By Staff
Special to The Star
August 4, 2001
HATTIESBURG Jalin Wood of Wayne County has been crowned Mississippi Miss Hospitality 2001.
Wood, a resident of Waynesboro, competed against 33 other contestants from across the state. She will spend the next year traveling throughout the state and country promoting Mississippi's tourism, industry and economic development. She will also serve as its goodwill ambassador for one year, showing hospitality to everyone she meets.
Wood, 20, is a junior chemistry major at Mississippi College. Her activities while at MC include Laguna social tribe, Freshman Senator, Sophomore Homecoming maid, MC cheerleader, Alpha Lambda Delta and treasurer of the American Chemical Society. Upon graduation from MC, she plans to become a family practice physician and practice in a rural area of Mississippi.
Scarlett Monsour, Meridian/Lauderdale County Miss Hospitality, was named Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Leslie Herndon, Tupelo/Lee County Miss Hospitality, was chosen as Miss Photogenic.
The contestants spent the pageant week in Pulley Hall on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. The week was filled with fun activities, such as a City Tour, a Welcome Party at the home of Dr. Horace Fleming, an Island Celebration at the Lake Terrace Convention Center, and a Dessert Reception at the home of Bill and Stancy Gullung. Each contestants was judged in the areas of Interview, Mississippi Speech Presentation, Little Black Dress/Commercial, and Evening Gown.
The pageant is presented by the Hattiesburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, the University of Southern Mississippi and the city of Hattiesburg.
For more information about the Mississippi Miss Hospitality pageant, contact Traci Holmes at (800) 638-6877.