Hattiesburg, MS (Jan. 13, 2025) – The Mississippi Miss Hospitality Competition is now accepting at-largecontestant applications. Mississippi residents from communities without an established local program are encouraged to apply for the 2025 competition.
Entering its 76th year, Mississippi Miss Hospitality continues to support economic development and tourism in 2025. Annually, the competition brings together the state’s best and brightest young women for a week of leadership development as they ultimately compete for the state title and more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes.
The young woman crowned in 2025 will serve as Mississippi’s Official Goodwill Ambassador for economic development and tourism, traveling to promote the state through ribbon cuttings, special tourism events, organized appearances, and speaking engagements.
“This is the sixth year the at-large opportunity has been available, and it has proven to be an excellent opportunity for those who were not previously qualified to participate,” Marlo Dorsey, Mississippi Miss Hospitality executive director, said. “The at-large program has allowed more women to compete for scholarships, champion their hometowns, and gain invaluable experience and relationships.”
Since the addition, 11 at-large contestants have competed in Miss Hospitality. These participants have seen tremendous success at state competition. At-largecontestants have competitively placed in the program, with at-large contestant Hannah Grace Crain winning the state title in 2022 and traveling across the country sharing Mississippi’s story.
Eligible applicants must be women aged 18 to 24, residents of Mississippi, high school graduates, and have a 2.5 or higher scholastic average. Additionally, contestants must represent their hometowns, not the community where they attend college.
The State Office will accept at-large applications through Friday, March 3. The 2025 competition guide, contestant requirements, and current application can be found at MissHospitality.com. An independent panel will select contestants from the at-large candidate pool based on established scoring criterion.
This year’s Mississippi Miss Hospitality competition will be held at the historic Saenger Theater in downtown Hattiesburg on July 18 and 19. Ticket sales will be announced on the program’s social media pages and website in May 2025.
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The Mississippi Miss Hospitality tradition began in 1949 under Gov. Fielding Wright and the Mississippi Legislature. Presented by the Hattiesburg Tourism Commission (VisitHATTIESBURG), City of Hattiesburg, The University of Southern Mississippi, Forrest General Hospital, and Hattiesburg Saenger Theater, the Mississippi Miss Hospitality competition has called Hattiesburg home for more than 25 years.