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Rebecca Sentell Tosses First Pitch at Mississippi Braves Game


MC graduate Rebecca Sentell, the 2017 Ms. Wheelchair Mississippi

Rebecca Sentell remains a huge fan of the Mississippi Braves. The 2017 Ms. Wheelchair Mississippi pageant winner is thrilled to toss the first pitch at Trustmark Park on May 25.

Her throw from the mound that Thursday night offers an opportunity for Sentell to showcase her campaign to transform lives for people with disabilities. The MBRAVES face Pensacola starting at 7 p.m. that evening. 

Winning the state pageant title in March, the Mississippi College graduate has a platform titled “All About the Journey.” It’s a theme she will promote all the way to her appearance at the national pageant in Eire, Pennsylvania. The event in the Keystone State is booked for August 14-20.

The Madison resident strives to educate healthcare professionals on methods to create inclusive facilities for disabled people.

Rebecca Heath Sentell refuses to let Spina Bifida stand in her way. It’s a birth defect where the bones of the spine don’t properly form around a baby’s spinal cord. There are fewer than 200,000 cases reported around the USA each year.

At the 7,000-seat home of the Mississippi Braves in Pearl, Sentell will also celebrate her 33rd birthday. Trustmark Park is the perfect place for the party on May 25. It will also be Mississippi College Night as the Southern League team offers discounts on some ticket prices to fans with MC ID cards.

“Throwing the first pitch at the MBRAVES game is awesome!” Sentell said Wednesday. “It is something I’ve always wanted to do and now I’m able to do it on MC Night.”

She’s proud to represent the Ms. Wheelchair Mississippi organization and Mississippi College.

Rebecca is really passionate about baseball. “I played softball for 15 years in the Challenger League. I love the MBRAVES. I go to every home game that I am able to.”

The Mississippian earned her bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College in 2010. She received a master’s in addiction counseling from the Baptist-affiliated university in 2014. While attending MC, Rebecca met and married Leland Sentell.

Her career is another passion. Rebecca works as an employment counselor at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitative Services. She helps people with intellectual disabilities find jobs.

Sentell is a member of New Life Baptist Church. Her accomplishments include winning the Living Independence for Everyone of Mississippi lifetime achievement award. Rebecca serves as treasurer of the LIFE Youth Board of Directors.

Her faith remains an important part of her life. The Lord “put me in a position where I will be able to make a great impact and change for Mississippians with disabilities.”

Sentell continues to raise funds for her trip to the national pageant. She needs a little more than $1,146 to reach her goal of $4,000 for the expenses of her trip to the Pennsylvania pageant this summer. She’s set up a GoFundMe account on Facebook.

“I am very thankful to all my friends and family who have supported me financially,” Rebecca said.

A former Ms. Wheelchair Mississippi, MC graduate Lauren Compere of Madison believes her friend, Rebecca, will do a fabulous job representing the Magnolia State at the upcoming pageant.