Miss Dixie, who’d won both a talent and evening wear preliminary earlier in the competition, took home the crown at Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen pageant Saturday night at the Vicksburg Auditorium.

“I wasn’t the cutest child, so I didn’t get involved in pageants until later,” said Molly May, the 17-year-old daughter of Debra May of Houston, right after she was crowned. “I’m so excited. I’ve watched this pageant for seven years and decided that I wanted to do it.”

Molly attends Houston High School where she is on the Principal’s A/B Honor Roll, a member of Beta Club and is Houston High School’s Star Student. Her Platform is Breast Cancer Awareness.

At the Friday night preliminary Molly sang “I Am Telling You” from the movie “Dream Girls.”

“I’m just overwhelmed right now,” Molly said. “I just wanted to make the top 10, and I’ve made so many friends. I’m just really excited.”

Molly was one of 29 girls, ages 13 to 17, vying for the chance to represent Mississippi at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant, which will be Aug. 14 in Orlando, Fla.

First runner-up was Miss Turtle Creek Brooke Bullock, 15, of Petal, who won a talent preliminary Friday night. Miss Pearl River Valley Anne Elizabeth Buys, 16, of Vicksburg was the second runner-up. Miss New South Holly Howard, 17, of Meridian came in third, and Miss Southland Callie Shirley, 16, of Madison came was the fourth runner-up. The rest of the top 10, in no particular order, are Miss Madison County Nicole Poole, 17, who won an evening wear preliminary; Miss Magnolia Leah Yasmeen Gibson, 17, of Starkville; Miss Mid South Katelyn Perry, 13, of Gulfport; Miss Northridge Lydia Myers, 15, of Laurel; and Miss Spirit of the South Olivia Sanguinetti, 17, of Hattiesburg.

The top 10, who were announced at the beginning of the pageant Saturday night, competed in talent, lifestyle and fitness and evening gown with an onstage question. The girls were also judged on scholastic achievement and a private interview.

Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Pageant is an affiliate of the Miss Mississippi Pageant and Miss America. This year’s Miss Mississippi Pageant will be June 27-30 at the Vicksburg Convention Center.