworth.
Carrie, the new titleholder, wants to make a mark on this world and encourage people with disabilities to live life to
the fullest. Carrie, who obtained a spinal cord injury in 2003, is a wife and mother of a toddler. She is also a speaker,
volunteer, employee, artist, and advocate. Carrie currently lives in Overbrook and works as the Quality Systems
Coordinator for Innovia Films, Inc. She is also in the beginning stages of opening her own photography business.
Carrie is dedicated to making her community a supportive place for all members and has been a volunteer with the
Silverbackks group for two years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media from Washburn University.
Carrie wants to encourage people with disabilities to take every opportunity to be happy and live life on their own
terms.
Delaney, the new Little Miss, is an enthusiastic 10 year old from Ottawa who was born with Spina Bifida. She attends
school at Garfield Elementary, is a member of Sacred Heart Church, and will be involved in the Miracle League
Fields this summer. Delaney has been involved in a Make A Wish Walk and is a supporter of the Rodney White
Children's Foundation. She has also been a MWKS volunteer for many years. Delaney enjoys making a difference
and, when she loves something, it shows inside and out!
Carrie will serve as a role model and spokesperson for people with disabilities in Kansas in the coming year. She will
strive to educate, advocate, and empower all people in our state. Carrie will have the opportunity to travel throughout
Kansas educating various groups about the issues of importance to people with disabilities. She will share her
platform of “Changing the Definition of Disabled” with Kansans of all ages. With this platform, she will work to
break down stereotypes of people with disabilities. Carrie will ultimately represent Kansas in the Ms. Wheelchair
America competition, held in Des Moines, IA in July, where she will compete for the national title alongside 30 other
women from varying states. Delaney will work alongside Carrie to show the capabilities of people with disabilities.
She will empower people of all ages, especially young people in our state.
To schedule an appearance or presentation by the new Ms. Wheelchair Kansas or Little Miss Wheelchair Kansas,
contact Carrie Greenwood, State Coordinator, at (785) 267-5982 or via email at mswheelchairkansas@yahoo.com.
More information can also be found on the Ms. Wheelchair Kansas web site at www.mswheelchairkansas.org.
Ms. Wheelchair Kansas is sponsored in part by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.