Miss Mississippi heads to Miss America competition, here's how you can watch her compete
Could Mississippi bring home another Miss America title?
Miss Mississippi Emmie Perkins will be doing her best this week to bring the state its fifth win in the history of the program.
Perkins, who was crowned Miss Mississippi in June, left the state Wednesday on an early morning flight. Her final destination: The Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Connecticut, which has hosted the annual competition since 2019.
This year's competition will begin Monday with preliminary competitions and run through Thursday evening's finals show.
Perkins, who was Miss Mississippi State University before being crowned Miss Mississippi, is a Hattiesburg native who got a relatively late start in the pageant world. She did not start competing until she was in college and learned about the scholarship opportunities associated with the competitions.
"I don't think I would have ever imagined myself on this stage and in this role because I grew up doing theater. I never was a dancer, I never played sports, it never worked out for me, but when I found my love for the arts everything changed," Perkins said onstage in Vicksburg after her crowning. "To be standing where I am today is a testament to young girls that Miss America, Miss Mississippi, is a shape shifter. She fits the time that she is needed. I'm a representative of what it means to take your talents and gifts and pour it into this organization and be able to spread your true love to the state of Mississippi and now to Miss America."
For the statewide Miss Mississippi competition, Perkins sang a rendition of Brandi Carlile's "The Story" during the talent portion. What her talent performance will be on the Miss America stage remains to be seen, but Perkins is an outspoken advocate for the arts and for music. Her social impact initiative, Music is Medicine, brings musical performances into healthcare facilities and nursing homes throughout Mississippi.
This year's competition will be the second in a row that is not televised on traditional channels. Last year it was streamed on Peacock, and this year the preliminaries and finals will all be available on pageant-specific streaming service PageantStream.com.
Here is the schedule of events for the week, including things you can do if you are attending, and how you can watch if you are not. All times are in central time, though local time at the competition will be eastern time.
Monday, Dec. 12
Miss America merchandise sales Noon to 5:30 p.m.
Preliminary night one (live streamed on PageantStream.com) 6 p.m.
Visitation (credentials required) 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
Miss America merchandise and trade show 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Preliminary night two (live streamed on PageantStream.com) 6 p.m.
Visitation (credentials required) 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Miss America Foundation scholarship competition 7 a.m.
Miss America merchandise and trade show 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Self-defense workshop with Morgan Greco, Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2023 9:30 a.m. tp 10:30 a.m.
Empower Academy day one 11 p.m. to 4 p.m.
State executive director meeting Noon to 1 p.m.
Candidate parent meeting 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Miss America sorority reception 3 p.m.
Miss America talent showcase 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 15
Forever Miss America breakfast 8 a.m.
Miss America merchandise and trade show 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Empower Academy day 2 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Forever Miss America autograph session 10 a.m.
Red carpet 5 p.m.
Doors open 5 p.m.
Pre-show 6 p.m.
Final night of competition (live streamed on PageantStream.com) 7 p.m.
Official after party 9:15 p.m.
Post-show press conference 9:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Miss Mississippi to compete for Miss America crown
