We Have A New Miss Mississippi!

A new Miss Mississippi was crowned in my hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi last night at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

Miss Dixie Laura Lee Lewis is the 2016 Miss Mississippi.  She was also crowned Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen in 2009, was also named second runner-up in the Miss Mississippi in 2013, first runner-up in 2014 and second runner-up again in 2015.

"They say third time is the charm, but I guess in my case it's the fourth."

Winning the title of Miss Mississippi is just the beginning, Lewis said.  The 23-year-old Brookhaven native already has her eye on the bigger crown.

"We are going to Miss America.  We are going to Atlantic City and bring home the Miss America crown.  It is time to bring it home; back to where it belongs, so it is my mission to not only represent Mississippi well at Miss American, but to make an impact on our nation by telling people they're valued and loved in a time when we really need it most," Lewis said.

For the talent phase of the competition, Lewis performed a vocal arrangement of Barbara Streisand's "A Piece of Sky."

Along with the Miss Mississippi title and crown, Lewis receives a $10,000 scholarship.

Miss Turtle Creek Anne Elizabeth Buys of Vicksburg was named first runner up and was awarded a $7,500 scholarship; Miss Amory Molly May of Houston was second and was awarded $5,000; Miss Tombigbee Holly Harrington of Tupelo was third and was awarded $2,500; and Miss Deep River Mia Hall of Meridian was fourth and was awarded a $2,500 scholarship.