The 18- to 24-year olds competing in this year’s Miss Mississippi Pageant are just like many others their age — connected to their cell phones.

But as contestants, they’re not only separated from their families, but their phones for most of the week.

“We allow contestants to keep phones at the hotel,” said David Blackledge, the executive director and chairman of the board for the Miss Mississippi Pageant.

“We make it very clear that they are to be respectful roommates as far as use and time of use. They should be here to enjoy the pageant. We don’t want it to be a distraction.”

Each morning the contestants place their cell phones in a box at the La Quinta Inn that corresponds to their group designation and then pick their phones up when they return to the hotel for the night.

Miss Northland Dana Wesley said the policy helps contestants stay focused.

“It’s difficult, but they do it because they don’t want us to be distracted,” Wesley said. “We’re doing a lot all day, and we have to have our full attention on that. I try to go through everything when I get back from the hotel. It’s very relaxing to get back in contact with the outside world.”

Pam Dorrell, hostess chairman for the pageant, said the contestants have been able to pick up their phones each night for the last four years. Previously, contestants were not allowed to use their cell phones at all.

“We know they’re going to use them, so we changed (the rules) so that they could use it at night,” Dorrell said. “It’s easier because we don’t feel like we have to sneak around and catch them. It’s just a cell phone world.”

Blackledge added the goal of removing cell phones from the convention center was to eliminate potential issues.

“There are also privacy issues at stake,” he said.

Dorrell agreed the cell phone limits were created to be respectful because the contestants are in close quarters and the women backstage are in the process of getting ready.

“It’s mainly because we don’t want pictures taken backstage while everyone is getting ready,” she said.

Blackledge said though the contestants can use their phones at night, they are encouraged to use it to communicate with family and then get rest for the next day’s activities.

Miss Belle of the Bayou Emma Jumper said the technology-free zone doesn’t impact much of the contestants’ day-to-day activities.

“You stay so busy that you don’t really think about it,” she said.

“You have to be OK with yourself and with not having to communicate all the time. You just get so caught up and focused and busy that you don’t think about it.”

Miss University of Southern Mississippi Macy Mitchell said she enjoys the break from technology.

“It’s an oasis for me to not have my phone,” Mitchell said. “I look forward to giving it up every day. I know (if I have it) I’m going to spend my time focusing on that rather than things I should be focused on.”

Mitchell added the lack of cell phones bonds the contestants during the week but are invaluable for keeping in touch at the competition’s end.

“When we’re all spread out across the state, they do make it easier to keep the friendships that we’ve made, so there are benefits to both (having them and not having them),” she said. “For this week, I love not having it.”