Katie Elise Moynihan is a junior majoring in Theatre Arts at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Katie's journey from her southern roots in Memphis, Tennessee to California has set her on the road towards achieving her dreams. In 2005 Katie graduated from Evangelical Christian School with honors. While in high school Katie was a member of the Student Council, serving on the Student Affairs Committee. Katie was also a member of various clubs including the honorary math organization Mu Alpha Theta, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Business Club, and Pep Club. After school Katie would serve as a math tutor to students from Memphis inner city schools. Katie was awarded placement on the Principal's List and Honor Roll for her academic achievements. At Pepperdine, Katie is currenly involved in the L.E.A.D. Program and was chosen as a representative and student leader for New Student Orientation.
At the early age of three Katie began her dance training in ballet. Katie's training continued throughout high school, and now Katie studies a variety of dance including: ballet en pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip-hop, ballroom, salsa, and theater dance. Katie has had the opportunity to study dance at Broadway Dance Center in NYC, and at Millennium Dance Studio in Los Angeles California under the instruction of Wade Robson, Shane Sparks, and Mia Michaels from the FOX TV show, "So You Think You Can Dance?" As only a sophomore at Pepperdine Katie was awarded "Dancer of the Year" and was given the opportunity to choreograph a lyrical dance performed in front of over 2,000 audience members. This past year Katie was elected Assistant to the Director, a highly sought after position within the Dance In Flight Company at Pepperdine. Katie's love for dance and performing lead to her love for the theatre. In high school Katie played roles including Emily Webb in Our Town, The Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol, an ensemble role in 42nd Street, as well as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Katie's dog, a Yorkshire terrier named Jackson, actually played Toto in her high school production. Since high school Katie has gone on to play roles at Pepperdine including: Romaine Patterson in The Laramie Project, Rebecca Gibbs in Our Town, Kate in Brigadoon, as well as ensemble performances in Anything Goes and Damn Yankees. Katie's love for the theatre, as well as her love for working with students has inspired her to hopefully one day pursue a career as a high school drama teacher.
Since the moment Katie was crowned Miss Collierville her life was changed completely. Katie immediately became a role model within her own community. Katie was blessed with opportunities to visit schools, talk to educators and government officials, and most importantly she was able to reach out to the youth in her community. Katie was given a platform from which she could share her message, and support causes close to her heart. Katie is now a Goodwill Ambassador within the Memphis area for its local Children's Miracle Network Hospital, Le Bonheur. Katie will also help promote Governor Phil Bredesen's fight for a Safe and Drug Free Tennessee. Most importantly, Katie is looking forward to all that she will be able to accomplish with her personal platform S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violence Everywhere). So far this year Katie has hosted a fashion show called "Cruise Into Prom 2008." This fashion show was made possible with the help of the Miss Collierville Scholarship Organization, allowing Katie to raise awareness and funds for S.A.V.E. Katie has set many goals for her reign as Miss Collierville. One that is of most importance to her is to ensure that there is at least one violence prevention program in every school within the Shelby County area by the end of her reign. Seeing the devastation that has been forced into the lives of those affected by acts of school violence has touched Katie's heart in ways that she cannot explain. At this very moment Katie's true calling is to ensure a safer learning environment for our students. Katie is beyond grateful to the Miss Collierville Organization for giving her the opportunity to make a difference. It is truly a blessing to be a part of such a wonderful program.
Beyond the pageant world, Katie enjoys going to movies, theme parks, watching reruns of her favorite TV show Friends, going to the lake, traveling, camping, wake boarding, and snow skiing. Katie would define herself as a true daredevil. In fact, when Katie was only fourteen she hang glided off a dormant volcano in Hawaii. Katie is the oldest of six children, and to her it is her family that is her greatest blessing.
