Miss Madison County won talent, and Miss New South took the evening wear trophy Friday in the final night of preliminary competition at the seventh annual Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Pageant.

A winner will be crowned at Vicksburg Auditorium tonight, and that young woman will head to the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant, set for Aug. 20 in Orlando.

Miss Madison County’s Outstanding Teen France Beard, 17, is the daughter of Ann and Clay Beard of Madison. She attends St. Joseph Catholic School. She danced Friday night to a routine called “La Sleur.”

Miss New South’s Outstanding Teen Mackenzie Ross, 15, is the daughter of Cindy and Jim Ross of Meridian. She is homeschooled.

Tonight’s finals will start at 8, with the announcement of the top 10 of the pageant’s 24 competitors. Those 10 will compete in talent, lifestyle and fitness, and evening gown with an on-stage interview.

Each contestant has already been judged based on scholastic achievement and a private interview.

Preliminary winners will receive a $150 savings bond. Thursday night’s winners were Miss Riverland’s Outstanding Teen Anne Elizabeth Buys for evening wear and Miss Delta Blues’ Outstanding Teen Lydia Myers for talent.

Anne Elizabeth, 15, is the daughter of Judy and Mark Buys of Vicksburg. She is a student at Porters Chapel Academy. Lydia, 14, is the daughter of Teri and Bill Myers of Laurel and attends Northeast Jones Middle School.

Tickets for the finals tonight are $25 each. Call 601-638-6746.