Royalty in Vicksburg | News

VICKSBURG, MS (WLBT) - Present day and future royalty filled the streets of Downtown Vicksburg Monday night for the annual Miss Mississippi Parade of Contestants.

Eighty-five children are also participating in the pageant this year serving as princes and princesses. There is also a connection to British royalty. Contestants can work to achieve the Duke of Edinburgh Award in honor of Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth.

The award is based on community service, special skills, and contestants must develop an understanding of the environment and working together as a team. The contestants say it takes teamwork to make this pageant happen.

"They call your name and you're rushed off to the dressing room and then you have like four dressing room assistants for each girl and they pin your hair back and get your earrings and your shoes and your dress and then they send you out the door," said Kimberly Page, Miss Deep South.

"It's exciting! I'm getting the chance to bond with the other girls to my right and to my left. I'm like was that kick step? Okay. So its fun. So you guys help each other? We help each other, this is definitely friendly competition," Miss Metro Jackson, Kennitra Thompson said.

The reigning Miss Mississippi, Mary Margaret Roark will be recognized on the Miss America stage for her work with the Duke of Edinburgh program.

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