Two pageant veterans and a first-time competitor took top awards in the first round of preliminaries in the 2006 Miss Mississippi Pageant Wednesday night at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

Miss University Tara Tutor won swimsuit, and Miss Heritage Emily Senter and Miss Itawamba Community College Corie Philece Stanford tied for the talent win.

&#8220This is my third year in a row to win swimsuit,” said Tutor, 22, who is competing for the fourth time this year.

&#8220I’m somewhat superstitious, and I’ve worn the same pink outfit to and from the convention center every year. Maybe the third time is the charm,” she said.

Tutor, who received a $200 scholarship for her preliminary win, said she stays fit by drinking plenty of water and hitting the gym several days a week.

&#8220My friends make fun of me because I have this huge, blue jug I always carry with me full of water,” she said.

Senter, a third-time competitor, couldn’t hold back tears and said she couldn’t be happier with the award. She sang &#8220If I Could.”

&#8220I feel so blessed,” said Senter, 21, of Fulton. &#8220I’ve been waiting for this for three years. I’m so happy.”

She and Stanford both received a $300 scholarship for the preliminary win.

&#8220I feel great,” said Stanford, 19, of Saltillo. For her talent, she sang &#8220Love Is Where You Find It.”

&#8220I can’t believe I’m up here right now. It’s a great way to start the competition, she said. ”.

The preliminary competition is judged in swimwear, evening wear, talent and on-stage question. A winner is named in swimwear and talent each preliminary night. Scores from the preliminary nights, along with judges’ interviews held earlier in the week, will determine the Top 10, which will be announced at the beginning of Saturday’s live telecast of the pageant on WLBT-TV3.

The Top 10 will compete again in areas of talent, swimwear and evening gown during Saturday’s competition.

Forty-three women ages 17 to 24 are competing, and the winner, who will be named Saturday, will advance to the Miss America Pageant, which will be in Los Angeles Sept. 5-13.

The Miss Mississippi Pageant is in its 71st year and 49th in Vicksburg.