2015 Miss Hospitality Pageant
This weekend, 29 women from throughout the state will be competing for the coveted title of Miss Hospitality.
This is the pageants 66th year and 100 thousand dollars of scholarship money and prizes are awarded to top finalists.
News 25’s Bryan Kennedy traveled to Hattiesburg and managed to catch up with the two young ladies who will be representing the Coast.
Kendall Ritten of Diamondhead and Emily Gruzinskas of Bay St. Louis will be spending the week trying to separate themselves from the crowd and represent our Coast as best they can.
“It’s such an honor, especially since we haven’t had anyone represent the Coast in years,” said Kendall Ritten, Diamondhead Miss Hospitality contestant, “and I’m also the first person from the city of Diamondhead to ever be represented since we are the newest city in the state. It’s very nerve-wracking, but it’s also very exciting.”
Kendall is a junior at Ole Miss and Emily is a junior at USM in Hattiesburg, but both are equally thrilled about the pageant.
“I am so excited to have this opportunity to represent the Coast, especially Bay St. Louis,” said Emily Gruzinskas, Bay St. Louis Miss Hospitality contestant, “We have so many things to offer as far as tourism and economics goes. People that know me know how much I love Bay St. Louis. It is my home and it’s my heart and I have so many people back there rooting and praying for me.”
A picture perfect moment as contestants from across the state gathered at Hattiesburg’s historic Saenger Theater for the launch of this year’s pageant. Today, contestants showed off their moves, but they say this year’s pageant won’t be all song and dance. “We’re going to have interviews later this week and we’re going to be having the actual pageant. So, we’re just trying to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for all that,” said Emily.
There’s no talent competition in this year’s pageant but contestants say each girl’s true talent will still be on display. “I think the only talent we need to be presenting is just our own self-esteem and our own poise and confidence,” said Emily.
While both contestants hope to take home the Miss Hospitality crown, they have plans to get much more from the week’s festivities. Kendall said, “I think just getting to meet everyone and meet a lot of new friends and have these people forever that I can lean back on.”
Along with scholarship money, the winner of the pageant will travel across the nation promoting the state’s economic and tourism programs.
This is the pageants 66th year and 100 thousand dollars of scholarship money and prizes are awarded to top finalists.
News 25’s Bryan Kennedy traveled to Hattiesburg and managed to catch up with the two young ladies who will be representing the Coast.
Kendall Ritten of Diamondhead and Emily Gruzinskas of Bay St. Louis will be spending the week trying to separate themselves from the crowd and represent our Coast as best they can.
“It’s such an honor, especially since we haven’t had anyone represent the Coast in years,” said Kendall Ritten, Diamondhead Miss Hospitality contestant, “and I’m also the first person from the city of Diamondhead to ever be represented since we are the newest city in the state. It’s very nerve-wracking, but it’s also very exciting.”
Kendall is a junior at Ole Miss and Emily is a junior at USM in Hattiesburg, but both are equally thrilled about the pageant.
“I am so excited to have this opportunity to represent the Coast, especially Bay St. Louis,” said Emily Gruzinskas, Bay St. Louis Miss Hospitality contestant, “We have so many things to offer as far as tourism and economics goes. People that know me know how much I love Bay St. Louis. It is my home and it’s my heart and I have so many people back there rooting and praying for me.”
A picture perfect moment as contestants from across the state gathered at Hattiesburg’s historic Saenger Theater for the launch of this year’s pageant. Today, contestants showed off their moves, but they say this year’s pageant won’t be all song and dance. “We’re going to have interviews later this week and we’re going to be having the actual pageant. So, we’re just trying to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for all that,” said Emily.
There’s no talent competition in this year’s pageant but contestants say each girl’s true talent will still be on display. “I think the only talent we need to be presenting is just our own self-esteem and our own poise and confidence,” said Emily.
While both contestants hope to take home the Miss Hospitality crown, they have plans to get much more from the week’s festivities. Kendall said, “I think just getting to meet everyone and meet a lot of new friends and have these people forever that I can lean back on.”
Along with scholarship money, the winner of the pageant will travel across the nation promoting the state’s economic and tourism programs.
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