Contact: Brad Hill

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Ten women are seeking the title of Miss Mississippi State University 2019 during the pageant’s 60th year of providing scholarships to MSU women. The public event is Friday [Sept 21] at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium.

General admission is $15; $10 for enrolled MSU students with identification. Tickets may be purchased online at www.events.msstate.edu/tickets or from the Center for Student Activities in Colvard Student Union, Suite 314.

Miss Mississippi State University will represent her institution next summer in the Miss Mississippi Pageant in Vicksburg. The winner there advances to the Miss America Pageant.

This year’s contestants include residents from Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia and Alabama (listed by hometown):

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama—Freshman Hunter G. Rush is a chemical engineering major and the daughter of Samantha and Andy Rush. She will perform a baton routine to “Let’s Get Loud.” Her platform is “Learning to Read to Succeed.”

BUFORD, Georgia—Graduate Student Christana K. Landress is a professional meteorology/climatology major and the daughter of Cecelia Landress. She will perform Gershwin’s “Rhapsody Polka” on the clarinet. Her platform is “Eyes on the Sky.”

MADISON, Alabama—Senior Leah A. Boyd is a music education major and the daughter of Myrna and Al Boyd. She will perform “Fantasie Impromptu” on the piano. Her platform is “Advocating for Music Education.”

OLIVE BRANCH—Senior Sydney E. Slocum is a kinesiology major and the daughter of Les and Trina Slocum. She will perform a tap dance to “Baby, I’m a Star.” Her platform is “A Piece to the Puzzle – Possibilities for Individuals with Disabilities.”

ONEONTA, Alabama—Junior Emily E. O’Rear, is a communication/public relations major and the daughter of Cindy and Randy O’Rear. She will perform a dance to “Friend Like Me.” Her platform is “Dancers Fighting Cancer.”

PONTOTOC—Sophomore Rachel K. Shumaker is a communication/public relations and political science major and the daughter of Donna and Don Shumaker. She will perform “Pirates of the Caribbean” on the piano. Her platform is “Ahead of the Curve - Scoliosis.” 

RIPLEY—Senior Georgia Kate Conner is a business administration and fashion merchandising major and the daughter of Leslie Wilbanks and Eddie Conner. She will perform a vocal rendition of “I Have Nothing.” Her platform is “Read, Achieve, Succeed.”

STARKVILLE—Sophomore Hannah M. Vanderberg is a communication/broadcasting major and the daughter of Christina Vanderberg. She will perform a vocal rendition of “Putting Off Loving You.” Her platform is “Voice for the Unspoken.”

STUTTGART, Arkansas—Senior Hannah L. Oliver is a fashion merchandising major and the daughter of Erin and Lane Oliver. She will perform a tap dance to “One More Time.” Her platform is “Multiple Sclerosis: Taking Steps Toward a Cure.”

WEST POINT—Sophomore Mikayla Poindexter is a special education major and the daughter of Alex Poindexter, and Crystal and Rusty Sullivan. She will perform a Ballet en Pointe dance to “Heart Cry.” Her platform is “Dance and Athletics for Special Needs Kids.”

For additional information, contact the Center for Student Activities at 662-325-2930.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.