Hometown Rankin - February & March 2016

A Mississippi Girl
Hannah Camille Roberts was crowned Miss Mississippi in 2015
and went on to compete for the title of Miss America 2016 where she was named as first runner-up.
As a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Hannah majored in biochemistry with a minor in biology.
After getting to know her here, we were quick to realize that she’s as smart as she is beautiful.
We are so proud of this Mississippi girl!
At what age did you first begin dreaming
of being Miss America?
I’ve watched Miss America every year since I was
a young girl and I have always looked up to those
women.
Were you a regular in pageant competitions
growing up? If so, were you encouraged by
your results?
I truly did not compete in a lot of pageants as a
child. Other than Miss Mississippi, I have only
competed in Jr. Miss/Distinguished Young Woman.
Describe a typical day during your time
at the Miss America competition.
The days at Miss America typically included a
rehearsal time in the morning until mid-afternoon
and then a night event such as dinner.
Who did you consider to be your biggest
competitor in the talent division?
I definitely considered Miss Georgia, Betty
Cantrell, now Miss America, to be my biggest
competition. She has one of the best voices
I have ever heard in any pageant.
What kind of food did you eat at the
competition and was it all provided
by the pageant?
Our meals were all catered or provided by the
Miss America pageant and were selected by a
dietitian. I have never been a huge fan of dieting
or restricting food so I had everything from salad
to ice cream during those two weeks!
What was your most enjoyable part of the
pageant?
The most enjoyable part of any pageant is meeting
other young women. I made so many friends at Miss
America and stay in touch with them all the time.
What is something you learned at the pageant
that most people would never know?
Many people assume that “pageant girls” are mean
or snobby. But through this organization, I have
learned that these women are real girls. They all
have struggles and they aren’t perfect, but they are
supportive and loving and want to make a
difference in the world.
What was the most difficult part of the
pageant competition?
The most difficult part was not being able to see
my family. My family arrived in Atlantic City very
early in the week, but I had very little time to
communicate with them and did not get to see
them until Tuesday night. We are a very tight-knit
group, so this was a struggle for me.
Give some pointers to other girls who aspire
to being Miss America.
Being competitive at Miss America is all about
preparation. If this is your dream, start preparing as
soon as you can. Whether it’s developing a talent,
creating a fitness plan, or learning about politics
and interview skills, starting early is a huge benefit.
Describe your interview with the judges.
My Miss America interview was the most difficult
10 minutes of my life! It’s set up like a press conference
and all types of questions are fired at random.
What was the one food on your “can’t eat
list” that you craved the most?
Although it may have been a good idea to have a
“can’t eat list,” I never made one. However, my
favorite “bad” food is Taco Bell all the way! I am
known for showing up to interview practice with
a take-out bag in one hand and my interview
notebook in the other.
Was there ever a time in the week that you
wished you were back home living your
normal life?
Absolutely not. Only one girl from Mississippi gets
to go to Miss America each year, and this year it was
me! There was not a single moment that I regretted
being there and I soaked up every second of it.
What is your favorite memory from the
competition?
Sunday night (crowning night) after the top 15
were announced. I was announced 14th and one
of my best friends, Miss Arkansas Loren McDaniel,
was announced 15th. I think I screamed louder
when her name was called than I did for my own.
I was very close to all of the girls that made it into
the Top 15 and we were all so excited for one
another. That is a moment I’ll never forget.
What are your goals for the future?
I will begin medical school at UMMC in August
and plan to specialize in pediatric reconstructive
plastic surgery. I hope to live in Jackson or Oxford
once I graduate.
Hometown Rankin • 13