The final night of preliminary competition for the Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Pageant produced three winners. Miss Southern Grace’s Outstanding Teen Stella Ford won the talent competition preliminary and Miss Vicksburg’s Outstanding Teen Julieanna Jackson and Miss Madison Metro’s Outstanding Teen Helen McDougald tied for the evening wear and on-stage question portion of the competition.

Ford, the 17-year-old daughter of Craig and Wendy Ford of Brandon, sang “At Last,” made famous by Etta James.

“This was my grandmother’s favorite song, and she was the one who inspired me to sing it,” Stella said.

To prepare for the Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Pageant, Stella said she started taking voice lessons about six months ago, but has been singing in her church choir and at school for a while.

“I’m in my school’s show choir, and I sing the National Anthem at all the football games.”

For the evening gown competition, McDougald, the 15-year-old daughter of Charles and Rebecca McDougald of Tupelo said she wore a custom-made Sherri Hill evening gown.

“I have had this dress for two years, and I was waiting for the right moment to wear it, and I think I picked the right moment.”

Jackson wore a white lace ball gown.

“I love the classic look and almost everything I have worn this week has been white. I think I just feel more confident in white” she said.

Julieanna is the 13-year-old daughter of Danny and Tory Jackson of Mize.

Each of the preliminary winners received a $150 scholarship.

Thursday night preliminary winners were Miss Delta Blue’s Outstanding Teen Grace McAllister and Miss Meridian’s Outstanding Teen Liz Spraybery.

The winner of the pageant will be crowned Saturday night at the final round of competition, which is set to begin at 8 p.m. at City Auditorium.

Tickets are $40 and are available at the door or by calling 601-638-6746.