The former Miss Metro Jackson was chosen Saturday night in front of a crowd of 2,200 in an almost packed Vicksburg Convention Center after a week of preliminary competitions.She will receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Miss Mississippi Corp. and will represent the state in the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas in January.
James, a Mississippi State University communications student, succeeds Brandon resident Anna Tadlock, an MSU graduate who will soon begin working on her master's degree in English at Mississippi College.James played a classical piano piece for talent.First runner-up went to Jill Duckworth, Miss Spirit of the South; second runner-up was Kristen Benigno, Miss University of Southern Miss; third runner-up was Caitlyn Smith, Miss Delta Blues; and fourth runner-up was Miss Mississippi State University Fenly Akers.
Three winners were chosen in two competition categories Friday night:In swimwear, Miss Rankin County/Southwest Megan Miller and Miss Spirit of the South Jill Duckworth won $200 scholarships.In talent, Miss Delta Blues Caitlyn Smith won a $300 scholarship.A total of $294,561 in scholarship funds was distributed among the winners.
Miss America 1981 Susan Powell and Miss Mississippi 2006 Taryn Foshee hosted the event.The Top 10 semifinalists were Miss Delta Blues Caitlyn Smith; Miss Spirit of the South Jill Duckworth; Miss Mississippi State University Fenley Akers; Miss Metro Jackson Sarah Beth James; Miss Meridian Mary Margaret Roark; Miss Clinton Kellis McSparrin; Miss University of Southern Mississippi Kristen Benigno; Miss Dogwood Festival Jessica Terrill; Miss Mid South Danielle Smith; and Miss Alcorn County Chelsea Rick.
The Miss Mississippi 2010 pageant theme was “Two Kings and a Queen” set to music by Michael Jackson, Queen and Elvis.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Miss Mississippi 2010
