Local Mississippian named the “biggest loser” 12-15-2010

MISSISSIPPI NATIVE IS CROWNED AMERICA'S "BIGGEST LOSER". PATRICK HOUSE, A BRANDON NATIVE AND VICKSBURG RESIDENT, WAS ONE OF THREE CONTESTANTS VYING TO BE THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER.  house, 28, STARTED THE COMPETITION AT 400 POUNDS. AFTER SIX MONTHS OF HARD WORK, HOUSE ENDED THE COMPETITION AT 219 POUNDS, DROPPING A TOTAL OF 181 POUNDS. "I WAS SERIOUSLY DOWN ON MY LUCK. I LOST MY JOB IN JANUARY. I'VE BEEN HAVING TO BORROW MONEY FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS JUST TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS YEAR," SAID HOUSE. "SO WINNING THIS MONEY IS REALLY TO HELP GET MY FAMILY BACK ON OUR FEET AND I COULDN'T BE MORE HAPPIER." THE WINNER OF THE "BIGGEST LOSER" RECEIVED A $250,000 GRAND PRIZE. PATRICK HOUSE HAS BEEN OFFERED A JOB AT THE MINDSTREAM ACADEMY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, WHICH IS A SCHOOL SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN JANUARY THAT SPECIALIZES IN HELPING OVERWEIGHT TEENS.