Our 2024 Tate County Miss Hospitality, Chloe Murphy, along with forty-one other young women checked into their dorm at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg on July 7, for their week vying for this year’s title of Mississippi Miss Hospitality.
The competition is a program of Visit Hattiesburg and is presented by the Mississippi Development Authority, University of Southern Mississippi, City of Hattiesburg, Hattiesburg Saenger Theater and Forrest General Hospital. Their patronage helps sponsor this state scholarship program.
Contestants not only represented and promoted their county or local hometown through the week, but learned so much about other areas of the state from fellow contestants. They, also, participated in community service projects by giving back to the HUB city and were even treated like royalty at times! Knowing that only one young lady would be crowned at the end of the week as Mississippi Miss Hospitality to serve as the official ambassador for tourism and economic development for this upcoming year didn’t seem to matter as they stayed busy serving the city and each other while building lifelong friendships.
“We are delighted to be hosting these talented women, their Little Misses and supporters in Hattiesburg for this year’s 75th Diamond Jubilee competition. Their love of community and state is tremendously inspiring and we look forward to seeing their continued growth and leadership development for years to come” said Marlo Dorsey, Mississippi Miss Hospitality Executive Director in a previous news article.
After move-in on Sunday at USM, contestants headed to the Historic Saenger Theatre with families and/or program directors for an orientation meeting to learn more about the week’s activities. After quick goodbyes, their first rehearsal was underway in preparation to hit the stage Friday night for preliminary competition and then, finals on Saturday night. Their week not only involved long rehearsals, but meeting sponsors and supporters, touring special sights in Hattiesburg and "Giving Back" to the community. Contestants packed rice & beans for soup kitchens and food pantries, visited local summer kids camp where they assisted campers tie-dyeing shirts and paint a new city mural with them called “Kindness.”
They finished up at Forrest General Hospital decorating and packing goody bags for cancer center patients. Millie Swan, Vice President of Forrest Health and Mississippi Miss Hospitality Board Member, spoke with them about the importance of seeking opportunities to give back through community service in their own county or hometowns, too.
In between all this, each contestant had a one-on-one interview with the judges along with a longer panel interview and, also, had to give a 2-minute speech presentation promoting Mississippi to the judges, too!
Various local businesses like Strick’s BBQ, Patio 44, Mercury Pizza Co., and many more provided snacks, lunch or dinner for contestants through the week which were enjoyed by all. Theywere even treated to dinner at special spots like The University of Southern Mississippi’s M.M. Roberts Stadium with a “Tailgate Party” in the President’s Suite, plus a tour of “The ROCK” and at The Bottling Company Venue Hall with a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s Party” where they were dressed like Audrey Hepburn in all black and pearls to dance the night away!
On Friday Chloe was joined by her Little Miss, Berkley Parrish, for the public Autograph Party at Hattiesburg’s Turtle Creek Mall and later for Stage Rehearsal and Friday Night PreliminariesThe Little Misses were treated to a Private Tea Party on Saturday before heading back to the Saenger Theatre for rehearsal and Saturday’s Finals.
Mississippi Miss Hospitality added the Little Miss element in 2018 as a mentorship program for them to support and attend events with local titleholders and receive mentoring by their “big sister” Miss Hospitality. Each young lady gets to be on stage during state competition, recognized during the show’s livestream and in the program book.
Berkley wanted to share, “I made so many friends with girls from all over the state, especially Tupelo’s Little Miss, Shelby Riddle! My favorite part was getting to represent my county on stage and alongside my sweet “big” Miss Hospitality, Chloe. I would like to thank those who donated to help give me this opportunity of a life time to represent Tate County as Little Miss Hospitality.”
Prior to competition week, contestants began participating in a “Social Media Challenge” on June 1, to showcase their perspective county or hometown along with their journey to state through enlightening and entertaining posts. This challenge continued up to the Friday of state competition week with the Social Media Scholarship provided by Mississippi Tourism Association, being awarded to Simmons Anna Brooks of Choctaw County at the end of Friday Preliminaries.
Take a look on Instagram or Facebook by using the #MSHosp2024 to learn more about this year’s contestants and Mississippi, too. And, for Chloe’s personal posts on Instagram simply go to tatecountymisshospitality or the Facebook page Tate County Miss Hospitality Program.
In short, Chloe said about state competition, “First, I want to thank everyone who made it possible for me to attend state competition. Coming into the week I had no clue what to expect and little did I know that I would leave with 42 new lifelong friends. Competition was such a busy week, but at the same time so rewarding and life changing as I left Saturday night a completely different person than I came in the previous Sunday. The week allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and be the best version of me. I grew so much as a person, friend and a leader. The overflowing amount of love and support that I received from everyone was unbelievable. I am so grateful to say that I was able to represent Tate County because I am very proud of my hometown. There is truly no place like home!”
Although our local titleholder, Chloe, didn't win the state title, she did a remarkable job representing Tate County at this year’s state competition and everyone should be very proud of her!
The Tate County Miss Hospitality Program will be reaching out for opportunities to share with the county more about the program and Chloe’s experience, too. So, contact via Facebook if Chloe could attend a school assembly or civic or social organization’s meeting ASAP.
In a previous news release during state competition week in Hattiesburg Mississippi Miss Hospitality Program Director, Kristen Brock, shared “Showcasing the importance of tourism and economic development is key to our state’s future, and we look forward to a week of displaying the achievements and community service of these emerging leaders each year. Retaining the incredible talent harnessed by our contestants is a priority, so we’re especially proud to offer the largest in-state scholarship opportunities in program history.”
There was more than $100,000 in scholarship money up for grabs including a $25,000 cash award for the overall winner this year! Various Scholarships were awarded to those who make the Top 10 along with the Highest Ad Sales, Most Photogenic, Community Service, Top 3 Mississippi Speeches (but judges chose 4 this year) and Laike Little Spirit of Hospitality which is voted on by her peers. Earning the title of 2024 Mississippi Miss Hospitality was Chloe Grace Weeks of Winston County.
In honor of Mississippi Miss Hospitality’s 75th anniversary, the program hosted a Diamond Jubilee Celebration! Former local and state titleholders were invited to join the events to meet current contestants, connect with former contestants and celebrate their role as a Miss Hospitality. They were invited to attend a special reunion gathering at The Walnut Room to enjoy live music, food and fellowship. Former titleholders were, also, presented on stage by decades during Saturday Night’s Finals.
Representing Tate County was Tina Burcham Smith, 1977 Senatobia Miss Hospitality and Tate County Program Director.
“I am delighted to be a part of bringing the Miss Hospitality Program back to our area and what an honor it was to be in attendance for this 75th anniversary celebration at this year’s state competition, too! I want to personally thank our county for the support you've shown to our local program since we brought it back last year. We love you Tate County!” said Tina Burcham Smith.
Keep in mind the yearly Tate County Miss Hospitality Titleholder and Hospitality Court members accept the positions knowing they will be giving their time to serve during their reign without any promise of compensation simply because they have a love for Tate County!
Honestly, the titleholder position is more like a small part-time job. Our ultimate goal since reviving the program has been to be able to make it one of our County's local college scholarship programs for each year’s court.
So, in order to do that, as well as grow and meet our yearly budget, we need to reach out to our community for more support. Since our program's account is handled through Senatobia Main Street/Tate County EDF's office, all contributions go through there and will be tax deductible under the 501c3 status of Senatobia Main Street.
If you, your business or social/civic organization are willing to contribute or become a yearly sponsor, please, contact us via "Tate County Miss Hospitality Program"on Facebook or the SMS/TC-EDF office at 662-562-8715 to receive more info about donating. Any amount will be very much appreciated by the Tate County Miss Hospitality Program.
