By Emily Jenkins, Staff Writer

Junior accounting major Jesse Norvell was announced Miss MHB 2026 as well as Miss Congeniality on Saturday, Nov. 1, during the “Dancing with the Stars” Miss MHB event. For her talent, Norvell sang while playing the guitar her own rendition of the 1873 hymn “It is Well.”  Norvell also plans to initiate her personal platform “Educating young adults on the importance of financial literacy,” as recorded in UMHB’s press release. 

“It’s not just about, you know, the pretty dresses, and, like, that aspect of most pageants, it’s a lot about your character and how you can better serve the campus,” said Miss MHB Assistant Director and Miss MHB 2025 contestant Melissa Wilcox⁠.

Miss MHB is an annual UMHB tradition that began in 1845. This year, 13 female students participated in the 2026 Miss MHB pageant after six weeks of preparation, as said. Over 20 people go into making this event a reality. 

Wilcox said that the pageant is “still about the way you present yourself: with grace and poise and being able to walk confidently on the stage, but it’s a lot about what you’re passions are within the girls’ speeches that they present to the judges and the other contestants the morning of as well as their interview and their platforms.”

During the first half of the event, the 13 contestants performed a choreographed dance while sharing information about themselves. As the event continued, each contestant performed their talent. After intermission, all of the contestants dressed in their evening gowns and performed another choreographed dance. The judges, Shelley Ford, Lauren Gentry and Tobin Davies decided the top five competitors after intermission. The five were announced after the evening gown walk. Each of the top five were interviewed before the winners were announced.