Kimberly Morgan, Miss Heritage, is the second African American in history to receive the honor. The first was Toni Seawright in 1987.
From the Daily Journal:
Morgan won a $15,000 scholarship and will attempt to become the fifth Mississippian to win the Miss America pageant. It was her second attempt to win the state pageant.
“It’s been a dream come true,” Morgan said in a television interview after winning. “I’m just looking forward to the rest of the year and the Miss America pageant. I’m ready.”
Morgan, who was Miss Heritage, is the second African-American contestant to win the contest. She won the talent preliminary on Thursday after singing the song “Summertime.”
The Oxford native was born with severe hearing loss, but multiple surgeries solved the problem and today she is a music teacher.
Previous Comments
Applause.
#113506 | Author: dpsmith | Date: Jul 18 2007
Yeah, I saw a clip of her singing in the pageant on WLBT, and she has a beautiful voice.
#113507 | Author: LatashaWillis | Date: Jul 18 2007
The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.