Becoming Miss Mississippi is the dream of many young girls in the Magnolia state. Sunday, 41 young women came a little closer to achieving it when they checked in for the 2014 Miss Mississippi pageant at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

The competitors met their new host mothers for the week and, after a morning devotional, began preparing for the weeks activities.

“It’s a dream come true,” said third-year contestant and Miss Meridian Arielle Dale. “I’m very excited and can’t believe it’s here. Third time’s the charm.”

The schedule for the pageant this week consists of a parade at 7 p.m. today along Washington St., followed by an autograph party at the Outlets of Vicksburg.

Wednesday, there is a preliminary competition at the Vicksburg Convention Center. Thursday, another another preliminary round will be held at 8 p.m., with another scheduled Friday. The Miss Mississippi Ball will follow the Friday preliminary round before preliminary crowning at the Lady Luck Casino.

Saturday at 8 p.m., there’s the final competition and crowning at VCC and the Miss Mississippi Awards Ball at the Lady Luck Casino.

CeCe Hillman, Miss Heart of the South, said she is eager to share her platform with audience members.

“It’s a wonderful way to tell my story. My platform is ‘Invisible Illness Awareness.’“

Along with opening doors, Miss Mississippi brings the competitors very close together, said first-time competitor and  Miss DeSoto County Ana Blacke.

“Everyone has been so kind, which makes it 10 times easier.

Kristen Furr, Miss Tupelo, said the difficulty of the pageant makes it more rewarding.

“It’s a lot tougher than I ever expected but definitely worthwhile.” she said. “They’re all beautiful. Whoever wins is definitely deserving.”