Jefferson Davis County Miss Hospitality heads to state competition
Published 3:04 pm Wednesday, July 10, 2024
A send-off party was held for JDC Miss Hospitality Ellen Porter and JDC Little Miss Hospitality Joshlynn Sylvas July 5 at Bassfield City Hall. Pictured from left are JDC Economic Development DIrector Gary Bass, Sylvas, Porter, and Bassfield Mayor and local director Angie Ladner.
Porter with the current Mississippi Miss Hospitality Abney Grace Pittman.
JDC Miss Hospitality Ellen Porter points out Jeff Posey's name on the NFL wall on the USM campus. Posey played for Bassfield and the Buffalo Bills.
Jefferson Davis County Miss Hospitality Ellen Porter is now in Hattiesburg for the week-long competition.
A send-off party was held for Porter and Jefferson Davis County Little Miss Hospitality Joshlynn Silvas July 5 at Bassfield City Hall.
“First I want to give thanks and honor to God for giving us such a great opportunity,” said Porter. Porter also thanked her family, friends and community for the support.
Porter checked in for the festivities on Sunday and was welcomed by the City of Hattiesburg and the University of Southern Mississippi officials. Monday, they toured Hattiesburg and ended with a tailgate party at USM.
Sylvas will join Porter for the competition on Friday and Saturday.
“It is great to have her representing the county as our goodwill ambassador for tourism and economic development,” said JDC Economic Development Director Gary Bass.
“Her presence on that stage brings a positive light to our county. I hope her role serves to enlighten and inspire other girls that want or need scholarship money for college to apply for JDC Miss Hospitality 2025,” he said.
This year, Mississippi Miss Hospitality is commemorating 75 years of serving the state’s economic development and tourism industries through a Diamond Jubilee celebration.
On Wednesday, Porter will have her one-on-one interview, with her panel interview being Thursday. Friday will be her 90 second speech, an autograph party at Turtle Creek Mall and the preliminary on-stage competition. Top 3 Mississippi Speech, the Jay Slaughter Memorial Scholarship and Top Ad Sales will be announced during Friday’s preliminary competition.
The final on-stage competition will be Saturday night at the Saenger Theater in Hattiesburg at 8 p.m. Top 10, Top 5, Spirit of Miss Hospitality, Social Media Scholarship and Most Photogenic will be announced along with the crowning of the 2024 Miss Hospitality.
