Without going into her inappropriate discourse on dog pounds and beauty pageants, I do believe that Suzanne Sugarbaker had one thing totally correct: “You will never see a homely Miss Mississippi.”
Since 1934, some of our state’s brightest, best, and most beautiful young women have proven that point as they competed in the historic Miss Mississippi pageant. In fact, four Mississippians went on to claim the title of Miss America: Mary Ann Mobley (1959), Lynda Lea Meade (1960), Cheryl Prewitt (1980), and Susan Akin (1986).
Plus, dozens of Miss Mississippi winners went on to win scholarships, preliminary competitions, and various Miss America awards, with an impressive record of state titleholders making their way into the list of Top Ten and Runner-up winners in their individual Miss America pageant appearances. (The Miss Mississippi website fully documents their successes.)
Perhaps the winner of the 2025 Miss Mississippi pageant will add her name to that prestigious list. That is a definite possibility, considering the 33 beautiful young women who are currently in Vicksburg, competing for the chance to win the coveted Miss Mississippi crown.
But more than beauty, this year’s 33 contestants are talented, creative, poised, and passionate about serving their fellow Mississippians.
In fact, each of these contestants represents towns, cities, and universities from all across the state, and they each stand on a platform of community service that centers around the health and well-being of others, including areas of physical, mental, and emotional health.
Make sure to check out each of their 33 service platforms here: https://www.miss-mississippi.com/about-miss-mississippi-842404.html.
The Miss Mississippi pageant festivities actually kick off tonight, Monday, June 9, with the iconic Parade of Contestants at 7 p.m. through downtown Vicksburg 9 (via Washington Street) with an official Autograph Party following. Don’t miss out on this fun tradition as each contestant and her designated belles and beaus are welcomed to Vicksburg, the official home of the pageant since 1958.
Then, the entire week is filled with more autograph parties, interviews, and nightly preliminary competitions, all culminating in the final night, Saturday, June 14, when the next Miss Mississippi will be crowned by Becky William, Miss Mississippi 2024, at the Vicksburg Convention Center.
Livestreaming packages of any or all 4 nights June 11-14) of the official competition can be purchased at www.missmisslive.com. And tickets to attend the 2025 Miss Mississippi may be purchased at https://www.miss-mississippi.com/shop.html , or by calling 601.638.6746.
Even if you cannot attend in person or watch each night online, the final night of the competition will air at 8 p.m. on several Mississippi channels:
WDAM, Hattiesburg
WLBT, Jackson
WLOX, Biloxi
WTVA, Tupelo
WTOK, Meridian.
Make sure to watch and root for your favorite contestant to win Miss Mississippi 2025!
