Miss Mississippi

TOPICLOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR C2 | WEDDINGS C3

Karen Gamble, managing editor | E-mail: [email protected] | Tel: 601.636.4545 ext 137

THE VICKSBURG POST

S U N D A Y, J U N e 24, 2012 • S E C T I O N C

THIS & THATfrom staff reports

By Terri Cowart [email protected]

Three Vicksburg women will be on the stage this week during the annual Miss Missis-sippi competition, and Executive Direc-tor David Blackledge thinks it might be the first time.

Miss Central Mississippi Elyssa Lassiter, Miss University of South-ern Mississippi Grace Claire Cordes and Miss Vicksburg Jeralyn Stuart, are among the 42 women vying for the title beginning Monday with the crowning June 30.

Lassiter, who competed in the Miss Mississippi Pageant last year as Miss Vicksburg, said she feels more comfort-able in all phases of the com-petition for this year’s pageant.

“Last year I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “I feel more relaxed and comfortable and I’m not focusing on a mold of what I think they want.”

Lassiter said she is planning to look at the judges as friends and not be a “bottle of nerves.”

Lassiter plans to per-form the same flute solo she did in last year’s pageant, but said she has added a few more “runs in the piece of music.”

She is the 23-year-old daughter of Dr. Ethel Las-siter and is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College and has a master’s degree from Mississippi Col-lege. She hopes to one day obtain a doctoral degree and work as a video journalist.

For Stuart and Cordes, best friends since first grade, this is the first time they have competed in the Miss Mississippi Pageant.

Stuart is the daughter of Jerry and Shirley Stuart, and Cordes is the daughter of Dr. Dale and Lyn Cordes.

Stuart said she has been doing a lot of mental preparations to ready herself for the pageant, which includes keeping a journal, praying and talking to her mom and friends.

She also said she has done four to five mock interviews, a lot of

working out and shopping.

Stuart, who plans to sing

in the competition, said, “I’ve been practicing

for the talent portion of the pageant by singing at church.”

Stuart is a 19-year-old student at the University of Mississippi, where she is a biology major. She plans to become a doctor.

Cordes, who also plans to sing, said she spends an hour a day practicing her vocals. She said she also is keeping an eye on current events and working out to keep physically fit.

“I’ve learned to pace myself to reach my special

• Parade — 7 p.m. Monday along Washington Street.

• Competition — 8 p.m. Wednes-day- Saturday at Vicksburg Con-vention Center; $125 for four nights; $30 each for Wednesday and Thursday, $40 for Friday, $50 for Saturday.• Miss Mississippi Awards Ball — Saturday after crowning; Vicksburg Auditorium; $20.• Autograph parties — Monday night after parade at Outlets at Vicksburg; 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at Geogre Carr Motor Company on South Frontage Road; 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday at various mer-chants in downtown Vicksburg.• Judges workshop — 10 a.m. at convention center, Saturday.• Tickets — 601-638-6746.www.missmississippipageant.org.

On TV and onlineThe pageant will be shown at 8 p.m. Saturday in a live broadcast on WLBT. A webcast will run on www.missmississippi-pageant.com. Also fol-low the pageant at www.vicksburg-post.com and on Twitter by search-ing @MissM-SPag-eant.

Three from River City vie for the crownMiss University of

Southern Missis-sippi Grace

Claire Cordes

Miss Vicks-

burg Jer-alyn Stuart

Miss Central Mississippi

Elyssa Lassiter

Eli Baylis•The Vicksburg PosT

BrEndEn nEvillE•The Vicksburg PosT

See Pageant, Page C2.

Junior Auxiliaryreceives award

The Junior Auxiliary of Vicksburg is the 2011-2012 recipient of the Efficiency Award for maintaining national standards of achievement.

The Efficiency Award was created to recognize administrative excellence among chapters who meet various filing and report-ing deadlines throughout the year according to the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries.

Benefit for artistto buy FEMA trailer

A benefit is scheduled July 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Firehouse Gallery, 1204 Main St., to help pur-chase a FEMA trailer for local artist Earl Simmons who lost his home and art workshop in a fire June 2.

The event will include music and a silent auction with more than 15 works of art donated from art-ists, including locals Ken-nith Humphrey, Jean Blue and Simmons. Anyone interested in donating, art pieces will be accepted through Thursday. For information call 601-638-9221.

SCHC hosts eventsthroughout July

The Southern Cultural Heritage Center will host events in July ranging from dance lessons to art and cooking workshops at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, 1302 Adams St. For information call 601-631-2997 or email [email protected]

Ballroom dance les-sons will be hosted by Applause Dance Factory owner James Frechette, July 8 and 22 from 5 to 6 p.m. July’s dance is “The Rumba.” Cost is $10.

A 4-day portrait-draw-ing workshop will be hosted by Jerrod Par-tridge July 9-12 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $180 for members and $190 for nonmembers and includes supplies.

The kids fun and healthy-cooking work-shop for ages 8-12 will be hosted by William Furlong July 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $35.

A jellies and jams can-ning workshop will be hosted by William Fur-long July 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $35 for members and $40 for non-members.

A Southern garden floral design workshop will be presented by Geni Fulcher July 23 and Aug. 14, free and open to the public.

The Hobbs Freeman Arts and Nature Visual Art Competition will be judged by Andy Young and Ron Lindsey. Submis-sions are due July 16 with an exhibit scheduled July 19 at 6:30 p.m.

CelticFest Mississippicelebrates 21st year

The 21st annual Celt-icFest Mississippi is planned Sept. 7 from 7 p.m. to midnight and Sept. 8-9 from 10 a.m. to midnight on the grounds of the Agricultural Museum in Jackson.

The cost is $15 for an adult weekend pass, $10 for seniors, $5 for ages 5-17 and $1 for younger than 4. For more information, visit www.CelticFestMS.org.

MissMississippi

C2 Sunday, June 24, 2012 The Vicksburg Post

PageantContinued from Page C1.

goal,” she said Cordes was diagnosed with

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthri-tis when she was 10, and said she has achieved a personal goal of running up to three miles making her joints stronger.

Cordes is a 20-year-old stu-dent at the University of Southern Mississippi and

is pursuing a vocal perfor-mance and music educa-tion degree with plans to one day earn a DMA in vocal performance.

Not only have the three women been preparing to compete in the Miss Missis-sippi competition, they have also been actively involved in helping promote their

platforms.Lassiter is a certified

Zumba fitness instructor and hip hop aerobics teacher and has been teaching exer-cise classes at Wyatt’s gym in Vicksburg and at Hinds in Utica. Her platform is “Lets B.O.O.G.I.E.!” (Banish Our Obesity Growth through Ini-tiating Exercise).

Stuart has been fundrais-ing for her platform, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospi-tal, by making quilts that she plans to sell with the pro-ceeds going to the hospital.

Cordes is planning a ben-efit concert with Hattiesburg musicians for the Founda-tion of Music Educators in Hattiesburg. Proceeds will

go toward her platform, Sup-porting Music Education in Schools.

This year’s pageant fea-tures 42 women 22 new and 20 returning. E vents kick off Monday with a downtown parade followed by an auto-graph party at the Outlets at Vicksburg. Preliminary competition runs Wednesday

through Friday at the con-vention center, with a winner crowned Saturday night in a live, televised broadcast. The winner will advance to the Miss America Pageant in January.

local happeningsin town

Vicksburg Farmers’ Market 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 8-11 a.m. Saturdays through July 28; Washington and Jackson streets.

2012 Heritage Music Series• Milt Hinton Memorial Jazz Concert7 p.m. Saturday; free; The Ron Myers Group; Coral Room, 801 Clay St.• Red White & Blues honoring Willie DixonFriday-July4; Fourth of July performances throughout Vicksburg • Hank Jones Memorial Jazz Concert7 p.m. July 31; free; The Ron Myers Group; Coral Room, 801 Clay St.• Jericho Road Show7 p.m. Aug. 31; $20; Ramblin’ Steve Gardner & Bill Steber; Coral Room, 801 Clay St.• Dexter Allen8 p.m. Dec. 31; $75; B’nai B’rith Literary Club, 721 Clay. St.

Southern Cultural Heritage CenterThe annual Vicksburg Multicultural Arts Camp: 8 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday for ages 6-12; $50; Beginners stained glass workshop: 5:50-7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; the Rev. Mark Bleakley, instructor; $160 members, $170 nonmembers; basic supplies included; reservations required; Hobbs Freeman Arts and Nature Visual Art competition: July 2- 16 entries accept-ed; 6:30 p.m. July 19 exhibit and judging, SCHC; three entries per person for age categories 6 and younger, 7-12, 13-18 and adult; www.hobbsfreemanartsand nature.com/competitions.html; Four-day portrait-drawing workshop; 9 a.m.-noon-July 9-12; Jerrod Partridge, instructor; $180 members, $190 non-members; supplies included; Canning Workshop: 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 24; William Furlong, instructor; $35 members, $40 nonmembers; reservations required; River Kids after-school art program: 4-5:15 p.m. Thursdays beginning Aug.30; free; for grades 1-6; Karen Biendenharn and Regina Renot, instructors; limit 60 students; For information, contact 601-631-2997, email [email protected], or visit www.southernculture.org.

Vicksburg Theatre GuildPerformances: “West Side Story” 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17-18, Aug. 24-25 and 2 p.m. Aug. 19 and 26; Tickets for main-stage plays: $12 for adults, $10 for 55 and older, $7 for students and $5 for younger than 12; tickets for “Gold in the Hills,” and other shows vary; Contact: Parkside Playhouse, 101 Iowa Ave.; 601-636-0471 or www.vicksburgtheatreguild.com.

Warren County Extension Office one-day computer classesComputer classes: Dr. John Giesemann, instructor; $20, prereg-istration required; Data Management in Excel, July 11-12; Pow-erpoint, Aug. 8-9; Photos in Powerpoint, Sept. 6-7; Microsoft Publisher, Oct. 17-18; File and Folder Management, Nov. 14-15; 1100 C Grove St., 601-636-5442, [email protected].

out of townRed white and Jackson11 a.m.-1 p.m. Smith Park and 7-9 p.m. Old Capitol Green Thurs-day; free; includes live entertainment, food, vendors, crafts and fireworks display; 601-948-7575, [email protected].

Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts The Mississippi Arts Commission is seeking nominations for the 2013 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts; 5 p.m. Friday deadline; 601-359-6032, www.arts.state.ms.us, for nomination forms.

BodyWorks training program9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 27 and Sept. 17; MSDH Central office, 570 E. Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson; “train the trainer” course to help improve family eating and activity habits; free; registration required, www.HealthyMS.com/bodyworks; 1-800-721-7222, www.HealthyMS.com.

for kids

Mississippi Children’s MuseumStoryland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites; traveling exhibit celebrating children’s books; through Aug. 29, 2145 Highland Drive, Jackson; museum admission, $8, free for 1 and under; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday; www.mississip-pichildrensmuseum.com.

nightlifeBeechwood Restaurant & Lounge4451 Clay St., 601-636-3761On stage, with a cover charge, at 9:15 p.m.: • Easy Eddie — Friday and Saturday.• Dr. Zarr — July 7.• Snazz — July 13-14.• Back Forty — July 20-21.• Trey Hawkins — July 27-28.

Ameristar Casino4116 Washington St.601-638-1000, www.ameristar.comFree at Cabaret Lounge:• Doug Allen — Variety; Friday-Saturday. • Sinamon Leaf — Variety; July 6-7.• Nu Corp — R&B/Variety; July 13-14.• Oliver’s Twist — R&B/ Variety; July 20-21.• Memphis All Stars — Variety; July 27-28.Free at Bottleneck Bar:• Double Down VJ; DJ/Dance — Fridays and Saturdays• Summertime Blues Festival — 4-7 p.m. Sundays• Heavy Sugah & the Sweet Tones — Today.• Willie Dixon Memorial Tribute — July 1.

• Adib Sabir & Deeb Blues — July 8.• David Dunavent & Evol Love — July 15.• Leaf River — July 22.• Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry — July 29.

Eddie Monsour’s at the Biscuit Company1100 Washington St., 601-638-1571• 8-11 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays — Karaoke.• 8 p.m. Wednesdays — Biscuit & Jam; open mic.• Thursdays — Ladies night.

Jacques’ Cafe at Battlefield Inn4137 N. Frontage Road, 601-661-6264

• 9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday — Karaoke.

LD’s Kitchen1111 Mulberry St., 601-636-9838• 8:30 p.m. second and fourth Tuesday — Central Mississippi Blues Society Band, local artists; free.• 8:30 p.m. first and third Tuesday — Soul Unlimited and Sounds Unlimited; free.

Roca Restaurant & Bar127 Country Club Drive, 601-638-0800• 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays — Ben Shaw.

The Upper End Lounge1306 Washington St., 601-634-8333With a $3 cover charge:• 7-11 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays — Karaoke.• 7-9 p.m. Thursdays — Ladies night.• 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays — D.J.

Fun Time Summer Camp8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday through July 27 at Jackson Street Community Center, 1023 Walnut St.; free; registration through Wednesday; 601-634-4514.

Child and Parent Center Summer Enrichment CampThrough Friday; for ages 13-17 at the Americorps Campus; 601-634-0557.

Playland Fun Camp 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and July 16-20 at The Vicks-burg Mall; 7:30 a.m. drop off; sessions include daily lessons by teachers, a pizza day and waterslide day; $115, lunch and snack included; www.playlandfun.com

Kicks for Hope 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Citadel and the “Fuzzy” Johnson ball park, Mission 66; summer soccer camp for un-derprivileged children ages 6-14, sponsored by the Salvation Army; camp includes crafts, vacation Bible school, lunches and nutritional snakes; free to qualified children; 601-636-2706.

Can’t Stop Singing!8 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday at Warren Central High School; show choir camp for first-eighth-graders; $90; 601-638-5122 ext. 160.

Summer Enrichment Program7:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Monday-Friday through July 20 at Kings Empowerment Center, 224 R.L. Chase Circle; includes sports, arts and crafts, academics and field trips; free lunch; cost TBA; 601-634-4788, 601-634-4756.

Vicksburg Multicultural Arts Camp 8 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday at 1302 Adams St.; for ages 6-12; $50; 601-631-2997, [email protected], www.southern-culture.org.

YMCA Summer Fun CampThrough Aug. 7 for ages 5-12 at the Purks Y, 267 YMCA Place and VerBeck Branch YMCA, 1884 Oak Ridge Road; $80 mem-bers, $90 nonmembers per week; 601-638-1071.

Girl Scouts of Greater MississippiDay camps and 3- and 5-day residential camps; for girls who have completed kindergarten through the 11th grade;www.gsgms.org

Bowhunters archery camp From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Tuesday at Camp Wilkerson, off Oak Ridge Road; for archers of all ages; basic archery skills and bowhunting; must bring their own equipment; $80; Delta Outfitters, 601-618-8038, 601-629-4417, or 318-805-5911.

Mount Carmel summer enrichment programFrom 8 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday through Friday until July 27; 2015 Grove St.; for grades 1-8; offering reading and math en-richment exercises; $50 per week, $30 registration fee; 601-638-9015 or 601-218-7465.

Art at Heart1-4 p.m. July 9-13 at 1915-D Mission 66; includes painting, printing and textiles for ages 7 and older; 601-415-9592, www.artatheart.webs.com.

SUMMER CAMPS

Beauty queen who shaved head wins Miss AlaskaANCHORAGE, Alaska

(AP) — Just three months ago, Debbe Ebben had no hair. On June 16 she was crowned Miss Alaska.

Ebben shaved her head in March to raise more than $4,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which donates money for childhood cancer research. She said she did it to let children who lost their hair because of cancer treat-ments know that it is OK to be bald.

Choosing her words care-fully, she said losing one’s hair should be special — whether it’s voluntary or not.

“I wanted to put meaning

and emotion behind it, and let them know why I’m doing it — for the kids,” she said. “I’m

not shaving it to get attention. I’m not shaving it for public-ity. I’m not shaving it because it’s a really easy hairstyle to go with. I’m shaving it for them.”

Ebben’s brown hair had grown back to a pixie cut by the time she became the state’s top beauty queen last weekend, but she says she will likely keep her hair short when she represents Alaska at the Miss America pageant in January 2013.

“I’ll let it do its thing for a while,” she said, laughing. “I’ll consult the hair stylist before I go down.”

Ebben was the reigning Miss

Chugiak-Eagle River when she picked St. Baldrick’s for the public service project that is required of all Miss Alaska pageant contestants. Baldrick’s gets its name from a combination of the words “bald” and “St. Patrick.” The organization was founded by three insurance executives who turned a St. Patrick’s Day party into a head-shav-ing event to help children with cancer.

Ebben said she got a feel of what the children go through.

“Like children who are fight-ing cancer, losing my hair was a really emotional experience,

and something I hope they only have to go through once in their life,” she said.

As she approached the Miss Alaska pageant, she had to decide whether to keep the look. Her drastic haircut had been done in honor of a child, and she decided to let her hair grow back, so that the hair-cut wouldn’t be mistaken for a gimmick.

“I don’t want to be branded as the ‘bald beauty queen,”’ she said.

She’s had two haircuts since March, and her hair is 2 inches at its longest.

In the upcoming year, she said, she plans to work with

St. Baldrick’s and Headbands of Hope, which donates a spandex headband to a sick child and $1 to St. Baldrick’s for every headband it sells.

Bonnie Faulk, director of the Miss Alaska Scholarship Foundation, calls Ebben the epitome of the standards and values of the program.

“We are elated to have this young woman serve us,” Faulk said. “She has worked harder than many, many, many con-testants in many years.”

Ebben said her road to Miss Alaska has “been a long journey.”

Miss Chugiak-Eagle River Debbe Ebben

Miss MississippiKaren Gamble, managing editor | E-mail: [email protected] | Tel: 601.636.4545 ext 137

THE ViCKsBURG pOsT

S U N D A Y, J U N e 24, 2012 • S E C T I O N D

By Terri Cowart [email protected]

Forty-two women will vie for the 2012 Miss Mississippi crown as the pageant celebrates its 55th year in Vicksburg.

The weeklong event begins today as contestants arrive. The annual down-town parade is planned for Monday night. Contestants on Wednesday will begin the three nights of preliminary competition leading up to Saturday night’s live televised pageant, during which the top 10 will be named and a winner will represent the state in the Miss America Pageant 2013 scheduled for January.

Other events throughout the week include autograph opportunities and a Miss Mississippi Awards Ball after the crowning.

Contestants ages 17-24 are divided into three groups for preliminary competition, which consists of private interview, talent, evening wear with on-stage question and swimwear.

This year’s pageant features 22 first-time and 20 returning contestants. Eleven of the returning contestants are competing for the second time, four for the third time, four for the fourth time and one will be retuning for the fifth time. Forty-five women competed in the 2011 pageant.

The theme for this year’s show is Once Upon a Crown and will fea-ture some of the state’s past reign-ing queens. Amy Jackson, producer for the show, said that 14 former Miss Mississippis are scheduled to make appearances throughout the week, and some will perform in the production.

Those expected to participate are 1957 Miss Mississippi Mary Imogene Allen, 1962 Charlotte Ann Carroll, 1978 Cheri Brown, 1980 Donna Pope, 1981 Karen Hopson, 1988 Carla Haag, 1992 Kandace Williams, 1993 Lenena Holder, 2000 Christy May, 2002 Jenni-fer Adcock, 2003, Allison Kellogg, 2005 Kristian Dambrino, 2006 Taryn Foshee and 2010 Sarah Beth James.

Hosting this year’s show are Dietz Osbourne, a Nashville, Tenn., per-former, and 2009 Miss Kentucky Mal-lory Ervin, who was fourth runner-up to Miss America 2010.

A webcast can be viewed at www.missmississippipageant.com, and on Twitter.

The first Miss Mississippi was crowned in 1934 in Biloxi and four women from Mississippi have been crowned Miss America — Mary Ann Mobley of Brandon in 1959, Lynda Lee Mead of Natchez in 1960, Cheryl Pre-witt of Ackerman in 1980 and Susan Akin of Meridian in 1986.

If you goMiss Mississippi Pageant activi-ties will run this week. for tickets or information, call 601-638-6746 or visit www.missmississippipag-eant.org. • Monday — 7 p.m. parade along Washington Street, followed by autograph party at the outlets at Vicksburg.• Wednesday — 8 p.m. prelimi-nary competition at VCC, $30; tickets for all four nights, $125. • Thursday — 8 p.m. preliminary competition at VCC, $30.• Friday — 8 p.m. preliminary competition at VCC, $40.• Saturday— 10 a.m., Judges Workshop, at VCC. 8 p.m. final competition and crowning at VCC, $50; Miss Missis-sippi Awards Ball after crowning, at Vicksburg Auditorium, $20.

on TV And onlIneThe pageant will be shown at 8 p.m. Saturday in a live broadcast on WlBT. A webcast will run on www.missmississippipageant.com. Also follow the pageant at www.vicksburgpost.com and on Twitter by searching @MissMSPageant.

2011 - Mary Margaret Roark, Cleveland2010 - Sarah Beth James, Madison2009 - Anna Tadlock, Brandon2008 - Christine Kozlowski, d’Iberville2007 - Kimberly Morgan, Taylor2006 - Taryn foshee, Clinton2005 - Kristian dambrino, grenada2004 - Jalin Wood, Waynesboro2003 - Allison Kellogg, Madison2002 - Jennifer Adcock, Hattiesburg2001 - Becky Pruett, laurel2000 - Christy May, Pontotoc1999 - Heather Soriano, Philadelphia1998 - Melinda King, Waynesboro1997 - Myra Barginear, grenada1996 - Kari litton, Pontotoc1995 - Monica louwerens, greenville1994 - Rebecca Blouin, Batesville1993 - lenena Holder, Booneville1992 - Kandace Williams, Tupelo1991 - Missy Hurdle, Holly Springs

1990 - Beth Howell, Clinton1989 - Cherry Busby, Tupelo1988 - Carla Haag, Hattiesburg1987 - Toni Seawright, Moss Point1986 - Kimberly Mcguffee, Mendenhall*1985 - Susan Akin, Meridian1985 - nan Sumrall, Hattiesburg1984 - Kathy Manning, drew1983 - Wanda gayle geddie, Hattiesburg1982 - dianne evans, Taylorsville1981 - Karen Hopson, Vicksburg1980 - donna Pope, Mcneil*1979 - Cheryl Prewitt, Ackerman1979 - Sherye Simmons, Jackson1978 - Cheri Brown, Meridian1977 - Mary donnelly, oxford1976 - Bobbye Wood, Hattiesburg1975 - Mollie Magee, Mendenhall1974 - diane Bounds, gulfport1973 - Kathleen Ann Coole, gulfport1972 - glenda Cheryl Meadows, Richton

1971 - Jennifer Jo Blair, Tupelo1970 - Christine McClamroch, Columbus1969 - Jane Carol foshee, Hattiesburg1968 - Mary linda Mills, McComb1967 - Joan Stephanie Myers, forest1966 - Robbie Robertson, Hattiesburg1965 - Patricia Alice Puckett, Columbus1964 - Judy Simono, Vicksburg1963 - Jan nave, McComb1962 - Charlotte Ann Carroll, eupora1961 - Annice Jernigan, new Albany1960 - Patricia McRaney, McComb*1959 - lynda lee Mead, natchez1959 - Betty Jane Porter, Brookhaven*1958 - Mary Ann Mobley, Brandon1958 - Margie lou Wilson, Itta Bena1957 - Mary Imogene Allen, yazoo City1956 - Martha Tisdale, Hattiesburg1955 - Carolyn Cochran, lucedale1954 - Celest Hill luckett, Clarksdale1953 - Susan dugger, Picayune

1952 - dora lee livingston, yazoo City1951 - Jesse Wynn Morgan, newton1950 - Anie laurie Roberts, Hattiesburg1949 - Katherine Wright, Pascagoula1948 - Virginia Hollingsworth, Kosciusko1947 - Kitty Blevins Bailey, oxford1946 - lennie nobles, greenwood1945 - Harriet Jane Carr, Marks1944 - Sarah Ann Topp, Tupelo1943 - Arminta Scott, Corinth1942 - dorothy elizabeth fox, Columbus1941 - Madeline Theresa Smith, Winona1940 - Carolyn Simon, greenville1939 - doris Coggins, Baldwyn1938 - frances Carlisle Sykes, Aberdeen1937 - Virginia Helen Riley, West Point1936 - Rachel Ann Smith, Booneville1935 - lefrance Boyett, Sumner1934 - Madolyn Hardy, Belzoni

* - went on to become Miss AmericaSee page D7 for more information.

Race foR the cRown

Past Winners

42 women to begin questfor Miss Mississippi Monday

Sarah Beth James, 2010 Miss Mississippi, crowns Miss North Central Mississippi Mary Marga-ret Roark as the 2011 Miss Mississippi at the Vicksburg Convention Center on Saturday night, last summer.

filE•The Vicksburg PosT

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D2 Sunday, June 24, 2012 The Vicksburg Post

MISS CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI

M iss M iss i ss ippi 2012

Elyssa LassiterHometown: VicksburgAge: 23Talent; FlutePlatform: “Let’s B.O.O.G.I.E.! (Banish Our Obesity Growth through Initiat-ing Exercise)Biography: Lassiter graduated from Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and mass commu-nication. She received a master’s de-gree in applied communication from Mississippi College. She was included in Who’s Who Among American Col-leges and Universities, a Chancellor Scholar and on the dean’s list. She was a recipient of Guaranty Broad-casting and Capitol Correspondents Association Scholarships and ob-tained an internship at CNN Headline News in Atlanta.

MISS DEEP SOUTH

Kimberly Dianne Page


Hometown: EllisvilleAge: 19Talent: VocalPlatform: CareBooks: Healing the Small-est Among Us Through Children’s Litera-tureBiography: Page is a student at the Uni-versity of Southern Mississippi where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in polymer science. She is a student in the Honors College and is a Luckyday Schol-ar. In high school, she was in the Beta Club and a member of the show choir. Page is a member of the Delta Gamma sorority.

MISS DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Tori Jenkins


Hometown: Lawton, Okla.Age: 20Talent: DancePlatform: Children’s Miracle NetworkBiography: Jenkins is working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting at Delta State University. She served as senator for the Student Government As-sociation and as treasurer in 2011-2012. She was the recipient of the Lawton-Fort Sill Art Guild Scholarship and is a mem-ber of Kappa Pi International Honor-ary Art fraternity. Jenkins is a Delta Belle Dancer and is a member of the Phi Mu sorority.

MISS AMORY RAILROAD FESTIVAL


Ashley ForesterHometown: Holly SpringsAge: 22Talent: VocalPlatform: Service for SightBiography: Forester is working toward a Master of Education in clinical mental health at the University of Mississippi. She is a member of the Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society, Psi Chi National Honor Society, Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and Delta Gamma sorority. She is also an Ole Miss Ambassador, a Dewees Alumni Scholar, a D.A.R. Scholar and a Luckyday Scholar.

MISS CLINTON

Jamie Shannon Ferguson


Hometown: ClintonAge: 18Talent: VocalPlatform: You Are LovedBiography: Ferguson plans to attend Mis-sissippi College. She was a member of the Mississippi All-State Honor Choir for six years and won first alternate and talent in Clinton’s Distinguished Young Woman 2012 competition. She was Miss Clinton’s Outstanding Teen in 2011 and placed in the top 10 and was awarded the Wayne J. Sutter Memorial Scholarship. Ferguson serves as a youth representative on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee at Wells United Methodist Church.

MISS DELTA BLUES

Ashley Hamby


Hometown: MadisonAge: 19Talent: DancePlatform: Moving Toward a Cure for Parkin-son’sBiography: Hamby is a student at Mississip-pi State University majoring in communica-tion with an emphasis in broadcasting. She is a member of Phi Mu sorority. She placed in the top 10 at the 2010 Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Pageant and was a non-finalist talent winner in the 2011 Miss Missis-sippi Pageant. One of Hamby’s dreams is to skydive in her wedding dress.

MISS DIXIE

Marie Wicks


Hometown: Ocean SpringsAge: 22Talent: PianoPlatform: eyeS.T.A.R.-Eyesight To All Re-gionsBiography: Wicks is majoring in French and international studies with a minor in chemistry at the University of Missis-sippi. She was inducted into the 2012 Ole Miss Hall of Fame, was the winner of the Young Writer’s Competition for the Lon-don-based literary journal “Slightly Foxed Quarterly” and a member of Phi Beta Kap-pa and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. She is a Newman Scholar, Croft Scholar and is in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.

MISS DOGWOOD FESTIVAL

Laken HoodHometown: Blue SpringsAge: 22Talent: VocalPlatform: Coasters for the CureBiography: Hood graduated from the Uni-versity of Mississippi with a degree in bi-ology and a minor in psychology. She is a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and was a Diamond Girl for the Ole Miss baseball team. At Itawamba Communi-ty College, Hood was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, was selected to the Hall of Fame, and was an Indian Delegation member.


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The Vicksburg Post Sunday, June 24, 2012 D3

MISS HEARTLAND

Anna Beth HigginbothamHometown: HattiesburgAge: 20Talent: VocalPlatform: “Power Up and Play Hard!” Healthy Lifestyles for KidsBiography: Higginbotham is a student at the University of Mississippi where she is majoring in journalism. She is the recipi-ent of a Competitive Edge Scholarship and is an Ole Miss Ambassador. She is serv-ing as the philanthropy chairman of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was named Forrest County’s Junior Miss and was second alter-nate to Mississippi’s Junior Miss.


MISS HISTORIC SOUTH

Jessica TerrillHometown: StarkvilleAge: 21Talent: PianoPlatform: First BookBiography: Terrill is studying broadcast-ing and public relations at Mississippi State University. She is a president’s and dean’s list scholar and is part of the Alpha Lamda Delta and Phi Kappa Phi honor so-cieties. She served as producer for the uni-versity’s “ThisWeek@MSSTATE” and was chosen as a student broadcaster for MSU’s Bagley College of Engineering.


MISS JONES COUNTY


Hometown: LaurelAge: 20Talent: PianoPlatform: Take Care of Your HeartBiography: Ashley is studying English lit-erature at Mississippi College. She is a presi-dent’s list scholar, a member of the Alpha Chi Leadership Society, Omicron Delta Kap-pa, Mortar Board and Mississippi College Scouts. She has served as the class secretary for the Student Government Association and is serving as a Junior Senator.

Danielle Ashley

MISS HATTIESBURG

Arrielle Marie DaleHometown: MeridianAge: 18Talent: VocalPlatform: Leaping the Scales Smoke FreeBiography: Dale is attending the Univer-sity of Southern Mississippi where she is majoring in theater with a minor in dance. In high school she was involved with the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, a member of the student government and a member of social service clubs. She has performed in the Rose Theater in New York.


MISS HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Lindsey Claire MuseHometown: RaymondAge: 20Talent: DancePlatform: The Purple Reader ProjectBiography: Muse is studying business ad-ministration at Hinds Community College. She is a President’s Scholar, received ACT, Luckyday and Heritage scholarships, and was selected to Who’s Who Among Stu-dents in American Community and Junior Colleges. Muse was Mississippi’s National American Miss Top Model, Miss Teen Metro Jackson, Miss Teen Deep South and Miss Ju-nior Teen Metro Jackson.


MISS ITAWAMBA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Randi Kathryn HarmonHometown: AmoryAge: 19Talent: VocalPlatform: P.E.A.C.E. for Children (Physical Exercise And Careful Eating)Biography: Harmon is studying communi-cation with an emphasis in public relations at Itawamba Community College. She was awarded the Amory Pilot Club Scholarship, ICC Academic/Leadership Scholarship and the ICC Indian Delegation Scholarship, and was a top 10 finalist in the 2011 Miss Teen Mississippi USA pageant.


MISS LEAF RIVER VALLEY

Jerrilyn Lake


Hometown: HattiesburgAge: 22Talent: VocalPlatform: Dropout PreventionBiography: Lake graduated magna cum laude from Alcorn State University with a degree in English literature and is pursuing a Master of English Education degree. She was a dean’s list scholar, a member of the Na-tional Honor Society, selected for Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities and elected historian of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

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MISS MAGNOLIA

Makel Hutchins


Hometown: SaltilloAge: 18Talent: DancePlatform: Being an advocate and philan-thropist for Le Bonheur Children’s HospitalBiography: Hutchins graduated from Saltillo High School and served on the stu-dent council. She was on the Academic Honor Roll, selected to The National So-ciety of High School Scholars, received the United States Achievement Academy Award for Student Excellence in Leader-ship Merit Award and has danced with The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker.

MISS METRO JACKSON

Kennitra L. Thompson


Hometown: JacksonAge: 22Talent: DancePlatform: The Krown KlubBiography: Thompson is studying mass communication at Jackson State Univer-sity. She was Miss Black Mississippi USA in 2010 and was in the top 15 of Miss Black USA. She was Miss Junior Teen Jackson in 2004, third runner-up in Miss Junior Teen Cities of America 2005 and is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

MISS MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE

Taylor Townsend


Hometown: FlowoodAge: 19Talent: VocalPlatform: Human Trafficking AwarenessBiography: Townsend is studying pre-med at Mississippi College. She is a dean’s list scholar, an MC Scout and a member of the Revellion Show Choir. She was a re-cipient of the Leadership Scholarship and was selected for London Semester Study Abroad program. Townsend is a member of the Swannanoa Social Tribe.

MISS MADISON COUNTY

Chassidy Sumler


Hometown: FloraAge: 18Talent: VocalPlatform: Preventing Childhood ObesityBiography: Sumler is studying biology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. She was chosen by first lady Michelle Obama to speak alongside her and New-ark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker, on one of the first lady’s “Let’s Move” programs. Sumler also was chosen for the National Associa-tion of Collegiate Scholars.

MISS MERIDIAN

Bonnie Blue Dulaney


Hometown: CollinsvilleAge: 19Talent: PianoPlatform: Hands On Hearts: CPR Certifi-cationBiography: Dulaney is studying bio-medical engineering at Mississippi State University. She is a president’s list scholar, a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and the Shackhouls Hon-ors College. She was selected as a Jun-ior Panhellenic Delegate and is an MSU Roadrunner student recruiter. Dulaney is a member of the Phi Mu sorority.

MISS MID SOUTH

Caroline Conerly


Hometown: HattiesburgAge: 21Talent: VocalPlatform: Arts Education Advocacy and FundingBiography: Conerly is studying educa-tion at the University of Mississippi. She was the only recipient of the Bryce Mc-Mahan Leadership Scholarship and has been cast in theater productions at Ole Miss, including Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” and “Seussical.” She was a non-finalist talent winner at Miss Mississippi 2011.

MISS MISSISSIPPI DELTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Amanda Chandler


Hometown: LambertAge: 21Talent: VocalPlatform: Fighting the War Against Drug AddictionBiography: Chandler is studying nurs-ing at Mississippi Delta Community Col-lege. She received the MDCC Feigler Fam-ily Scholarship, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was elected president of the ADN Nursing Club for 2013. She was in Who’s Who Among High School Students and was the salutatorian of her graduat-ing class.

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MISS NATCHEZ TRACE

Chelsea RickHometown: FultonAge: 22Talent: VocalPlatform: H.U.N.G.E.R. Helping the Under-nourished in our Nation Gain Eating Re-sourcesBiography: Rick graduated from Millsaps College with a B.S. degree in biology with Honor Distinction and a minor in faith and work. She is in her first year of medical school at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her honors in-clude being selected for Who’s Who Among College Students in American Colleges and Universities, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Sigma Lambda and Beta Beta Beta, and a Lilly Fellow. Rick was a Miss Mississippi top 10 finalist in 2009 and 2010.


MISS NEW SOUTH

Jennifer Seymour


Hometown: D’IbervilleAge: 22Talent: DancePlatform: Soldier SupportBiography: Seymour is studying biomedi-cal sciences at the University of South Ala-bama. She is chapter president of Alpha Omicron Pi and is an ambassador for the USO Gulf Coast. She is a dance instructor for Broadway South Dance Studio in Mobile, Ala., and every member of her immediate family is involved with the United States Air Force.

MISS NORTHRIDGE

Lauryn Lee


Hometown: TupeloAge: 19Talent: VocalPlatform: Raising Awareness of Eating Dis-ordersBiography: Lee is studying music education at Itawamba Community College. She is a member of the ICC Chamber Choir, was a top 10 finalist in the Indian Idol collegewide vo-cal competition and won second place in the Union County talent competition. She works at the ICC fitness center and is a Newk’s Deli shift leader.

MISS PONTOTOC

Lauren Rosado


Hometown: PontotocAge: 22Talent: VocalPlatform: D.R.E.A.M. (Developing Reading Education Across Mississippi)Biography: Rosado is studying paralegal studies with a minor in English at the Uni-versity of Mississippi. She serves as a trans-fer orientation leader, is a Legal Studies Student Association Paralegal Representa-tive and a delegate for the Applied Sciences Program. In 2006 and 2007, she placed in the top 10 at Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Pageant.

MISS NORTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI

TaNechi Temple


Hometown: CorinthAge: 20Talent: VocalPlatform: Finding a Voice: Supporting Victims of AbuseBiography: Temple is studying psychol-ogy at Mississippi State University. She is the first soprano section leader of MSU Chorale and MSU State Singers. She serves as the president of the University Choral, State Singers Council and Mis-sissippi State University Praise Chorale. In high school, she was a superior-rated drum major in 2007-2009.

MISS PINE BELT/GULF COAST

Shelby Ryals


Hometown: HattiesburgAge: 21Talent: VocalPlatform: Mission: NutritionBiography: Ryals is studying biology at Wil-liam Carey University. She is a president’s and dean’s list scholar, a member of Carey Con-nection and the Student Foundation. She re-ceived the presidential scholarship at WCU and the Women In Medicine scholarship at the Miss Mississippi Pageant 2011.

MISS RIVERBEND

Julie Amelia Falgout


Hometown: HattiesburgAge: 23Talent: DancePlatform: Humanizing the HomelessBiography: Falgout is a graduate of Jones County Community College with an asso-ciate degree in psychology/criminology. She is studying pre-med at William Carey University and is a student intern at Ellis-ville State School. She is a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority where she served as pledge class president.

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After Monday’s 7 p.m. parade along Wash-ington Street, contestants will sign auto-graphs at the Outlets at Vicksburg. Other au-tograph opportunities will be offered during the week, at George Carr Motor Co. on South Frontage Road and along Washington Street in downtown.

Group AAutograph-signing: 10-11:30 a.m. Thurs-day along Washington Street in downtown Vicksburg:• Miss Riverland Patty Turner• Miss Northridge Lauryn Lee• Miss Delta Blues Ashley Hamby• Miss Central Mississippi Elyssa Lassiter• Miss Mid South Caroline Conerly • Miss Hattiesburg Arrielle Dale• Miss University Kayla Snow• Miss Madison Ariel Cheng• Miss Madison County Chassidy Sumler• Miss Delta State University Tori Jenkins• Miss Jones County Danielle Ashley• Miss Mississippi State University Stephanie Stanford• Miss Hinds Community College Lindsey-Claire Muse• Miss Leaf River Valley Jerrilyn LakeContest Schedule:• Monday morning— Interview• 8 p.m. Wednesday — Talent• 8 p.m. Thursday — Evening wear and on-stage question• 8 p.m. Friday — Swimwear

Group B Autograph-signing: 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at George Carr, 2950 S. Frontage Road:• Miss North Central Miss. TaNechi Temple• Miss Pontotoc Lauren Rosado• Miss Vicksburg Jeralyn Stuart• Miss Southern Magnolia Jennifer Cain• Miss Tupelo Megan Rohman• Miss SW Miss. Community College Andre’El Brown• Miss Itawamba Community College Randi Harmon

• Miss Dogwood Festival Laken Hood• Miss Dixie Marie Wicks• Miss University of Southern Mississippi Grace Claire Cordes• Miss Southland Kimberly Crawford• Miss Amory Railroad Festival Ashley For-ester• Miss West Central Mississippi Breanne Pon-der• Miss Pine Belt/Gulf Coast Shelby RyalsContest Schedule: • Tuesday morning — Interview• 8 p.m. Wednesday — Swimwear

• 8 p.m. Thursday — Talent• 8 p.m. Friday — Evening wear and on-stage question

Group CAutograph-signing: 10-11:30 a.m. Thurs-day along Washington Street in downtown Vicksburg:• Miss Riverbend Julie Falgout• Miss Natchez Trace Chelsea Rick• Miss Miss. Delta Community College Aman-da Chandler• Miss Historic South Jessica Terrill• Miss Mississippi College Taylor Townsend• Miss Meridian Bonnie Dulaney• Miss Metro Jackson Kennitra Thompson• Miss Spirit of the South Jasmine Murray• Miss Deep South Kimberly Page• Miss Magnolia Makel Hutchins• Miss New South Jennifer Seymour• Miss Clinton Jamie Ferguson• Miss William Carey University Kenna Spiller• Miss Heartland Anna Beth HigginbothamContest Schedule:• 8 p.m. Wednesday morning— Interview• 8 p.m. Wednesday — Evening Wear and on-stage question• 8 p.m. Thursday — Swimwear• 8 p.m. Friday — Talent


Contestant Groups6


MISS WILLIAM CAREY UNIVERSITY

Kenna Spiller


Hometown: PetalAge: 19Talent: PianoPlatform: Smiling Through ScoliosisBiography: Spiller is studying elementary education at William Carey University and is a president’s list scholar. She was a dancer in the Mississippi All-State Lion’s Band in 2009 and was a delegate to Mississippi Girl’s State in 2010. She was Petal’s Junior Miss 2011 and was a top 10 finalist.

MISS WEST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI

Breanne Ponder


Hometown: Mount OliveAge: 22Talent: VocalPlatform: Remembering Our Forgotten He-roesBiography: Ponder is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies. She was a member of the Com-munications Studies Association, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Circle K International Community Service Club, and was an Eagle Ambassador. She was Miss Mississippi USA 2010 and placed in the top 10 at Miss USA.

Miss AmericaMary Ann Mobley

Miss America 1959

Miss Mississippi 1958Brandon

Lynda Lee Mead

Miss America 1960

Miss Mississippi 1959Natchez

Cheryl Prewitt

Miss America 1980

Miss Mississippi 1979Ackerman

Susan Akin

Miss America 1986

Miss Mississippi 1985Meridian

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MISS SOUTHLAND


Kimberly CrawfordHometown: Clay, Ala.Age: 23Talent: DancePlatform: Endometriosis Awareness and PreventionBiography: Crawford graduated from the University of Mississippi with a master’s in speech-language pathology. She was a graduate assistant for one year and was the secretary for the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association. As an un-dergraduate at Auburn she was a member of the band and served as a squad leader.

MISS SPIRIT OF THE SOUTH

Jasmine Murray


Hometown: ColumbusAge: 20Talent: VocalPlatform: “13 Going On 30”Biography: Murray is studying communica-tion at Mississippi State University. She was an American Idol top 13 finalist, is a song-writer, co-producer, and recording artist and has appeared on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “Live with Regis and Kelly.” She received the U.S. Dream Academy Scholar-ship and was a preliminary talent winner of Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Pageant 2007.

MISS UNIVERSITY

Kayla SnowHometown: OkolonaAge: 22Talent: PianoPlatform: Kids Can, Too!Biography: Snow is studying biochem-istry at the University of Mississippi. She is a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, Black Student Union and I.M.A.G.E. She is listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, is a Luckyday Merit Scholar-ship recipient and was a National Achieve-ment finalist.


MISS SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA

Jennifer Cain


Hometown: BiloxiAge: 21Talent: DancePlatform: Moving Through ArthritisBiography: Cain is studying marketing at the University of Mississippi. She is a mem-ber of Sigma Alpha Lambda, Gamma Beta Phi and Order of Omega honor societies, and Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, where she has served as the vice president of commu-nications and national philanthropy chair.

MISS SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Andre’El Brown


Hometown: SummitAge: 19Talent: DancePlatform: Childhood ObesityBiography: Brown is studying general studies at Southwest Mississippi Commu-nity College. She has taught dancing at lo-cal studios and is a sales associate at Hib-bett Sporting Goods. She was the winner of Southwest Community College “Parade of Beauties.”

MISS TUPELO

Megan Rohman


Hometown: TupeloAge: 17Talent: DancePlatform: Domestic ViolenceBiography: Rohman is studying commu-nication with an emphasis in broadcast-ing at Mississippi State University. She is a member of the Shackoul’s Honors College, Future Educators of America and Beta Club. She was elected to the MSU Student Association Senate for Griffis Hall and is a member of the Phi Mu sorority.

MISS UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Grace Claire Cordes


Hometown: VicksburgAge: 20Talent: VocalPlatform: Supporting Music Education in SchoolsBiography: Cordes is studying vocal per-formance and music education at the Uni-versity of Southern Mississippi. She is a Luckyday and USM Mississippi School of Music Scholarship recipient, Mississippi Eminent Scholar and is a Student Advisory Board representative to the Dean of Music. She is a member of the Alpha Lambda Del-ta Honor Society and Chi Omega sorority.

MISS VICKSBURG

Jeralyn Stuart


Hometown: VicksburgAge: 19Talent: VocalPlatform: St Jude Children’s Research Hos-pitalBiography: Stuart is studying biology at the University of Mississippi. She is a dean’s list scholar and is involved in a sorority. She works part time at Advanced Infusion Solu-tions Pharmacy in Clinton and is involved with the mathathon for St. Jude at a Vicks-burg Elementary school.

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MISS RIVERLAND

Patty Turner


Hometown: QuitmanAge: 20Talent: FlutePlatform: Got Food?Biography: Turner is studying speech pa-thology at the University of Southern Mis-sissippi. She attended Jones County Com-munity College where she served as drum major for two years and received the Letter J Academic Award. She is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Beta, and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies.

MISS MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephanie Stanford


Hometown: GrenadaAge: 21Talent: VocalPlatform: The Heart of Mississippi Foun-dationBiography: Stanford is studying biochem-istry /pre-med at Mississippi State Univer-sity. She was the third alternate, won the overall talent award and Miss Congeniality while participating in the Miss Mississip-pi’s Outstanding Teen pageants. She was fourth alternate at Miss Mississippi 2011 and she is the lead singer in the band, The Right Way.

MISS MADISON

ARIEL CHENG


Hometown: MadisonAge: 18Talent: PianoPlatform: Children’s Miracle NetworkBiography: Cheng graduated from Jack-son Prep and was a Presidential Schol-ar candidate, STAR student, and National Merit Finalist. Cheng was awarded the Out-standing Lawyer award at the Mississippi Bar Association’s mock trial competition and was vice president of the senior class.

Each year, a group of local women serve as hostesses to the Miss Mississippi pageant.

This year, 36 Vicksburg women will serve as attendants for the 42 contestants set to compete for the right to represent the state in the Miss America pageant. Miss Mississippi con-testants are scheduled to arrive today. The final night of the pageant is set for Saturday.

Hostess Chairman Pam Dorrell has been a hostess for 13 years.

Dorrell said the primary job of a hostess is to get the contes-tants where they need to be during the week, from rehearsals and autograph parties to the parade and preliminary nights of competition. The hostesses also stay with the contestants during rehearsals at the Vicksburg Convention Center and

help with any needs they may have. “The hostesses are there before the interviews and rehears-

als giving support to the girls,” Dorrell said. “They basically help them in any way they can and support them.

“These women become step-in mothers for the girls, and I absolutely love doing it, It’s fun.”

Thirty-six Vicksburg women become ‘step-in mothers’ for contestants

At left from front, Alene Thornton and Rhonda Minor; at right from front, Stephanie Sturgis, Betsey Justice and Cissy Carter.

At left from front, Nancy Bell and Brenda Kalushe; at right from front, Pam Wilbanks, Tracy Gordon and Georganne Swillie.

At left from front, Carole Duncan and Donna Atwood; at right from front, Madge Finney, Carole Simpson and Cheri Williams.

At left from front, Louise Hall, Halley Jo Ragsdale

and Bertha Kolb; at right from front, Pam Dorrell,

Pat Pedron, Mary Beth Grogan-White and Ann

Morris.

At left from front, Bar-bara Parsons and Nancy Biggers; at right from front, Billye Jones, Gwen Edris and Lynn Baker. Other hostesses are Janie Easterling, Kay Chaney, Rebecca Lanier, Marlene McLaurin, Teresa Jones, Janell Thames, Linda Banchetti, Nancy Ballard and Karen Ruggles.

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Miss Mississippi

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