Miss Mississippi Hannah Roberts’ strong showing in the 2016 Miss American Pageant is certainly a boost in image for the Magnolia State and our city.

Roberts finished second to Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell in the country’s most prestigious pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.

Miss Mississippi executive director David Blackledge best summed up Robert’s role in the competition.

“Wow, she was awesome. She has worked hard all week long and is deserving of what she got,” Blackledge said.

“This is a great showing for Mississippi and we are so excited.”

The showing is also great for Vicksburg, the city that has been home to the Miss Mississippi Pageant for decades. Our community sent throngs of supporters to New Jersey to root for Roberts, who is from the tiny Covington County community of Mount Olive.

Perhaps her will spark increased interest in the Miss Mississippi Pageant and bring even more visitors to our fair city next summer.

Roberts also benefited greatly from the pageant. During Wednesday night’s preliminary competition, she was named as one of the five STEM scholarship winners, where she was awarded an additional $5,000 in scholarships to the $25,000 as first runner-up.

“We are ecstatic. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions all week. We would just like to thank all the state of Mississippi and to say thank you for letting our daughter represent this great state,” her father, James Roberts said.

Roberts won’t be reveling long in New Jersey. On Wednesday, she will speak to Vicksburg Lions Club at Toney’s on Mission 66. The club has invited all members of the community to attend and show their support for Roberts. Club representatives said they hope for a packed house in the meeting room at Toney’s

Come out and show your support and let it be know that no matter where she’s from Vicksburg will always been Miss Mississippi’s hometown.