Jasmine Murray is on her way to the Miss America Pageant, and local residents are getting together to show their support. Mississippi School of the Arts will be hosting a viewing party for students and local residents Sunday, Sept. 14, when the pageant finals air on television.

Miss Mississippi Murray, 22, is a native of Columbus and graduated from MSA. She is currently pursuing a broadcast communication degree at Mississippi State.

Her talent for the pageant is vocal, and her platform issue is “13 Going on 30 – Teaching Young Girls to Embrace Their Age.”

Her career plans include becoming a professional vocalist and a news anchor.

The public is invited to join students and MSA faculty and staff in the school cafeteria in the student life building on campus. The party will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14, and the pageant will begin at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Attendees are encouraged to dress up and wear their own tiaras to celebrate Murray’s run for the crown.

In the meantime, MSA also asks that everyone vote for Murray for this year’s people’s choice at Miss America. The winner of the award will automatically be moved in to the top 15 finalists. To vote, visit: http://www.missamerica.org/vote/default.aspx

The Miss America Pageant will air live from Atlantic City Sunday at 7 p.m. on ABC.