Southwest Mississippi Community College was doubly represented this week in the Miss Mississippi Pageant, with two students competing in Vicksburg.
SMCC 2010 graduate Megan Miller competed as Miss Rankin County/Southwest Mississippi. And SMCC sophomore Hali Sasser competed as Miss SMCC.
Miller, the daughter of John and Donna Miller of Ethel, La., tied for first place in the talent preliminary with her vocal performance last week. She also tied for first in the swimsuit preliminary competition.
Sasser is the daughter of Kitty Sasser of Summit and the late Timothy Sasser. Her pageant talent also was singing. Her platform, “Loving Those that Always Love,” focused on raising awareness about issues facing children who have mental and physical disabilities. For the past six summers, Sasser has volunteered for the McComb Junior Auxiliary’s Camp Sunshine.
Miller, who sang “Angels,” competed on the platform of “Stay Safe Behind the Wheel.” Miller was hit by a drunk driver in November 2009. Through her platform, she encourages people to stay away from destructive decisions, such as drinking and driving.
Miller graduated this May wath an associate degree in pre-medicine. While at Southwest, she was vice president of Phi Theta Kappa and the Student Government Association.
She was a dean’s list student, cheerleading captain and is a Diamond Girl.
Accompanying Miller at the pageant was her princess, Baleigh Brumfield, daughter of Mark and Dawn Brumfield of Summit.
Baleigh will be a third-grader at North Pike Middle School this fall.
Sasser is an honor graduate of North Pike High School. She is a member of New Heights Baptist Church and received a fastpitch softball scholarship to play at SMCC.
She is an education major and plans to attend Mississippi State University.
Accompanying Sasser was her princess Hannah Rae Britt, daughter of Suzannah and Anthony Britt of Summit. Hannah will be a third-grader at North Pike Elementary.
In a pageant twist, Miller was the 2009 Miss SMCC, and she crowned Sasser this year. The Miss Rankin County Southwest Mississippi is open to contestants in other counties, including Pike.
