Miss MS 2009 ~ Anna Tadlock

Miss Mississippi 2009 Anna Tadlock became the 52nd crown winner in Vicksburg Saturday night. She had made it to the top 10 in 2008, but not the top 5. She was encouraged by her parents Tommy and Felicia Tadlock of Brandon to decide to take her fourth shot.

"My motivation was obviously the scholarship money, but because I knew I would be more prepared" confidence came easily, said the 23-year-old Brookhaven native.

The new Miss Mississippi, who began singing at her church when she was 5, said she is hoping to take to the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas in January the same one she performed here last week and last year, "A New Life," but she will have to have it cleared by the national pageant's officials

Along with all the scholarships and perks that come with the crown, Tadlock said she is excited about the opportunity to promote her platform, music education for children.

"I firmly believe that when you involve a child in the arts, especially in music early on, it's going to have a profound impact on their educational opportunity later on," she said. "I feel every child should have the opportunity for that experience."

A 2008 Mississippi State University graduate, Tadlock plans to return to school to obtain a master's degree and some day teach English at the high school or college level.

She said she is unsure of which graduate school she would like to attend, but MS State is in her blood, having had both parents, grandparents and a number of aunts and uncles graduate from there.

The road to the 2010 Miss America competition has already begun for the 5-foot-4 blonde, who will be traveling back and forth from Brandon to Vicksburg for her preparations.

Looking back at her four years in the Miss Mississippi program, she said, "It's been a journey, but it's worth every step of the way." Congratulations Anna!

Miss Mississippi 2009 Anna Tadlock sits Sunday with her parents, Felicia and Tommy Tadlock.