10 Most-Beautiful Finalist: Kris Miller

Age: 27

Occupation: registered nurse, cardiovascular research nurse

Background: Kris was born and raised in 417-land and lives in Springfield (or Springvegas, as she calls it) with her son, Ethan.

Tell us why you love 417-land.

Springfield has a big heart; I have found in my experiences that smiles come easily here in 417-land. Most people are more than willing to help out their fellow brother. While I have a strong desire to travel the world and meet all people of every culture Springfield will always be my home. The rolling Ozarks hills and beautiful rivers combined with the open, loving nature of its residents prove to be a perfect place to raise my little boy. Someone once told me we are nothing but a reflection of the ones we surround ourselves with. I believe that!

Tell us about your community involvement and volunteering. (Please tell us what organizations you’re involved in, what you do to participate and how long you’ve been doing it.)

In January, I signed up with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training or TNT. I am training for the Rock ’n’ Roll marathon June 1 in San Diego. This means I am engaged in training for an endurance race of 26.2 miles, and I am actively raising monies for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The society sets the TNT participants with a fundraising goal and provides us with a marathon coach. With the help of some of my closest friends on March 14, we organized a charity luau that included donations from business all over Springfield and Branson for our silent auction. We collected more than $1,500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at this event.

What makes your community involvement worthwhile?

Albert Einstein had it right when he said “Only a life lived for others is a life worth living.” God has not only blessed me with a healthy mind and body but with an amazing son and steadfast loyal friends. In return I want to give back in every way that I can. Being involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has been a life-changing experience. I have had the opportunity to raise awareness and money for the disease that so many are battling, and I am forming bonds with others that I’m sure will last a lifetime. I have the honor of running in the memory of my dear friends dad Gregory L. Mohr; he passed away of Leukemia in 1995. I don’t believe in chance encounters in life. You never know when you will have an opportunity to affect another individual’s life.

Hobbies (Go ahead; list them all! And tell us why you love them.)

While I am a cardiovascular research nurse, my passion is alternative medicine. I am also the wellness coordinator at Rejuvenation, a journey to a new you. At Rejuvenation we offer the latest alternative health treatments that help eliminate toxins, slow the aging process and increase your body’s natural ability to heal itself.

I also have a newfound love for running (thanks, coach)! On a serious note, I have learned to push past the pain of distance running and now really enjoy my long runs. Running is a huge stress relief and something I now crave.

Anything outdoors: 417-land is perfect for floating, camping and hiking. There’s something refreshing and energizing about being in nature.

I really enjoy a good book, preferably non-fiction. I just finished The Four Agreements and before that Eat, Pray, Love. I recommend both very highly!

Last, but certainly not least, there’s my little boy. He has the wisdom in his eyes of an 80-year-old and a never-ending smile! He reminds me of the good that is left in this world and why I want to make a difference with this life I’ve been given. He’s not my hobby, but I didn’t know where else to put this.

Are you involved in any professional organizations? (What are they, what’s your role, and how long have you been doing it?)

I am currently a BSN student at Southwest Baptist University. I will be graduating in May 2009 with plans for graduate school.

What’s something that might surprise us about you? (Or a story you love to tell.)

I suppose the thing that surprises people most about me is I don’t watch television. Period. Partly because I lead a very busy life and partly because there’s mostly junk on. I am really out of touch, and I mean that. I haven’t seen anything in the last three-plus years. I keep up the news via paper. Whenever I do have free time (what is that?), I just prefer to read.