By Myra Bean

Batesville’s Maddie Sullivant was crowned Miss Magnolia State last Saturday night in Vicksburg.

This is the second straight year someone from Panola County has won a title. “That is a big deal. It’s unheard of,” Sullivant said. Keyshaw Taylor of Batesville served as Mrs. Magnolia State last year.

“When I realized I was in the top five, I thought there was no way that I would win this title,” Sullivant said. “All of those women had won before and I thought they were better than me.”

Sullivant, daughter of Cynthia Barefoot of Charleston and Bryant Sullivant of Batesville, wants to be a dental hygienist and is currently enrolled at Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead. She received a $1,000 cash award and will put it towards her studies.

“I told my mom you know you getting old when you use your money to pay for school,” Sullivant said. Her siblings are Blake Sullivant and sister Mary-Alden Sullivant.

Sullivant, 20, is a former Most Beautiful at North Delta School and the is the reigning Panola County Miss Hospitality. She represented under the title Miss Dixie for this pageant.

Because of her participation in those early pageants and the state Miss Hospital pageant, Sullivant said she had more confidence in this competition.

Responsibilities for winners of the Magnolia State pageant aren’t as hard as the Miss Mississippi pageant and Sullivant said she did not have to choose a platform cause to promote as winner. She will promote the pageant around the state and encourage more women to enter.

Before she was announced as Miss Magnolia State, she was winner of the casual wear award, first alternate in most photogenic category, and fourth alternate in the Viewer’s Choice Award.

As a winner, Sullivant is already looking forward to a summer cruise to Jamaica with the rest of the pageant queens in the four age divisions. The divisions are: Junior (12-14), Teen (15-17), Miss (18-28), and Mrs. (married of any age).

To learn more about the pageant, visit the website at www.missmagnoliastate.com.