Madalyn Oliphant of Hickory was crowned Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2025 on Saturday, March 29, during the state pageant held at the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw. Representing East Central Mississippi as Miss East Central Teen, Oliphant is a 2024 graduate of Newton County High School and currently attends East Central Community College. Her win marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first African-American titleholder in the competition’s history and first from Newton County.
“Leading up to that moment, I honestly just wanted to make the top 10,” Oliphant said following the pageant. “From there it was genuine shock. You can see in my crowning moment. So even now it's so hard for me to think that I just won a state title and now we're only going up from here.”
Oliphant has competed in the state pageant three times, previously reaching the semifinals in all attempts. This year, she emerged victorious among a field of semifinalists that included Kaelyn Bowen, Brentlee Lindsey, Regan Tedder, Elaina Uzzle, and Brittyn Wheeler.
Maddie Oliphant being crowned Miss Mississippi Teen USA by the outgoing Mississippi representative and Miss Teen USA Addie Carver
Georgia Bell Beard was named first runner-up, followed by Braley Dickerson as second runner-up, Miriam Hockman as third runner-up, and Mari Parker Makamson as fourth runner-up. Makamson also earned the Miss Congeniality award. Dickerson had placed fourth runner-up in the previous year’s competition. The Photogenic award went to Baylee Anna Bain.
Reflecting on her groundbreaking win, Oliphant shared, “I'm the first African-American, Miss Mississippi Teen USA. It is a huge accomplishment and not only for me, but for future girls that look like me that want to compete... I was the only black girl in the teen division and so that was really crazy all weekend... I think at the same time I could kind of use that to my advantage and use that as a talking point in my interview and I did.”
Local and state leaders offered their congratulations. Mississippi House Representative Randy Rushing called her “an exceptional young lady,” while Newton County Schools Superintendent Brooke Sibley praised Oliphant as “a distinguished alumna... Her success reflects her hard work, strong character, and commitment to excellence.” Hickory Alderman Ken Morgan called her achievement “an inspiration to our entire community,” and East Central Community College President Brent Gregory said, “we're very proud of Madalyn.” State Senator Tyler McCaughn noted, “This is truly a historic win for our area and the state.”
The pageant consisted of multiple phases, including interview, evening gown, and fitness competitions. Oliphant also shared her community platform, Maddie’s Little Library, which focuses on improving childhood literacy. “I’ve hosted local book drives to give back to the community of Newton County,” she explained. “As Miss Mississippi Teen USA, I want to hold a statewide book drive... to distribute to as many libraries, preschools and daycares as I can.”
The top five from left to right: University Teen Miriam Hockman, Spirit of Volunteer Teen Georgia Bell Beard, East Central Teen and Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2025 Maddie Oliphant, Mid-South Teen Braley Dickerson, Greenwood Teen Mari Parker Makamson. Courtesy of Miss Mississippi Teen USA
A native of Hickory and current resident of Decatur, Oliphant credits her close-knit hometown community with helping shape her values. “Newton County is a very small town, but the thing I love about living in a small town is that everyone knows everyone,” she said. “There’s this sense of community.”
Oliphant will go on to represent Mississippi at the Miss Teen USA national pageant, typically held in August in Los Angeles, California. She was crowned by Addie Carver, the outgoing Miss Mississippi Teen USA, who went on to win the national Miss Teen USA title in 2024.
“Being her successor is such a tough act to follow,” Oliphant said. “And the fact that they crowned me out of all people really says something... now I have to fill in her shoes and do a great job and I know that I'm ready to hit the ground running and that's exactly what I'm doing.”
In a final message, Oliphant expressed gratitude and pride: “I'm representing Mississippi, I'm representing all the girls that competed against me. I want to represent the girls that look like me as well. I want to represent women in general... because we make history.”
