Miss University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship Competition Set for Nov. 16

Tue, 11/12/2024 - 09:20am | By: Dr. David Tisdale

The Miss University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Scholarship Competition will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Mannoni Performing Arts Center on the Hattiesburg campus. The event, presented by the USM Student Government Association (SGA), is free and open to the public.

Eight contestants will vie for the crown; the winner will go on to compete for the title of Miss Mississippi June 11-14 in Vicksburg. Participants are as follows:

• Madelyn Barrentine, a junior from Crystal Springs, Miss., majoring in elementary education 

• Elizabeth Brady, a sophomore from Madison, Ala., majoring in nutrition and dietetics 

• Dasani Hill, a senior from Greene County, Miss., majoring in social work with a minor in child studies 

• Leslie Martinez, a graduate student from Hattiesburg, pursuing a master’s degree in biomedical sciences 

• Savannah Ogden, a freshman from Demopolis Ala., majoring in sports management with a minor in dance 

• Scarlett Scott, a sophomore from Mobile, Ala., majoring in psychology with a minor in chemistry 

• Emily Blue Tapley, a sophomore from New Braunfels, Texas, majoring in digital journalism with a focus on broadcast journalism 

• Annalee Toler, a junior from Liberty, Miss., majoring in nursing with minors in sociology and psychology

"This year's contestants are a spirited group of young women ready to represent themselves, their families, and their university with pride," said USM Assistant Dean of Students Daniel Rigel.

Special guests for this year’s competition include Miss Mississippi Becky Williams, who will serve as emcee, and a dance performance by the famed USM Pride of Mississippi Marching Band’s Dixie Darlings.

For more information about the Miss University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship Competition, contact the USM Dean of Students Office.