Miss Southern Grace’s Outstanding Teen Stella Ford was crowned Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen at the Vicksburg City Auditorium Saturday night.

She will receive a $5,000 scholarship — $3,500 provided by the Miss Mississippi Corporation and $1,500 provided by the Miss Mississippi Local Directors Association. She will also receive additional scholarships and awards.

“I am overwhelmed with excitement,” the newly crowned Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen said. “This is one of my biggest dreams.”

Stella, who was also the preliminary talent winner Friday night, said competing for the crown after being named one of the top 10 finalist was easier than the preliminary competitions.

“I was more relaxed tonight since I had already performed on the stage,” she said.

During Saturday night’s competition, the top 10 contestants were announced at the beginning of the pageant. Each of these contestants then re-competed in talent, lifestyle and fitness and evening gown and on-stage question.

The judges score the contestants from one to 10 using whole numbers, and scores for the preliminary rounds of the competition are as follows: 25 percent for private interview, 10 percent for lifestyle and fitness, 34 percent for talent, 20 percent for eveningwear and on-stage question and 10 percent for scholastics.

The top 10 contestants’ composite scores from the preliminaries contributes 35 percent to their final score, with the remaining scores attributed to 15 percent for lifestyle and fitness, 35 percent for talent and 15 percent for evening wear and on-stage question for the final night.

First alternate to Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen and the recipient of a $2,000 scholarship was Miss Meridian’s Outstanding Teen Liz Sprabery; Second alternate and recipient of a $1,200 scholarship Miss Magnolia’s Outstanding Teen Farrah Cox; third alternate and recipient of a $900 scholarship Miss Vicksburg’s Outstanding Teen Julianna Jackson; fourth alternate and recipient of a $600 scholarship Miss All-American City’s Outstanding Teen GraceAnne Kennedy.

The five remaining semi-finalists each received a $400 scholarship; Miss Mid-South’s Outstanding Teen Rachel Shumaker; Miss Dixie’s Outstanding Teen Sidney Kimble; Miss Clinton’s Outstanding Teen Jordan Markham; Miss Jones County’s Outstanding Teen Breana Kelley; Miss Heart of the South’s Outstanding Teen Maisie Brown.

Stella is the 17-year-old daughter of Craig and Wendy Ford and a student at Brandon High School.

Her platform is DREAM: DESIRE, RELENTLESS, ENVISION, ACTION, MOTIVATION.

Stella will represent the state at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant, which is scheduled to run Aug. 2-4, with the final night of competition Aug. 6 in Orlando, Fla.

The Miss Mississippi Pageant, which is the sister pageant to the teen pageant, is scheduled to run from June 22 through 25 at the Vicksburg Convention Center, 1600 Mulberry St.

Tickets are $125 for all four nights, $30 for June 22 and 23, $40 for June 24 and $50 for June 25.

For more information, call 601-638-6746 or visit missmississippipageant.com.