Haley Sowers of Meridian, third from left, has been crowned Miss Mississippi USA 2016 and will represent her home state at the Miss USA Pageant in 2016.

Sowers is a graduate of Mississippi State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in broadcasting and public relations. She is the daughter of Ronnie and Gina Sowers. Pictured with Sowers are Miss Mississippi USA 2016 Top 5 contenders, from left: April Mayfield, first runner-up; Chandler Short, second runner-up; Olivia Haskins, fourth runner-up; and Jayce Henry, third runner-up.