Vicksburg resident Morgan Nelson, first runner-up to Miss Mississippi 2026, begins her first year of medical school this fall at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Since first competing at Miss Mississippi, Nelson finished in the Top 10 in 2023, was second runner-up in 2024 and 2025 and was first runner-up to Miss Mississippi 2026 Jane Granberry this year. Since her sophomore year at Mississippi State University, Nelson has been a valued member of the PROMISE Program, said Dr. Dan Coleman, medical school outreach director. “The Office of Admission has directly observed her growth, not only as a PROMISE student but also during her tenure as Miss Mississippi State. Nelson’s journey to the Miss Mississippi Organization began after a phone call from her cousin Dante Sanders, a Vicksburg native who has served as a judge for various competitions and is a pageant coach.