Blair Wortsmith was crowned Miss Vicksburg in the local pageant held this past October.

And while the University of Mississippi junior does not hail from the River City, she does have a unique connection to Vicksburg.

One of Wortsmith’s dearest friends and sorority little sister is Savannah Day, the granddaughter of the late Martha Day, who while serving as the Vicksburg Evening Post’s society editor for more than 20 years, also covered the Miss Mississippi Pageant during her tenure at the paper.

Wortsmith made a visit to Vicksburg recently and while here had the opportunity to have lunch with a few of the late Martha Day’s friends.

“I loved hearing about her (Savannah’s) grandmother and learning that she had worked so closely with the pageant for so long,” Wortsmith said.

“Being able to honor Mrs. Martha’s legacy as well as the other citizens of Vicksburg that selflessly served our organization as Miss Vicksburg is truly an honor.”

In addition to hearing about past Miss Mississippi events through friends of Savannah Day’s grandmother, Wortsmith said she also had the opportunity to visit Bowmar Elementary School where one of her Magnolia Princesses, Maddie Kay Snow, is a student.

“During my visit, I had the opportunity to draw the winning Christmas raffle ticket and share my platform about financial literacy with students in several classrooms,” she said.

Wortsmith, who is a resident of Little Rock, Ark. and is majoring in banking and finance and working towards a minor in journalism and marketing at Ole Miss, said during her visit, she also met with Mayor George Flaggs, visited the Chamber of Commerce and toured the Biedenharn Coca Cola Museum.

She along with Miss Vicksburg’s Outstanding Teen, Madison Smith, also had the opportunity to read to children at Lorelei Books.

The pair also visited several businesses in town, Wortsmith said, where they were able to thank those who are supporters of the Miss Mississippi pageant.

Wortsmith said this recent visit is only one of many she plans to make to Vicksburg.

“I have many more exciting plans for the months to come as Miss Vicksburg, and I look forward to being back soon,” she said, adding, “As a representative of the River City, it is my desire to learn as much as I can about the history, community and citizens of Vicksburg. I plan to expand my knowledge about this incredible city and continue to make new friends throughout my reign. I have already realized it is the people of Vicksburg that make being Miss Vicksburg so special.”

This will be Wortsmith’s second year to compete for the Miss Mississippi title and crown.

“I had an amazing experience as a first year participant in the Miss Mississippi pageant last summer, and I look forward to my continued involvement with this incredible program,” she said.

Wortsmith said competing in the Miss Mississippi Pageant program has provided countless opportunities for personal development.

“And I’m thankful for the opportunity to share my platform and advocate for financial literacy as a titleholder. I am also forever grateful for the scholarship funds that have assisted with my educational goals and for the friendships that I have gained through participation with the Miss America Organization.”