The University of Mississippi’s 78th Miss University pageant took place on Oct. 11 in the Gertrude Ford Center for Performing Arts. Junior integrated marketing communications and public policy leadership double major Brooke Bumgarner left the stage as this year’s Miss University.
Seven contestants competed in various categories, each vying for the title of Miss University and the opportunity to compete later on for the title of Miss Mississippi.
The pageant was emceed by the current Miss Mississippi titleholder, Jane Granberry; Cameron Davis, Miss University 2026; and Madalyn Sullivan, Miss Mississippi’s Teen 2026. A panel of six judges, Kristy Brumfield, Deterrain Jones, Will Hunt, Simone Wulson, Kacie Drake and Jennifer Jernigan Gross scored the competition.
The Miss Mississippi Scholarship Organization gives Miss University and three runner-ups prize money for their achievements each year at the pageant.
Granberry reminded the audience of the integrity and bravery it takes to compete in a pageant.
“I just want to continue to emphasize how impressive these young women are. It is not an easy thing to come up on a stage and share something like a talent you’ve been working on or a CSI that you really care about,” Granberry said.
Malley Chase Faulkner, a senior journalism major, came to the show to support the organization as an ongoing competitor in the Miss Mississippi competition.
“I have been competing in the Miss Mississippi organization for four years, and I think one of the best experiences of my life is being able to go to school at Ole Miss with the support of the (Miss) Mississippi Organization,” Faulkner said.
In the first category, worth 10% of their total score, the contestants drew a prompt at random from a bowl. Then, each contender gave a thoughtful response about their own goals, community service initiative (CSI) and how they relate to what it means to be a Miss University titleholder.
Contestant Shaminka Elwin, a marketing and management major, said her CSI and Mississippi’s agriculture inspired her to compete.
“I competed because I see the value of agriculture in Mississippi, so I wanted to bring my community service initiative, ‘Planting Knowledge, Growing Advocates,’ here,” Elwin said.
Once the question-and-answer portion concluded, each contestant competed in the talent portion, which is worth 20% of their total score. Contestants delivered performances ranging from singing and dancing to a speed drawing of Elvis Presley.
Contestant Sierra Eliason, a freshman finance major, said the talent category pushed her out of her comfort zone.
“I also liked ‘your talent’, because it pushed me, and I was so nervous going into it, and I’ve never done that before,” Eliason said. “But, it was really fun, and I think it was a good, pushing experience.”
Third, contestants competed in the health-and-fitness portion. Contestants’ performances contributed to 20% of their overall score. Elwin said she appreciated the philanthropic cause behind the health-and-fitness portion.
“My favorite category is definitely fitness,” Elwin said. “I love the partnership with the American Heart Association.”
The final portion of the competition was the evening gown phase: a full-glam runway in which contestants can highlight their elegance and stunning dresses. Each contestant’s evening gown look highlighted her elegance and personal style.
After all portions were completed, including behind-the-scenes interviews with contestants earlier in the week, the judges announced the winner. 2025 titleholder Davis crowned Bumgarner as this year’s Miss University.
