Twelve University of Mississippi students will compete tonight in the 2010 Miss University pageant.

Miss University is a preliminary competition for Miss Mississippi and will feature its largest group of contestants since 2001.

“It says a lot about the pageant if so many girls want to represent the university,” Campus Programming Director Jennifer Taylor said. “It is important to be well rounded and be in good academic standing since it is representing the university and a scholarship pageant.”

The 61st annual competition will showcase the ladies’ intelligence, dedication to community service, beauty and performance skills.

Contestants will also be evaluated through a private interview conducted by a panel of five judges prior to the pageant followed by an onstage critique of swimwear, evening wear, talent and a final onstage interview.

Taylor emphasized the significance of community service and the ladies’ platforms in the competition.

“It is not what people think is your stereotypical pageant,” Taylor said. “Contestants have a passion for community service.”

Reigning Miss University Brooke Beard and Miss Mississippi 2009 Anna Tadlock will emcee the pageant.

Beard and Mary-Brandon Norman, Miss University 2008, said one of the most rewarding experiences during their respective reigns was the involvement in different charities and organizations. Norman raised over $35,000 benefiting the March of Dimes during her reign as Miss University.

Beard said the title opened doors for her becoming more active in the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children and the Children’s Miracle network.

Beard said preparation for the pageant is strenuous on competitors, ensuring they follow current events, stay in shape, practice their talent and keep a strict beauty regimen.

Beard said training for Miss University was the most difficult thing she has done, even without the added 18 hours of class to her schedule.

“Preparations begin nearly a year in advance to prepare for the five areas of competition,” Norman said. “What the audience at the Miss University pageant sees is a showcase of the hard work each contestant has put in for many months in advance.”

Sophomore Mary Lauren Brunson, a 2010 Miss University contestant, said her training began last semester when she began working on her talent selection and organizing her wardrobe.

Brunson said pageants challenge her to become more involved in the community while pushing her academically.

“I feel like they are rewarding, prestigious and promote young women to better themselves,” Brunson said. “They also give me an outlet to show my love of performance and being on the stage.”

Miss University winners have a long-standing success at the Miss Mississippi pageant, including two Miss America winners.

The pageant will be held at Ford Center for Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or at the UM Box Office in the Student Union. Admission is $10 with an Ole Miss student ID and $15 for the general public.

For more information, contact Jennifer Taylor at 662-915-1044.