By Staff
REIGNING MISSISSIPPI JUNIOR MISS – Beth Finch is pictured hear before her vocal performance at last year's Mississippi Junior Miss program. Finch won the title on the last of three nights of competition at Meridian's Temple Theatre.
By Penny Randall / staff writer
July 27, 2003
A year has passed since Beth Finch stood nervously on Meridian's Temple Theatre stage wearing a white ball gown surrounded by her fellow Junior Miss contestants.
Finch was one of 36 young women waiting to hear the name of the girl who would represent the state as the 2003 Mississippi Junior Miss.
The next thing that happened left the then 17-year-old Clinton High School student in shock.
Her name was shouted out as the new Junior Miss followed by thunderous applause from the audience.
Finch, who arrives today to greet the 38 girls who will compete for the title of Mississippi Junior Miss 2004, was again on stage recently representing Mississippi at the national Junior Miss program in Mobile.
She has advice for her fellow Junior Miss contestants.
Finch, who will be a freshman biology major at Mississippi College this fall, said if there's one thing she could tell each contestant it would be to: "Do your best. You have to take everyday as a blessing. This will be the time of her life."
This year's contestants will arrive today for registration followed by a week of rehearsals and public appearances.
On Thursday, the 38 high school juniors will take to The Temple Theatre stage for three nights of competition. The 2004 Mississippi Junior Miss will be announced Saturday night.
Contestants for the 2004 Mississippi Junior Miss are:
Baleigh Taylor Barham, Lauderdale County
Kristen CharLee Breland, Greene County
Lindsay Kathryn Buffington, Covington County
Alexis Danielle Burnett, Picayune
Mollie Samantha Cieglo, Scott County
Lacey Cherie Cofield, Stone County
Brittany Lane Coleman, Lincoln County
Rebekah Leigh Crosby, Forrest County
Sarah Jessica Curry, Meridian
Ann Kate Davis, Lamar County
Ashley Elizabeth Flynt, Hancock County
Mary Kathryn Ford, Jasper County
Keisha Kristopher Fulcher, Winston County
Brittany Christine Gordon, Leake County
Sarah Nicole Hankins, Simpson County
Hayley Anne Hill, Smith County
Olivia Lynn Johnson, Neshoba County
Erica Megan Kelley, Wayne County
Amanda Leigh Kistler, Pascagoula
MacKenzie Reitz Keaster, Petal
Sarah Blair Livingston, Marion County
Misty Leigh Mayes, Newton County
April Leigh McDonald, George County
Jessica Renee McHan, Choctaw County
Christina Kate Myers, Madison County
Savannah Adair Newell, Perry County
Hawley Rae Robertson, Moss Point
Erica Nicole Rowell, Clarke County
Leslie Nichole Sanders, Kemper County
Rachael Kristina Shannon, Hinds County
Bethany Lee Shipp, Starkville
Ashley Nicole Smith, Jackson County
Candace Coti Olivia Smith, Pearl River County
Rebekah Kaye Staples, Jones County
Sarah Leann Syfrett, Noxubee County
Anna Elizabeth Tadlock, Rankin County
Laura Kay Thomas, Clinton
Brynna Korin Wansick, Gautier