Ann Claire Reynolds was crowned Mississippi Miss Hospitality 2011 while representing Petal in the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Program at the Saenger Theater in downtown Hattiesburg. Twenty-eight of Mississippi’s best and brightest young women competed in the Pageant for more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes.
Ann Claire, 21, is a junior at the University of Southern Mississippi and is pursuing degrees in both elementary education and special education. She is on the executive board of the Chi-Omega Epsilon Delta sorority chapter. A talented musician, Ann Claire has played piano for more than 15 years.
She has worked as a counselor at Abbie Rogers Civitan Camp for seven years and is a senior counselor for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp.
Ann Claire is the 62nd Mississippi Miss Hospitality, a tradition that began in 1949. She will travel more than 30,000 miles during her reign, promoting Mississippi's tourism and economic development and serving as the state's goodwill ambassador, sharing the spirit of the hospitality state with everyone she meets.
2011 MISSISSIPPI
MISS HOSPITALITY CROWNED
Hattiesburg – Ann Claire Reynolds from Petal was crowned 2011 Mississippi Miss Hospitality on Saturday, July 30th, after a magical night at the Hattiesburg Saenger Theater.
Reynolds impressed the judges throughout the week through a process of interviews and speeches, as well as during the on-stage competition which included the Little Black Dress/Commercial Competition and the Evening Gown Competition.
Reynolds is a graduate of Petal High School and currently studies Elementary Education and Special Education at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is active in Chi Omega sorority where she has served as Philanthropy Chair and will serve as an Executive Council member. She is also involved in the Eagle Connection student recruitment organization and Lambda Sigma Honor Society.
"Ann Claire will be a wonderful representative for our state in the next year," said Susan Slaughter, President of the Miss Hospitality Board of Directors. "She has a very exciting year ahead of her as she promotes Mississippi's Economic Development and Tourism industries. She has proven herself to be an outstanding young lady and we are confident that she will represent our state with beauty and grace."
Rounding out the Top Five were: Mary Frances Stephens of Magee, First Alternate; Stevie Farrar of Wayne County, Second Alternate; Elizabeth Bailey of Neshoba County, Third Alternate; and Megan McBeth of Brandon, Fourth Alternate.
Lauren Ann McLaughlin of Pontotoc County received the Miss Photogenic Award, and Alex Parker of Picayune was selected as the Spirit of Miss Hospitality winner, as voted on by the other contestants.
As Mississippi Miss Hospitality 2011, Reynolds will travel more than 30,000 miles promoting Mississippi's tourism and economic development. She will also serve as its goodwill ambassador for one year, showing hospitality to everyone she meets.
The Mississippi Miss Hospitality is a program of VISITHATTIESBURG™, and is presented by VISITHATTIESBURG™, The University of Southern Mississippi and the City of Hattiesburg. For more information about the Pageant, contact the State Pageant Office at 601.268.3220 or
mshosp@hattiesburg.org.
