Bethany Pratt Competes For Miss Mississippi PDF Print E-mail
By JOEL McNEECE
Bethany Pratt has been training, studying, and practicing since last November all for this week – the Miss Mississippi Pageant.
Pratt, the 19-year-old daughter of James and Becky Wright of Banner, won the Miss Delta Blues qualifier last November. Since, it has been a whirlwind of activity to prepare for Miss Mississippi.
Pratt’s workout routine includes weight-lifting, yoga, a minimum two-mile run and work on an inclined treadmill.
“I do take one day off a week,” said Pratt, a Dietetics and Nutrition major at Ole Miss.
Pratt’s dedication to physical fitness is part of her pageant platform (Chronic Disease Prevention through F.I.T.N.E.S.S. – Family Interaction Targeting Nutrition and Exercise to Shape-up Society), and it’s also why she’s actually looking forward to the swimsuit competition.
“That’s probably what most contestants dread, but I’ve worked the hardest for that,” Pratt said.
bethany_shoes.jpgWhen she wasn’t working out, she’s often been studying binders and binders full of news and information so she will be prepared for any kind of question she might be asked during the interview portion of the competition. She was interviewed privately by the judges for nine minutes on Tuesday, then during the evening-gown competition on Thursday night, she will be asked a question on stage.
“That’s the one I’m more anxious about,” Pratt said. “It could be on absolutely anything and you only have 15 seconds to answer.”
Pratt has also put in countless hours working on her talent. She will be singing Rosemary Clooney’s “Mambo Italiano.” She consulted with Bill Wolfe, of Missouri, a professional in musical arrangements for the pageant industry, who helped her edit the song down to 90-seconds, the required length in the competition.
Pratt, who has sung locally with Lyrix at various events, said Suzanne Oakley also helped her with some of the choreography. She was able to use the Bollinger Family Theatre as well for practices.
“It was really helpful to get the feel of performing on stage as I will in Vicksburg,” Pratt said.
Pratt’s wardrobe for the competition consists of almost a dozen pairs of shoes and just as many dresses.
“Most of my clothes came from Bonnie’s in Bruce,” Pratt said. “That definitely made things easier.”
On Monday she wore a silk La Femme dress for the kick-off parade and autograph party. She chose a White House/Black Market dress for Tuesday’s interview. Her entertainment dress is an Ann Northington featuring a red bodice with black lace overlay and covered with red stones.
Bethany will wear a hand-beaded white lace gown from the Tony Bowls Collection for her evening gown in the competition. Her bathing suit is a pacific blue two-piece by Lady M. She also has countless other cocktail dresses, for each arrival and various event throughout the week.
Pratt’s preparation also included numerous essays to make her eligible for the many scholarship opportunities the pageant offers. Miss Mississippi awards more scholarship money than any other pageant in the country.
Pratt arrived in Vicksburg last Friday where the rehearsals began Saturday. All of the contestants moved to the Horizon Sunday night where almost all communication with the outside world was eliminated.
“We can’t have a telephone, television or computer. We do get a newspaper,” Pratt said. “The only time we can visit with family and friends is for 15 minutes each night. We get eight passes for people to get in to see us.”
Pratt is rooming with Daniell Smith of Meridian. The two share a house mother who can help with certain tasks, but for most things they’re on their own, including hair and makeup.
“We have to do all our hair and makeup in our room by ourselves,” Pratt said. “I’ve done several test runs. I went to Kim’s (Kim &?Company) one day so they could show me how to put my hair up by myself.”
Pratt said she also had some lessons in applying HD makeup, which is a heavier kind of make-up for appearing on television.
The 45 contestants are divided into groups. Pratt is in Group A which completed interviews Tuesday. She will perform her talent tonight (Wednesday), with evening wear and on-stage question Thursday night and swimwear Friday. Saturday night’s competition will be limited to the top 10, but will include group performances featuring all 45 contestants.
Bethany selected Bailey Massey of Bruce as her princess. Bailey, the daughter of Maria Baker and Chad Massey, will be at the pageant all week as well. She will present flowers to Bethany at the end of her performances and will also have some dance numbers with other princesses.
Other events Bethany will be appearing at will include an autograph party at The Outlets at Vicksburg from 10-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 16. Another autograph party will be held Friday, July 17 from 10-11:30 a.m. in Downtown Vicksburg in various stores along Washington Street.
The Miss Mississippi Party will be at 11 p.m. Friday, July 17 at the Roca Restaurant at the Vicksburg Country Club. Tickets can be purchased for $20 from the pageant office.
The Miss Mississippi Awards Ball will be Saturday, July 18 at 11 p.m. at the Vicksburg Municipal Auditorium. Tickets are also available for $20 from the pageant office.
“Bethany has been an exceptional young lady to work with,” said Tammy Carver Wells of Eupora, Pratt’s sponsor. “In the 10 years I have done this she is one of the most outstanding women I’ve ever worked with.”
“I really appreciate the town giving her the trunk show,” Wells  said. “The community support has been unbelievable.”
Single night tickets for the pageant are still available by calling 601-638-6746. The pageant takes place at the Vicksburg Convention Center beginning at 8 p.m. each night.