Lamar Alumna SpotlightSela Ward, Lamar School CO’73

Author: Georgia Collins

Who is Sela Ward? Sela is nothing but one of the greatest actors to come out of Mississippi let alone Meridian. Sela graduated from Lamar in 1973. After school, she decided to further her education at the University of Alabama with studies of fine arts and advertising. She was very involved on campus as she was a cheerleader for the Crimson Tide, a member of Chi Omega sorority and was Homecoming queen in 1977. She received her Bachelor's degree in 1977 and quickly moved to the Big Apple to pursue her degree of advertising. One door closes and another one opens, she didn't have much luck with that but knew it would help her and her career if she modeled. Sela signed with Wilhelmina Agency. Her modeling career was successful as she appeared in many advertisements such as Pepsi and Maybelline. After her career took flight, she moved to Los Angeles and scored her first television role in Emerald Point N.A.S. and shortly after made her debut into movies, acting in The Man Who Loved A Woman. She continued to grow and grow starring in the six season show Sisters and other great shows such as CSI, and so on. She was big but not too big to help her community. The actress came back to the small town we call home and made great improvements such as creating a shelter for foster kids in Meridian, Hope Village. Sela is not just an actress, she is a loving mother, devoted wife, gorgeous stylist and a grounded creator. Her favorite role was Once and Again and she loved it so much because, “ I felt like I finally got to fly as an actress.” That was her first big role, and she felt like her career was finally off the ground. Ward is taking it slow as of right now and enjoying her days with her family in New York.