Petal’s Annaleigh Buckley finished as the first alternate to this year’s state winner, Kasey Pearson of Amory, who was crowned the 2019 Mississippi Miss Hospitality Saturday evening at the historic Saenger Theater in downtown Hattiesburg.
Buckley was one of 43 contestants competing for the title. Contestants spent a week in the competition, which included one-on-one and panel interviews, speeches, on-stage interviews, and an evening gown component.
Other alternates include Natalie Breland, Stone County, second alternate;
Asia Montgomery, Columbia, third alternate;
Georgia Akers, Pontotoc County, fourth alternate.
The Mississippi Miss Hospitality program works with local directors, contestants, and sponsors throughout the year to present the weeklong competition in Hattiesburg. In addition to competing and rehearsing, contestants participate in service projects and city tours, along with team building and leadership activities.
Prior to pageant week, Buckley, her family, and her Little Miss Hospitality toured the state to learn more about tourism and economic development.
Buckley will be a junior this fall at The University of Mississippi pursuing a degree in exercise science. She plans on going to physical therapy school and hopes to one day be a physical therapist at Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson.
She is the daughter of Steve and Kristi Buckley.
Buckley chose Anne Makay Fairley, her cousin who is more like a little sister, as her Little Miss Hospitality.
“There’s no one else I would want on this journey with me,” she said of the 10-year-old, who is the daughter of Jay and Kristie Fairley.
