Jessie Norvell Crowned Miss Mary Hardin-Baylor 2026

Belton, Texas - Miss Accounting Student Association, Jessie Norvell, was named Miss Mary Hardin-Baylor 2026 on Saturday, Nov. 1, in the annual Miss MHB Pageant held in W.W. Walton Chapel. Norvell is a 20-year-old junior Accounting major from Temple, Texas. She is the daughter of Will and Beth Norvell.

Norvell is the Head Resident Assistant at Farris Hall, a student worker for University Relations, and the student leader of the chapel band. She enjoys reading, creating Spotify playlists, and playing the piano and guitar. For the pageant's talent portion, Norvell played the guitar and sang "It is Well."

Norvell's personal platform is "Educating young adults on the importance of financial literacy." She plans to implement training sessions on campus for students on budgeting and money management.

The reigning Miss MHB, Sophie Stockton, crowned Jessie Norvell at the end of the evening's contest. Also recognized were the fourth runner-up, Kylee Carter, Miss Women in Science and Engineering; the third runner-up, Farrah Sanchez, Miss Hispanic Student Association; the second runner-up, Eliana Brou, Miss University Ambassadors; and the first runner-up, Meredith Watson, Miss Student Government Association.

A few other awards were given out during Saturday's "Dancing With The Stars" event. Miss Sport Industry Alliance, Kendall Bickerdike, was recognized as the evening's Best Talent for dancing. Miss Baptist Student Ministry, Delaney Newman, won Best Evening Gown. Miss Burt Hall, Kennedy Wells, was awarded Best Interview, and Miss Accounting Student Association, Jessie Norvell, was recognized as Miss Congeniality.

This year's pageant director was Kelsiy Kniffen, a 20-year-old majoring in Entrepreneurship and Small Business from Lorena, Texas. Assistant Directors were Grace Guenther, a 20-year-old Physical Education major with a concentration in Coaching from San Marcos, Texas, and Melissa Wilcox, a 20-year-old Art Education major from Rockwall, Texas.

The Miss MHB Pageant recognizes young women who demonstrate self-confidence, personality, and inner beauty. Each of the evening's 13 contestants represented a campus organization or residence hall. All contestants participated in individual interviews, a group dance number, talent presentations, and an evening gown stroll. Additionally, the women were asked to discuss their individual platforms, highlighting issues of particular concern to them.