Autumn Kessler is a nursing major who will begin her sophomore year at Muskingum this fall. She chose Muskingum because, “aside from the beauty of the campus, and the small town feel, [there] was the fact that I would have the opportunity to do my pediatric clinicals at Nationwide Children's Hospital, which was very appealing to me since I want to specialize in pediatrics,” Autumn explains. The Bethesda, Ohio native has become involved in the Nursing Student Organization (NSO) since beginning her academic career at Muskingum, and was elected to an officer position for the upcoming school year.
Autumn is also a title holder for the Miss America Organization; she was recently crowned Miss Capital City 2016 and will compete in the Miss Ohio competition in June. She will participate in several areas of competition, including Private Interview, Lifestyle and Fitness, Talent, Evening Gown and On-Stage Question.
Autumn has been competing in pageants since the age of 16 months, and has held several titles: 2003 Barnesville Pumpkin Festival Mini Miss, 2010 Ohio State Sunburst Pre-Teen Queen, 2011 Ohio State Fair Teen Queen, 2011 Barnesville Pumpkin Festival Queen, and 2014 Miss Ohio State Fair.
For the talent portion of competitions, Autumn began with singing, but now usually dances – tap or lyrical dance.
Autumn enjoyed her freshman year as a Muskie and encourages incoming students to “Be you! College is really a time to find who you are and who you want to be and let those goals be heard.”