Contestants in the eighth annual Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen pageant will have their chance at the 2012 crown when they take to the stage this week at the Vicksburg Auditorium.

This year’s competition, sponsored by the Miss Mississippi Corporation, will feature 29 girls, up from 24 girls last year. Preliminary competitions will be Thursday and Friday. Contestants 13 to 17 will be judged in five categories: private interview, talent, lifestyle and fitness, evening gown with on-stage questions and scholastic achievement. The top 10 will compete Saturday night in all categories except private interview and scholastic achievement.

Pageant producer Jaynie Fedell said the theme of this year’s production is Should Be Dancin.

Fedell said the show will feature disco, hip hop and ballet and that the Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen’s princesses will be performing to “These Boots Are Made for Walkin,” a hit recording made popular by Nancy Sinatra in 1966.

France Beard, the reigning Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen will be the star of the show, said executive director Kathryn Resio. She will perform during the pageant along with Katie Bostick who performed in last year’s production and Ian Sicks who is from Brookhaven.

“Mary Margaret Roark, Miss Mississippi 2011 and Laura Lee Lewis, Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen 2009 will be the mistresses of ceremonies for the pageant,” Fedell said.

This Year’s winner will compete in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant Aug.14-18 in Orlando. The organization, which was founded in 2005, has become one of the top scholarship providers for teen girls in the United States and to date has awarded more than $4 million in cash and in-kind scholarships.

Prizes for this year’s winner of the Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen Pageant will include a $3,500 scholarship provided by the Miss Mississippi Corporation, a $12,250 scholarship from Blue Mountain College, an $1,800 scholarship from Copiah-Lincoln Community College, a $11,500 scholarship from Itawamba Community College, a $2,000 scholarship from Hinds Community College, an $11,500 scholarship from Jones County Junior College, a $9,000 scholarship from Missisippi State University, a $20,000 scholarship from William Carey University, more than $6,000 in wardrobe and jewelry allowances from shops across the state, a one-year membership to Fitness Works and a Salon Services Package from Tan-Tastics in Vicksburg. The 1st alternate will receive $1,200, 2nd alternate $800, 3rd alternate $600, 4th alternate $400 and the remaining five semifinalists will receive $300 each. Preliminary winners will each receive $150 and overall winners for Talent, Scholastics, Platform, Lifestyle and Interview will each receive $150.

This year’s contestants are:

• Miss Amory Railroad Festival’s Outstanding Teen C.J. Williams, 15, is the daughter of Tina and Roger Williams of Tupelo. C. J. attends Tupelo High School, where she is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, Beta Club and served as a page for Mississippi Lt. Governor Tate Reeves and State Senator Nancy Collins. Her platform is Performing Arts for Every Child. She will sing.

• Miss Central Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Ashley Lane Beneke, 17, is the daughter of Jill and Richard Beneke of Jackson and attends Jackson Preparatory School, where she is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, National Junior Classical League Honor Society, and is serving a second term on The City of Jackson’s Mayors Youth Council. Her platform is Lets Get Healthy Kids. She will play the piano.

• Miss Clinton’s Outstanding Teen Emily Lauren Boyd, 17, is the daughter of Kay and Robert Boyd of Clinton. Emily attends Clinton High School where she is on the A/B Honor Roll, has been in the All State Honor Choir for four years and is a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions. Her platform is Down’s Syndrome. She will sing.

• Miss Deep South’s Outstanding Teen Kate Robison, 17, is the daughter of Angie and Clay Robison of Laurel. Kate attends West Jones High School where she is a member of the Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her platform is “Bee Smart” abstinence education. She will sing.

• Miss Delta Blues’s Outstanding Teen Charley Ann Nix, 15, is the daughter of Margaret and Chuck Nix of Batesville. Charley attends North Delta School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, serves on the Student Council and is class secretary. Her Platform is Bullying. She will dance.

• Miss Dixie’s Outstanding Teen Molly May, 17, is the daughter of Debra May of Houston. 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. She will sing.

• Miss Dogwood Festival’s Outstanding Teen Macala Boxx, 17, is the daughter of Teresa and Jim Boxx of Clinton. Macala attends Clinton High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and received the Presidential Scholars Award. Her platform is CJ Stewart Foundation. She will sing.

• Miss Hattiesburg’s Outstanding Teen Macy Mitchell, 15, is the daughter of Leesa and Mike Mitchell of Petal. Macy attends Petal High School where she is a member of the Shared Decision Making Council, treasurer of the Freshman Student Council and is a member of the Youth Praise and Worship Band at her church. Her platform is the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She will sing.

• Miss Heart of the South’s Outstanding Teen Katelyn Corinne McNesse, 15, is the daughter of Lisa McNeese of Brandon. Katelyn attends Brandon High School where she is a member of the Beta Club, won the Book Worm Award and Presidential Award. Her platform is Teen Pregnancy Prevetion. She will sing.

• Miss Heartland’s Outstanding Teen Reagan Lane Norwood, 15, is the daughter of Karen and Phillip Norwood of Biloxi. Reagan attends Biloxi High School where she is on the all A Honor Roll, a member of the Junior National Honor Society and is the Student Body President. Her platform is S.O.S. Shoes or Socks Serving the Homeless.

• Miss Leaf River Valley’s Outstanding Teen Hannah Elizabeth Matherne, 16, is the daughter of Jennifer and Blake Matherne of Purvis. Hannah attends Oak Grove High School where she has been on the All A Honor Roll, is a member of the Student Council and the Red Cross. Her platform is Pursue Your Talents. She will dance.

• Miss Madison’s Outstanding Teen Alexa Arguedas, 16, is the daughter of Linda and Jimmy Hardy of Madison. Alexa attends Madison Central High School where she is on the A/B Honor Roll and participated in a canned food drive for the Make-A-Wish foundation. Her platform is Commit to be Fit. She will dance.

• Miss Madison County’s Miss Outstanding Teen Nicole Poole, 17, is the daughter of Penney and Kim Poole of Madison. Nicole attends Madison Central High School where she is on the Honor Roll, a Duke Tip Scholar and vis a Bingo leader at Nichol’s Center. Her platform is Read Across America. She will dance.

• Miss Magnolia’s Outstanding Teen Leah Yasmeen Gibson, 17, is the daughter of Tamara and Kelvin Gibson of Starkville. Leah attends Starkville High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, received a JROTC Superior Cadet Award and served on the Starkville Mayor’s Youth Council. Her platform is iChoose… Promoting Teen Driver Safety. She will sing.

• Miss Metro Jackson’s Outstanding Teen Elaine Nicole Smith, 16, is the daughter of Cindy and Wade Smith of Clinton. Lainey attends Clinton High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Safety Club and has been in the Mississippi State Honor Choir for three years. Her platform is Juvenile Diabetes Awareness. She will sing.

• Miss MidSouth’s Outstanding Teen Katelyn Perry, 13, is the daughter of Tracy and John Perry of Gulfport. Katelyn is home-schooled and has organized a statewide food drive and received the Mississippi Golden Award of Excellence for her work with local charities and organizations. Her platform is Evan’s Hope. She will sing.

•Miss New South’s Outstanding Teen Holly Howard, 17, is the daughter of Sharon and Tod Howard of Meridian. Holly attends Meridian High School where she is on the president’s list, is a member of the A-Team Science Club and received English Honors. Her platform is Cans for Kids. She will dance.

• Miss Northridge’s Outstanding Teen Lydia Myers, 15, is the daughter of Teri and Bill Myers of Laurel. Lydia attends Northeast Jones High School where she is member of the Beta Club, is on the Honor Roll and is the Drum Major. Her platform is I’m Worth More Than That-Building Self-Esteem in Teenage Girls. She will sing.

• Miss Pearl River Valley’s Outstanding Teen Anne Elizabeth Buys, 16 , is the daughter of Judy and Mark Buys of Vicksburg. Anne Elizabeth attends Porters Chapel Academy where she is in the National Honor Society, won first place in the school science fair and is a Student Council member. Her platform is Operation Blessing-Clean Water. She will dance.

• Miss Pontotoc’s Outstanding Teen Kinslee Hancock, 16, is the daughter of Scottie and Cliff Hancock of Ponotoc. Kinslee attends North Pontotoc High School where she is a member of Beta Club, FBLA and of the school’s archery team. Her platform is Assisting the Elderly in Nursing Homes. She will dance.

• Miss Riverbend’s Outstanding Teen Katie Pinkard, 16, is the daughter of Nanette Pinkard of Clinton. Katie attends Clinton High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, received the Student VIP Award for Outstanding Accomplishments 2012 and has served as a choir officer. Her platform is Diamonds Sparkle. She will dance.

• Miss Riverland’s Outstanding Teen Alivia Paden Roberts, 15, is the daughter of Teresa and Kenneth Roberts of Shannon. Alicia attends Shannon High School where she is an All A honor student, a member of the 4-H Honor Club and serves on the Student Council. Her platform is Hope Phones: Relieving Human Suffering. She will dance.

• Miss Southern Magnolia’s Outstanding Teen Layla Vaughn Taylor, 16, is the daughter of Angela and John Cohea of Nettleton. Layla attends Nettleton High School where she is on the Honor Roll, and is a member of the Student Council and Student Government. Her platform is March of Dimes: Saving Babies. She will sing.

• Miss Southland’s Outstanding Teen Callie Shirley, 16 is the daughter of Tammy and Barri Shirley of Madison. Callie attends Madison Central High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and has served as a Bible study leader for junior high girls. Her platform is MUSIK (Motivating, Uniting and Strengthening Inner-city Kids). She will play the piano.

• Miss Spirit of the South’s Outstanding Teen Olivia Sanguinetti, 17, is the daughter of Lucy and Jay Sanguinetti of Hattiesburg. Olivia attends Oak Grove High School where she is on the All A Honor Roll, a member of Beta Club and is a Student Council representative. Her platform is Raising Awareness for Special Needs Students Through the Jr. Civitan Club. She will sing.

• Miss Turtle Creek’s Outstanding Teen Brooke Bullock, 15, is the daughter of Suzanne and Greg Bullock of Petal. Brooke attends Petal High School where she was a finalist in the Patriot’s Pen writing contest and is a member of the National Honor Society. Her platform is U R Uniforms. She will play the piano.

• Miss Tupelo’s Outstanding Teen Allison Nichols, 14, is the daughter of Tonya and Brad Nichols of Tupelo. Allison attends Tupelo High School where she is on the principal and superintendent lists, was a Duke Scholar nominee and was chosen to participate in the Mississippi Women’s All State choir. Her platform is Improving the lives of children with special needs. She will sing.

• Miss Vicksburg’s Outstanding Teen Alexis Stevenson, 16, is the daughter of Pamela Williams of Vicksburg. Alexis attends Vicksburg High School where she is a member of the National Honor society, Mu Alpha Theta and started a Student of Praise Choir at her high school. Her platform is Girls Inc. She will dance.

• Miss West Central’s Outstanding Teen Skylar Bunch, 13, is the daughter of Sabrina Waters of Heidelberg. Skylar attends Laurel Christian High School where she is an honor student, has won a technology award and is a member of Jones County 4-H. Her platform is Peek.A.Boo: Diabetes Awareness. She will sing.