Miss Mississippi Vivian O’Neal was one of three winners of the fitness award Wednesday night in Orlando during the preliminaries of the 2024 Miss America contest.

O’Neal was joined in winning the award by Miss Maryland Kennedy Taylor and Miss Tennessee Brandee Mills. 

According to information provided by the Miss American Opportunity, each of the preliminary winners were awarded a $3,000 scholarship to a school of her choice, supporting her pursuit of higher education and personal development.

O’Neal herself said winning a preliminary award was a dream come true.

“In all the years I’ve watched this competition, I could have never imagined I’d be one of the young women receiving a @missamerica preliminary award,” she said in a post to social media. “I competed in @missmississippiorg five times before winning & in all those years, never won a single preliminary award. I remember year after feeling disappointed, but little did I know my first win would be on the big stage. Well worth the wait.”

The 2024 Miss America Finals Competition is set to take place Sunday at the Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. The event can be streamed live at WatchMissAmerica.com.