Evans crowned 2025 JDC Miss Hospitality
Published 5:12 pm Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight—Gary Bass, runner-up Tyla Johnson, 2025 Miss Hospitality Mariah Evans, Angie Ladner.
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight—Mariah Evans with her parents, Dionna and Michael Evans.
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight—Gary Bass places the sash on Mariah Evans before she is crowned.
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight—Angie Ladner crowns Mariah Evans 2025 Miss Hospitality.
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight—Tyla Johnson is presented flowers as runner-up.
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight—Miss Hospitality Mariah Evans (right) and runner-up Tyla Johnson.
The Jefferson Davis County Economic Development District is pleased to announce the selection of Mariah Evans of Prentiss as the 2025 Jefferson Davis County Miss Hospitality.
Evans is the daughter of Michael and Dionna Evans and is a senior at Jefferson Davis County High School.
She is a member of the BETA Club, JDC Mayors’ Youth Council and is a Superintendent Scholar with dual enrollment at PRCC and Alcorn State University. She has volunteered at the Prentiss Public Library and represents Jefferson Davis County High School on the State of Mississippi Student Advisory Board.
She has worked extensively on donation drives for the Ronald McDonald House in Jackson and for foster children in Jefferson Davis and Lawrence Counties.
Evans plans attend the University of Mississippi in the fall to pursue a career in the field of law and journalism. “My desire is to make a difference in the lives of others and help others by keeping them informed and being and advocate for the voiceless,” said Evans. She enjoys fitness, reading and creative arts.
A coronation and reception will be held for Evans at a later date.
Tyla Johnson of Carson was the runner-up. Each girl was presented with a bouquet of red roses donated by Je’Loru’s Florist of Prentiss.
The mission of the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Competition is to identify one young woman between the ages of 18 and 24 to serve as the state’s goodwill ambassador for its economic development and tourism industries.
Evans will compete in the statewide competition in Hattiesburg in July. Angie Ladner will accompany Evans as the Director of the Jefferson Davis County Miss Hospitality program
Jefferson Davis County has produced two state winners already: 1958’s Elaine Lipsey from Prentiss and 1977’s Laura Parish from Carson.
