While there may have been a few changes in this year’s Miss Mississippi Competition, it didn’t change the fact one candidate took home the title.

Miss Riverbend Mary Margaret Hyer was crowned 2019 Miss Mississippi Saturday night at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

“I am just blown away and ecstatic. I can’t even describe the way I am feeling right now,” Hyer said after winning the title. “I have always dreamed of this and looked up to Miss Mississippi and I just never thought I would be lucky enough to call myself one.”

This is Hyer’s third time to compete for the crown and she was the only candidate this year who won both preliminary competitions earlier in the week.

For the talent phase of the competition, Nyer sang “And This is My Beloved” from the musical “Kismet” and during the evening wear and social impact statement phase of the competition, she wore a sapphire blue gown.

Hyer’s social impact statement, which supports organ donation, is “Advocate Celebrate, Donate: Decreasing the Donor Organ Deficit.”

As the winner of the competition, Hyer receives a $10,000 scholarship and will advance to Miss America.

Hyer said one of the first things she is looking forward to in competing for the national title, is finding out when and where the competition will be held, as well as the new rules.

“I am looking forward to finding out about this 2.0 system,” Hyer said. “I am the first Miss Mississippi under 2.0 rules and it is a huge honor.”

At the beginning of Saturday’s competition, the top 10 candidates were named and re-competed in talent and the evening wear and social impact statement phase of the competition.

Then the top five re-competed in the on-stage question phase of the competition.

Miss Delta Charley Ann Nix was named the first runner up and was awarded a $7,500 scholarship: Miss Hattiesburg Macy Mitchell was second runner up and was awarded $5,000 in scholarships; Miss Dixie Molly May was the third runner up and was awarded a $3,000 in scholarships and Miss University Blair Wortsmith was fourth runner up and was awarded $2500 in scholarships.

Rounding out the top 10 was Miss Rhythm & Blues Dana Wesley, Miss Pontotoc Ridge Rachel Shumaker, Miss Greenville Leah Ann Boyd, Miss Natchez Trace Katelyn Elizabeth Brown and Miss All-America City Grace McClanahan.

The five semifinalists each received $2,000 in scholarships.