A former Miss Peach is now Miss Mississippi USA.

Thorsby native Keeley Patterson, now living in Starkville, Miss., and attending Mississippi State University, won that state’s precursor to the Miss USA pageant, which is part of the Miss Universe pageant.

Patterson competed in Miss Peach pageants for 13 years before winning the crown in 2008 and said the local pageants prepared her for the competition of a state level pageant and for the responsibility that comes with winning one.

“If anything, I was taught never to give up from that,” Patterson said. “And once I won, getting to meet the public, always being on my toes and ready to speak, representing Chilton County—it definitely prepared me.”

Patterson also won the 2009 Miss Alabama Teen USA pageant.

She is a sophomore studying marketing at MSU.

“This year marks the 60th anniversary for the Miss Mississippi USA pageant, and our new Miss Mississippi USA, Keeley Patterson, will advance to the nationally televised 2011 Miss USA pageant on NBC,” Kim Greenwood, executive director of Greenwood Productions, said in a press release. “All of the winners are receiving a plethora of prizes including wardrobe, jewelry, and modeling opportunities. Additionally, the winners of Miss Mississippi USA and Miss Mississippi Teen USA will receive scholarships and other prizes.”

The Miss Mississipi USA pageant was held Nov. 6 at Harrah’s Casino in Tunica, Miss., and the Miss USA pageant will be held in April.

Patterson said the response from proud friends and relatives back home has been “overwhelming.”

“I didn’t expect that,” she said. “I think it’s important to remember where you came from. Chilton County will always be my home, no matter what state I’m representing.”