It’s vacation time, but Lauren Parker has been doing a lot of studying this summer about Mississippi and her hometown.
Parker serves as Hattiesburg’s representative in this year’s Mississippi Miss Hospitality Pageant taking place this week just across the river in Hattiesburg.
The state’s Miss Hospitality serves as a goodwill ambassador across the state and nation. At home, she touts the same for her hometown. Emma Grace McGrew of Booneville is the reigning title holder.
The Mississippi State University student is proud to represent the home the Hub City and welcome contestants to her very own backyard.
“I can physically show these girls what we have to offer,” Parker said. “And that’s so nice. I’m excited to share my wonderful home with them.”
In preparation for the pageant, Parker said she’s been doing a lot of research, as well as starting her days off listening to Mississippi Public Broadcast. “I’m starting my day with Karen Brown (who hosts Mississippi Edition and Morning Edition), reading the newspaper, doing a lot of writing and working on my speech. “I’ve also spent time going out and enjoying my community and I’ll enjoy showing everyone what Hattiesburg has to offer – the great food and so many things to do.”
For Parker, it’s exciting to once again take the Saenger Theater stage. “I grew up and performed on this stage before,” she said.
She also wants to introduce the contestants to the zoo, and USM is definitely in there. “I’ve tried to hit the major points, but with 20 seconds, you can’t tell people how really wonderful Hattiesburg is.”
Even though she’s “at home,” Parker is enjoying meeting new people and making new friends. “After Sunday (when contestants checked into the residence hall on the USM campus), I was so tired, but me and my roommate, Kinley Thornton of Greene County, stayed up late talking.”
During the week, the 31 contestants from across the state have enjoyed a tailgate party in the president’s suite at The Rock on the USM campus, visited Main Street Books where they had the opportunity to paint pottery pieces, volunteered at Edwards Street Mission, and visited Forrest General Hospital where they visited with young patients. They’ve also had one-on-one time with each of the pageant judges.
An autograph party is set for 12:30-2 p.m. Friday, July 20, at the Hattiesburg Zoo.
Contestants have also spent a lot of time in rehearsals preparing for Friday night preliminaries and Saturday night’s naming of the Top 10 on the journey to crowning a new Miss Hospitality. The show gets underway at 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday nights at the Saenger Theater.
This is the Hub City’s 21st year to host the state pageant, which brings the best and brightest young women to town. The winner will serve as full year as the state official ambassador of economic development and tourism.
For the first time, the competition will include a Little Miss Hospitality component. Each local representative has selected a young girl between the ages of 6 and 10 from her hometown to mentor throughout her reign. Little Misses will appear on state during competition and be invited to official events. Miss Hattiesburg’s Little Miss is Norah Abigail Boyte.
Presented by VisitHattiesburg and the Mississippi Development Authority, in conjunction with the University of Southern Mississippi, the City of Hattiesburg, Hattiesburg Saenger Theater and Forrest General Hospital, the state pageant annually awards more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes to the top finalists.
Tickets to the competition are available online at HattiesburgSaenger.com or by calling the Saenger Box Office at 601-584-4888. Tickets can also be purchased at the Saenger in advance or at the door.
