33 contestants have their eyes set on a Miss Mississippi crown this week in Vicksburg.
Beginning Wednesday, each participant will go through a litany of judged events, contests, and trials for the right to be the winner at the end of the four-day competition.
While many casual viewers across the Magnolia State will tune in simply to see who will replace 2024 Miss Mississippi Becky Williams, Mary Margaret Edney, press chair for the competition, says the organization is more than just a contest.
“I think the Miss Mississippi organization is special for several reasons. It’s a lot more than [a pageant],” Edney said. “It’s really about showcasing the future leaders of this state. The women are really becoming – through this program – strong, well-rounded, service-driven representatives of our state.”
98 years ago, Miss America became one of the first nationwide pageant competitions in the world. It was the first in the U.S. to include a talent portion. This week, the delegates will exhibit skills from singing and spoken word poetry to baton twirling and dancing. It’s a unique opportunity for the 33 Mississippians to showcase the state’s rich cultural heritage.
Beyond the talent portion, on-stage and private interviews, and fitness segments, much of the focus is centered on charity. Each participant chooses a service initiative personal to them, and Edney says the charitable causes have a wide-ranging effect on Mississippi year-round.
Just a few of the nonprofits highlighted this week include adoption services, cancer patient care, and mental health.
“It makes a tremendous impact on our state,” Edney continued. “Those service initiatives are all so different and so personal. It’s so much more than checking a box, because they get to choose their own because it really means a lot to them. I think it shows.”
Whoever wears the crown will advance to the Miss America competition and will have the opportunity to showcase their talents, service initiative, and more on a national stage.
The rigorous journey to reach that level began many years ago for each participant, with the latest being winning a local pageant to qualify for a trip to Vicksburg. A “whirlwind” of tests will begin Wednesday with the evening wear and talent categories in the preliminary rounds.
The last 10 contestants will compete in Saturday’s finale. As always, each stage, and especially the final stage, will be marked by an abundance of fanfare and celebration. The 2024 production was nominated for an Emmy, something Edney says takes a village to pull off with such quality and scale.
Each preliminary night will begin at 7 p.m. from Wednesday through Friday, with the final beginning on at 8 p.m. on Saturday. The competition will be broadcast live online, while the final stage will be televised WMC Bounce (Memphis), WTVA, WLBT, WTOK, WDAM, and WLOX.
