MERIDIAN —     From CPR classes to vying for the crown, Bonnie Blue Dulaney, Miss Meridian 2012, is up for the challenge. The Meridian native just finished her freshman year at Mississippi State University, where she is studying biomedical engineering, and has a big week ahead as she travels to Vicksburg, Miss., to compete for the Miss Mississippi crown.

    Since attending the scholarship pageant as a seven-year old tomboy, Dulaney knew she wanted to take part in the opportunity one day.

    "I just remember seeing the girls walk on stage and perform their talents; one contestant in particular, a blonde in a blue dress, caught my eye, and I vowed to be her one day," Dulaney said. "I had forgotten about my first memory of Miss Mississippi until the other day when I realized that wearing my talent gown, I would be that blonde in a blue dress I always dreamed to be."

    As for what drove her to represent her hometown, Dulaney describes Meridian’s uniqueness and refuses to call it just another "average hometown." Enjoying the rich history and musical roots that characterizes the Queen City, Dulaney will channel her love for Meridian and good music through her talent piece at the pageant. This portion, which accounts for 35 percent of a contestant’s total score, will culminate when Dulaney takes the stage on Friday night. Playing George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue on the piano, Dulaney describes her appreciation for the piece: “You can’t help but fall in love with this piece when you hear it. When I play Rhapsody in Blue, I feel like I am back in 1920’s Paris ... it’s the best feeling. I love to entertain, and this piece is the perfect one to entertain with.”

    While competing in Vicksburg throughout the week, Dulaney hopes to put her hours of preparation to good work. Logging more than 300 hours of piano practice, accomplishing every task while wearing high heels, and scouring current events via numerous news sources are just a few of the many ways she has gone about preparing herself for pageant weekend.

    For the pageant, each contestant is required to have a platform issue, also known as an outlet for service and philanthropy that betters themselves and their communities. Dulaney chose a practical platform that can help save lives. “My platform, called Hands on Hearts, seeks to educate people on the importance of CPR certification," she said. "With a work history as a lifeguard and an experience saving a life with it, I am very passionate about CPR. I have spoken to high school students, Greek organizations, community clubs, and progressive clubs about the techniques of CPR and how to become certified.”

    Asked how she should represent the Magnolia state at the Miss America pageant, her response was: “Someone once told me I was like a Swiss Army Knife, meaning I’m very versatile."

    " I do a lot of very different things, and I have connected with very diverse groups of people in my life," she said. "I would be prepared and capable to do anything asked of me as Miss Mississippi. From teaching CPR seminars to speaking to students about the anti-tobacco campaign, Tar Wars, I would dedicate my time to being a strong leader for our state. Miss Mississippi needs to be able to relate to a lot of people, and with my Swiss Army Knife-like personality, I would be able to effectively reach diverse groups of people across our state.”

    In her free time, Dulaney is an active member of Phi Mu sorority at MSU, and serves as a Roadrunner Student Recruiter. You can follow her blog, read about her Miss Meridian adventures, and show support as she competes in the 2012 Miss Mississippi Pageant this weekend in Vicksburg, Miss., by going to her blog:  www.missmeridian2012.blogspot.com