Kristian Dambrino’s year as Miss Mississippi began in July, like most winners before her, with interviews and shopping and appearances. But when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, her focus as Miss Mississippi took a dramatic turn to fund-raisers and disaster relief.

&#8220I didn’t even think about Miss America for a while because I was so caught up in the destruction and the people who live down there,” the Grenada native said before her Saturday trunk show at Vicksburg Convention Center.

On Saturday, Dambrino showcased the clothes she will wear, along with a song she will perform about the devastation of hurricane Katrina, at the Miss America pageant that will begin Jan 17. The top 10 contestants in the Miss America pageant will be shown nationally on the final day of the contest to be aired on CMT, Country Music Television, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.

If Dambrino makes the top five, she will have the opportunity to showcase her talent performance for the nation. Dambrino will accompany herself on the piano.

&#8220I wrote this song called &#8220Perlington’s Prayer” and its about a small town on the Gulf Coast in Hancock County that was totally destroyed by Hurricane Katrina,” said Dambrino, 20. &#8220I visited the town with my dad and the national guard. We actually got out and stood on the foundation of a house, what’s left of it, on the beach and it really hit me hard because we stood on the kitchen floor. They were the exact same tiles that we have in my house. I just thought it could have been my house, it could have been anyone I knew.”

The devastation hit home for Dambrino. Her grandmother’s house in Pascagoula was destroyed.

&#8220I knew I needed to write about the Coast and give thanks to the people who have helped out,” she said. &#8220It’s the places, the memories and that’s part of what I talk about in ‘Perlington’s Prayer.’”.

Wearing a long, halter top dress colored in swirls of green, blue and purple to mimic the sea and the storm, Dambrino performed her composition for the audience Saturday.

&#8220We are one nation under God. God bless Perlington,” Dambrino sang.

After performing the 2-minute version of her song, the audience of mostly friends and family at the convention center yelled out for her to perform the full 4-minute version.

&#8220Thank you for loving the song so much,” Dambrino said after the performance.

The road to the Miss America pageant has been different for Dambrino, not only because of the natural disaster, but because of changes facing the pageant.

For the first time in its 84-year history, the Miss America pageant will not be held in Atlantic City, N.J. It is also being held four months later.

Jennifer Adcock, Miss Mississippi 2002, emceed the trunk show. Adcock said Dambrino’s schedule has been much more hectic than usual. She said in years past the Miss America pageant was held just two months after the Miss Mississippi pageant, allowing eight weeks of strict focus on the national pageant. However, since there was so much time between this year’s state pageant and the national one, Dambrino has had to carry on with her duties as Miss Mississippi while preparing for the Miss America pageant, Adcock said.

&#8220I was here in Vicksburg working every day,” Adcock said of her experience. &#8220Kristian, because there was so much time, there were appearances to be made. She’s also been extremely involved in relief efforts. She’s had a very demanding experience.”

Adcock said it is difficult to handle all the responsibilities of being Miss Mississippi as well as working toward the goal of being Miss America.

&#8220Six months seems like two years because so much has happened,” Dambrino said. &#8220I’ve been in the gym a lot, but mainly doing appearances.”

As a singer/songwriter, Dambrino said she’s excited about the changes in the pageant this year, especially the opportunity to be on CMT.

&#8220I love it,” she said. &#8220I watch CMT all the time anyway. It’s really neat to see me on CMT. I never imagined it. It’s like me and Toby Keith. I think its good for the Miss America organization, because CMT is all about tradition and family, more so than the other media channels. I think it’s going to bring a lot of that back to Miss America and bring in more viewers.”

Another change is there will be no parade this year. &#8220That’s something that’s been a tradition for many years,” Adcock said.

Overall, Dambrino said, &#8220It’s a once in a lifetime experience and you thank God you’re able to do it.”