Hyer crowned 2019 Miss Mississippi

Published 11:32 pm Saturday, June 22, 2019

While there may have been a few changes in this year’s Miss Mississippi Competition, it didn’t change the fact one candidate took home the title.

Miss Riverbend Mary Margaret Hyer was crowned 2019 Miss Mississippi Saturday night at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

“I am just blown away and ecstatic. I can’t even describe the way I am feeling right now,” Hyer said after winning the title. “I have always dreamed of this and looked up to Miss Mississippi and I just never thought I would be lucky enough to call myself one.”

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This is Hyer’s third time to compete for the crown and she was the only candidate this year who won both preliminary competitions earlier in the week.

For the talent phase of the competition, Nyer sang “And This is My Beloved” from the musical “Kismet” and during the evening wear and social impact statement phase of the competition, she wore a sapphire blue gown.

Hyer’s social impact statement, which supports organ donation, is “Advocate Celebrate, Donate: Decreasing the Donor Organ Deficit.”

As the winner of the competition, Hyer receives a $10,000 scholarship and will advance to Miss America.

Hyer said one of the first things she is looking forward to in competing for the national title, is finding out when and where the competition will be held, as well as the new rules.

“I am looking forward to finding out about this 2.0 system,” Hyer said. “I am the first Miss Mississippi under 2.0 rules and it is a huge honor.”

At the beginning of Saturday’s competition, the top 10 candidates were named and re-competed in talent and the evening wear and social impact statement phase of the competition.

Then the top five re-competed in the on-stage question phase of the competition.

Miss Delta Charley Ann Nix was named the first runner up and was awarded a $7,500 scholarship: Miss Hattiesburg Macy Mitchell was second runner up and was awarded $5,000 in scholarships; Miss Dixie Molly May was the third runner up and was awarded a $3,000 in scholarships and Miss University Blair Wortsmith was fourth runner up and was awarded $2500 in scholarships.

Rounding out the top 10 was Miss Rhythm & Blues Dana Wesley, Miss Pontotoc Ridge Rachel Shumaker, Miss Greenville Leah Ann Boyd, Miss Natchez Trace Katelyn Elizabeth Brown and Miss All-America City Grace McClanahan.

The five semifinalists each received $2,000 in scholarships.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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