Two local girls are making their mark on the Dixie NationalRodeo, which begins tonight at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds inJackson.

Ellanie Davis and Kelsey Ann Jackson will both perform at therodeo, although in entirely different venues.

Davis is Miss Dixie National Rodeo Queen. She will makeappearances at all the rodeo events and be featured in the nightlyparades. Davis won the coveted crown by competing in a two-daypageant that included horsemanship, interview and fashion.

Davis is the 18-year-old daughter of Randall and Donna Davis.She is the granddaughter of Homer and Carol Brewer. She iscurrently a sophomore at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Jackson has been chosen to be a part of the pre-rodeoentertainment for tonight’s opening night activities.

She will perform before country music star Dierks Bentley to asold-out crowd in the Mississippi Coliseum. This is the fourth yearthe 14 year old has performed at the rodeo.

Jackson is the daughter of Teddy and Jennifer Jackson. She is aneighth grade student at Brookhaven Academy.

The Dixie National Rodeo will run through Feb. 15.