Miss Metro Jackson Sarah Beth James, a 20-year-old pageant veteran in the top 10 for three years, was crowned Miss Mississippi 2010 at the Vicksburg Convention Center Saturday night.

“It went by so quickly I’m going to have to ask someone to tell me what happened,” said the Brandon resident. She competed last year as Miss Mississippi State University and in 2008 as Miss Madison County.

“I actually started preparing the minute I got done last year,” said James, who performed “Piano Fantasy” for her talent portion of the competition. “I never let up. I worked very hard.”

James, who is studying communications, public relations and Spanish at Mississippi State University, is a President’s Scholar, a National Merit Commended Scholar and is enrolled in Shackouls Honors College.

She was one of 45 young women in this year’s competition, the 53rd in Vicksburg.

Miss Spirit of the South Jill Duckworth of Clinton was chosen first runner-up; second runner-up was Miss University of Southern Mississippi Kristen Benigno of Laurel; third, Miss Delta Blues Caitlyn Smith of Columbus; and fourth, Miss Mississippi State University Fenly Akers of Vicksburg.

Others in the top 10, announced early in Saturday night’s production that was on live television, were Miss Meridian Mary Margaret Roark of Cleveland, Miss Clinton Kellis McSparrin of Clinton, Miss Dogwood Festival Jessica Terrill of Fulton, Miss Mid South Danielle Smith of Meridian and Miss Alcorn County Chelsea Rick of Fulton.

James is the daughter of Faye and David James of Madison.

She will spend the next five months preparing to compete Jan. 15 in the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas.

“For this next year, she just needs to keep up with news and stay in shape,” her father said.

Along with the crown and title, James will receive a $10,000 cash scholarship, the use of a car and the use of a cell phone for the year, a tuition waiver and clothes. She said she will take a year off from school.