Fifteen competing Friday night for Miss �̾��Ƶ2016

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Fifteen students are seeking the title of Miss �̾��Ƶ 2016. Taking place Friday [Nov. 13], the annual pageant gets underway at 7 p.m. in historic Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium.

General admission is $15; $10 for enrolled �̾��Ƶstudents with identification. Tickets may be purchased online at or from the Center for Student Activities in Colvard Student Union, Suite 314.

Along with representing the university next summer at the Miss Mississippi Pageant in Vicksburg, Miss �̾��Ƶ2016 will receive a full tuition scholarship. All of this year’s participants are receiving a $250 scholarship. The winner of the Miss Mississippi Pageant advances to the Miss America Pageant.

In addition to Mississippi, this year’s contestants represent the states of Alabama and Tennessee. They include (by hometown):

ATHENS, Alabama—Sophomore Rylie Livingston, a communication/broadcasting major who will be dancing to “Arabian Nights.” Her platform is Threads of Dance.

CLANTON, Alabama—Senior Jessica Swindle, a geosciences/broadcast meteorology major who will be singing “Stormy Weather.” Her platform is Weathering the Storms: Severe Weather Preparedness.

FLORENCE—Senior India Byrd, a biological sciences/pre-medicine major who will be singing “Stay.” Her platform is R.A.R.E. (Raising Awareness while Raising Emma).

HATTIESBURG—Freshman Jada Evans, a biological engineering major who will be performing a monologue to “12 Long Years.” Her platform is Beauty is Beyond the Eye of the Beholder.

HERNANDO—Junior Lynzie Tingle, an educational psychology major who will be singing “I’ll Stand By You.” Her platform is Life Worth Living.

HOUSTON—Junior Molly May, a communication/public relations major who will be singing “They Just Keep Moving the Line.” Her platform is Breast Cancer Awareness.

JACKSON—Senior Allissia Hill, a biological sciences major who will be performing a color guard routine to “Part of Me.” Her platform is We Are More Than Just Pets.

KOSCIUSKO—Senior Meredith Thomas, an interdisciplinary studies major who will be playing “Great Balls of Fire” on piano. Her platform is S.C.O.R.E. - Serving Communities, Embracing Opportunities, Returning Every Chance.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee—Freshman Kathryn Tenner, a kinesiology/clinical exercise physiology major who will be dancing to “Sun.” Her platform is Best Buddies International.

NORTHPORT, Alabama—Freshman Kristen Ward, a political science major who will be performing baton to “Jailhouse Rock.” Her platform is Early Screening for Ovarian Cancer.

PONTOTOC—Senior Nikki Fauver, a biological engineering major who will be performing ballet en pointe to “Piano Fantasy” by William Joseph. Her platform is Breast Cancer Education and Awareness.

SHANNON—Sophomore Alivia Paden Roberts, a communication/broadcasting major who will be performing ballet en pointe to “Storm.” Her platform is Healthy Teens for a Better Mississippi: Teenage Pregnancy Prevention.

STARKVILLE—Sophomore Mamie Coleman Rybolt, an educational psychology major who will be singing “Holding Out for A Hero.” Her platform is Ovarian Cancer Awareness.

TAYLORSVILLE—Sophomore Kaci Bryant, an elementary education major will be playing “Rondo Alla Turca” on piano. Her platform is 5 Components Plus 1: The Importance of Childhood Literacy.

VICKSBURG—Freshman Taelor Nelson, a biochemistry/forensic sciences major who will be performing the monologue “Barbie.” Her platform is Preventing Child Obesity in Mississippi.

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

�̾��Ƶis Mississippi’s leading university, available online at .

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