29 contestants warmed up, ready for Miss Hospitality pageant

TERRY L. JONES American Staff Writer tjones@hattiesburgamerican.com July 27, 2010

·         The 29 contestants of the 2010 Mississippi Miss Hospitality pageant got their first taste of what pageant week will be like Monday when the bright lights of the Saenger Theater bore down on their first round of rehearsals and a full day of appearances and social events around the Hub City.

"It's an opportunity for the girls to get to know Hattiesburg, so there's no judging involved," said Susan Slaughter, chairwoman of the Miss Hospitality Board of Directors.

The contestants were presented to local media outlets at a press conference at the Saenger Theater before they took the stage for morning rehearsals.

Around noon, they were treated to lunch at Chick-Fil-A where they signed autographs and took photos with the fast-food chain's signature mascot.

Monday night they were invited into the home of University of Southern Mississippi President Martha Saunders for a welcoming party.

On Sunday, the contestants moved into Southern Miss' McCarty Hall, where they'll be staying this week.

"We were so tired yesterday," said Jordan White, Hattiesburg's Miss Hospitality. "I think we were just overwhelmed. But now it's really starting to sink in; the excitement of having the press conference today has helped us kind of see that this has all really started."

Jordan, 21, said she hopes to take in every moment this week and cherish it. And in between all that cram in some last-minute studying in preparation for the final competition this weekend.

"I'm studying a lot about Mississippi, and paying attention to the news," she said. "I'm trying to form an opinion about everything that's going on."

Today, the contestants will tour the Hub City, which will highlight stops at the Visitor's Center, Hattiesburg Zoo and Forrest General Hospital.

Later tonight, they will attend an "island celebration" themed party at the Lake Terrace Convention Center.

"By the end of the week, the 29 contestants will bring in all of their families and friends who will shop, stay in our hotels and eat downtown," Slaughter said. "Which is good for our own economic development and gives people a chance to see Hattiesburg if they haven't before."

This year's competition is a continuance of family tradition for Ellisville Miss Hospitality Ellyn Burton. The 21-year-old is walking the same path her mother and older sister did as competitors for the state's Miss Hospitality crown.

"I have a great support system and they really help me out," Burton said. "It's easy to get bogged down in the competition ... but it's all about having fun and celebrating the honor of being a city's Miss Hospitality."

The contestants are competing for more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes that will go along with the title.

Mississippi Miss Hospitality 2010 will travel across the country promoting the state's tourism, industry and economic development.

This year marks the 13th year Hattiesburg is hosting the event.

"They all seem bright and eager to be here," Slaughter said. "And we're glad to host them."

The two nights of competition are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Saenger Theater.