Contestants displaying their elegance and talent at the Ole Miss Parade of Beauties 2025.
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Sponsor Our ArticlesOn March 1, 2025, Saige Drake from Brandon, Mississippi, was crowned Most Beautiful at the University of Mississippi’s Parade of Beauties. The event featured 69 contestants showcasing their talent and poise. Co-directed by juniors Sheridan Garbe and Adya Praveen, the event celebrated not just beauty but also personal growth within the Ole Miss community. With charitable donations exceeding $8,000 for the university’s food pantry, the pageant highlighted the strong community spirit at Ole Miss.
On March 1, 2025, excitement filled the air at the Gertrude C. Ford Center as the University of Mississippi held its much-anticipated Parade of Beauties. This year, junior general business major, Saige Drake, took home the title of Most Beautiful, bringing joy and pride to her hometown of Brandon, Mississippi. The event kicked off at 3 p.m. with an impressive lineup of 69 contestants vying for the coveted crown, all showcasing their poise, talent, and grace.
The Parade of Beauties is organized by the Pageant Committee of the Student Activities Association (SAA), with this year’s event co-directed by talented juniors, Sheridan Garbe and Adya Praveen. They ensured everything went off without a hitch, creating a vibrant atmosphere for both contestants and attendees alike.
Emceeing the event was last year’s Most Beautiful, Isabella Nolen, alongside Miss University 2025, McKenzie Cox. As the audience buzzed with anticipation, they watched as contestants dazzled on stage, and the excitement reached a peak when Drake was crowned, marking a new chapter in the University of Mississippi’s history book.
Drake’s journey back to the pageant scene is quite remarkable. Many may not know that while she participated in pageants in her childhood, this was her first experience in over 15 years. Her victory surprised her, and she expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support she received from the Ole Miss community. The event not only celebrates beauty but also symbolizes the personal growth and opportunity that the university fosters in its students.
The competition began with a dazzling preliminary evening wear contest. Contestants showcased their styles, and scores were awarded based on their evening wear (80% of the total score) and a 30-second question segment (20% of the total score). Following this impressive display, a total of 26 contestants advanced to the Top 25 round where the cream of the crop really emerged.
The Top 25 Beauties included a diverse and talented set of participants, each bringing their unique flair to the stage. After another round of evening wear, contestants took turns selecting questions from a glass bowl and had 30 seconds to impress the judges with their responses. The questions were thought-provoking, covering topics that revealed personal insights and reflections.
After intense deliberation, the Top 10 Beauties were announced, showcasing the standout contestants who wowed the judges with their public speaking, confidence, and thoughtful responses. They included standout names like Ella Easterling, Olivia Day, and Abby Sheffield, among others. These participants were the epitome of grace under pressure as they responded to inquiries that delved into their experiences at Ole Miss and their definitions of success.
The evening wasn’t just about the competition; it was also filled with entertainment! The audience was treated to a captivating performance by the Ole Miss Dance Company, highlighting their fall 2024 show, “Reflection.” Additionally, the 2024 Ole Miss Idol winner, Guy Vincent, added to the festivities with an acoustic cover, impressing everyone present with his musical talent.
In addition to the glitz and glamour, the pageant also made a positive impact on the community. The donation drive initiated by the pageant raised over $8,000 for the Grove Grocery, the university’s food pantry. This remarkable outreach exemplifies the strong sense of community spirit and support among the Ole Miss family, reinforcing the bonds shared within the audience and the contestants.
As the curtains closed on another spectacular Parade of Beauties, it’s clear that Ole Miss continues to cultivate a thriving community where opportunities for growth, support, and celebration flourish. With Saige Drake now crowned, we can only look forward to seeing how she represents her university and the values they hold dear throughout her reign.
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