For anyone who watched the Miss America Pageant decades ago, they will recall that signature song “There She Is, Miss America” most notably sung by master of ceremonies Bert Parks, from 1955 to 1979, to each winning contestant as they were crowned.

Since 2012, this iconic song has not been sung after a contestant is crowned — instrumental music is used instead.

This is but one of the several changes the Miss America Organization has gone through in its recent history. Another has been the addition of a teen competition and the implementation of the Teen and Miss contestants all having to have a community service project that they promote during their reigning year. This year, Vicksburg has had four women who were crowned through the Miss America Organization — Miss Vicksburg’s Teen Belle Spires; Miss Vicksburg Morgan Nelson; Miss Mississippi State University Sarah Randolph and Miss Louisiana Gabrelle McLeod.

In highlighting all our local winners, the Vicksburg Post asked each one what they are most wanting to accomplish through their CSI for their remaining reign.

Miss Vicksburg’s Teen Belle Spires, whose Community Service Initiative is Music4Life, a platform to encourage adults and children to make sure music is a part of their lives, said, “Music is beneficial across the entire spectrum of one’s life: developmentally, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. That’s why I have visited schools to speak to children and teachers and even addressed our Vicksburg Warren School District School Board to encourage them to support the fine arts just as much as they do athletics. As an upcoming freshman at Warren Central High School, I will be a member of the Big Blue band and Madrigals. Ultimately, I just want everyone to have the opportunity to love music as much as I do. It’s that good for you!”

Miss Mississippi State University Sarah Randolph’s Community Service Initiative is Big Sis Me. And during her times as the University’s representative she said, “Mississippi State University has been such big part of the woman I’ve become, and it’s been such an honor to have the opportunity to represent the university and the people I love so much. I know exactly how this university has transformed my life, and my main goal through my year of reign was to be a glimpse of light to make a positive impact on others’ lives going through this journey. I wanted to make every single person I interacted with to feel like they were seen, heard, and valued because my motto in life is to make everyone feel like a somebody. As I get ready to crown the next woman that gets this amazing opportunity, I hope the legacy that I left behind is just that.”

Miss Louisiana Gabrelle McLeod’s Community Service Initiative “Head In the Game,” which focuses on youth athleticism and well-being. McLeod could not be reached for comment due to the rigorous schedule of Miss Louisiana’s responsibilities.