Miss Capital City Anna Leah Jolly has officially been crowned Miss Mississippi 2025.
Months of anticipation and preparation led up to Saturday night, June 14, the 92nd Miss Mississippi competition.
Jolly will serve in her new role for the next year, taking over the title from the outgoing Miss Mississippi, Becky Williams.
The third runner up was Miss University, McKenzie Cox. The second runner up was Miss Vicksburg, Morgan Nelson. The first runner up was Miss Hattiesburg, Jane Granberry.
Jolly, now a Belhaven University student, spent the first 12 years of her life in a Ukrainian orphanage before being adopted and moving to Mississippi. As a child, Jolly expressed herself through dance, using it as an outlet while adjusting to her new life and learning English.
Jolly danced ballet during Saturday’s talent portion, a performance that won her the preliminary talent round the night before.
She said standing on the stage as the newly crowned Miss Mississippi was an incredible feeling, one that she couldn’t have dreamed of as a child.
“I just want to inspire anyone who listens that no matter where you start in life, you are truly limitless,” Jolly said.
This was Jolly’s second year competing in Miss Mississippi. In the chaotic moments after she was crowned, Jolly smiled through a long line of photographs and interviews. The next few days will be just at chaotic as Jolly gives speeches, sits for more interviews and begins prep work for the Miss America competition.
See photos from Day 1 of preliminaries: Miss Mississippi: Day 1 Preliminary Competition
See photos from Day 2 of preliminaries: Miss Mississippi Pageant: Day 2 Preliminary Competition
See photos from Day 3 of preliminaries: Miss Mississippi: Day 3 Preliminary Competition
In the three nights leading up to Saturday’s finale, more than 30 contestants competed in preliminary rounds. The top 11 took the stage again to compete for the crown Saturday night.
Here are the top 11 contestants who competed for the 2025 Miss Mississippi crown:
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Karolina Heathcock, Miss Starkville
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Madison Delancey, Miss New South
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McKenzie Cox, Miss University
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Madison Belk, Miss Tupelo
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Jane Granberry, Miss Hattiesburg
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Alexa Manning, Miss Domain at Oxford
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Anna Leah Jolly, Miss Capital City
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Gracie Bassett, Miss Metro Jackson
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Katelyn Perry, Miss Jones County
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Morgan Nelson, Miss Vicksburg
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Jaycee Drew Janzen, Miss All America City
Miss Capital City Anna Leah Jolly competes in talent at the Miss Mississippi competition at the Vicksburg Convention Center in Vicksburg, Miss., on Friday, June 13, 2025. Jolly would go on to be crowned Miss Mississippi on Saturday, June 14.
How is Miss Mississippi chosen?
The contestants were judged in the following categories:
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On stage conversation: 10%
Who won during the preliminary rounds?
On the first night of preliminary rounds, Wednesday, June 11, Miss Mississippi State University Sarah Randolph won talent, and Miss Vicksburg, Morgan Nelson, won evening wear.
During the second night of preliminary rounds, Thursday, June 12, Miss Hattiesburg Jane Granberry won talent, and Miss University McKenzie Cox won evening wear.
Finally, during the third night of preliminary rounds, Friday, June 13, Miss Pine Belt Paige McNeil won evening wear, and Miss Capital City Anna Leah Jolly won talent.
Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com
Miss Hattiesburg Jane Granberry competes in evening wear at the Miss Mississippi competition at the Vicksburg Convention Center in Vicksburg, Miss., on Friday, June 13, 2025. Granberry would go on to be first runner-up for Miss Mississippi.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Miss Mississippi 2025 crowned in Vicksburg. See who won
