Monticello resident Shanteau Tirello was crowned Mrs.Mississippi USA Saturday and will go on to compete for the nationaltitle this summer in Las Vegas.

Four women competed in what Tirello described as a highlycompetitive, one-day event Saturday at the Regency Hotel inJackson.

Tirello, a paralegal with Brookhaven attorney CarlisleHenderson’s law office, handled the pressure. As winner, Tirelloreceived a banner, a crown and all expenses paid to the Mrs. USApageant in Las Vegas on July 26-27.

Tirello is still surprised and overwhelmed with the statevictory.

“I’d just like to thank all of my sponsors, friends and familyfor making this opportunity possible,” Tirello said.

Her most enthusiastic supporter is her husband Brant, Tirellosaid.

“He was so excited. I honestly think he was more excited thanme,” she said.

Others were excited, too. Tirello won the People’s Choice awardin addition to winning two out of three individual events and theoverall crown.

Contestants participated in evening gown, interview and swimsuitcompetitions. Tirello won the interview and swimsuit events.

The interview competition was particularly challenging andrewarding for Tirello.

“That is the one I am most proud of because when I walked out ofthere I was sweating bullets,” Tirello said.

Four judges sought the women’s opinions on everything frompolitics, to women’s issues, to questions about their family.

She was also proud of her victory in the swimsuitcompetition.

“I decided that If I was going to compete, I wasn’t going totraipse across the stage in a bathing suit if I didn’t feel goodabout myself,” Tirello said. “I worked out religiously.”

She worked out to increase muscle tone and to ensure herself-confidence did not wane. She’ll need all the self-confidenceshe can muster in Las Vegas.

“I would love to win but just getting there is a majoraccomplishment for me,” Tirello said.

She conceded she would be thrilled to earn a spot in the Top 10.Whatever the outcome, she hopes the national exposure at thetelevised event will give way to new opportunities.

“It definitely could open up other doors,” said Tirello,alluding to hopes of modeling or acting professionally.

She’ll have to wait for at least another year if she hopes tomodel, though. Tirello is prohibited from professional modelinguntil she relinquishes her state crown next year.

Tirello hopes to make the most of her reign and expects to makeappearances wherever she can. She believes she has something tosay.

“My motto for the pageant has been, ‘Let your life speak,'” shesaid.

Tirello believes good motives and good intentions should becompleted with good actions.

“I think it’s important to let women know it’s OK to be a motherand a wife and still feel good about yourself,” Tirello said. “It’sabout being married and still being able to feel beautiful.”