Claire McGraw will represent Meridian as one of 27 contestants competing for the title of Miss Hospitality.

The 67th Annual Mississippi Miss Hospitality Pageant will be held on July 22-23 at the Historic Saenger Theater in downtown Hattiesburg.

McCraw currently attends the University of Mississippi and is majoring in hospitality management. She is a member of Tri Delta sorority and serves as Greek Activities chair. She is a Tri Delta Pod Leader, leap frog mentor and was nominated by her sorority to participate in the Ole Miss Parade of Beauties.

As the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Pageant celebrates 67 years of hospitality and grace, 27 of Mississippi’s best and brightest young ladies will take the stage to compete for the 2016 title – a title that comes with a ticket to travel thousands of miles promoting the state’s economic development and tourism programs.

During the pageant week, contestants will explore Hattiesburg, attend social events, and participate in rehearsals and competitions, all leading up to the crowning of the 2016 Mississippi Miss Hospitality.

This year’s theme, “Destination Hospitality,” showcases that no matter where you travel, you can always come back home to find hospitality and grace in Mississippi, organizers said. The pageant originally began in 1949 under then-Governor Fielding Wright and the Mississippi Legislature. Since then, the pageant has called the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Starkville and now, Hattiesburg home. Erin Morgan, 22, of Laurel, is the current state titleholder. Morgan recently began studies in physical therapy at the University of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson. She completed her undergraduate degree at Mississippi State, and served as a Roadrunner Student Recruiter, was involved with Shackouls Honors College, and Chi Omega sorority. Throughout her reign, Erin has traveled across the state as Mississippi’s Goodwill Ambassador.

Presented by VISITHATTIESBURG™ and the Mississippi Development Authority, in conjunction with Forrest General Hospital, The University of Southern Mississippi and the city of Hattiesburg, the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Pageant offers more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes to the top finalists.

Tickets to the 2016 Mississippi Miss Hospitality Pageant may be purchased by calling the Saenger Theater Box Office at 601.584.4888, or online at HattiesburgSaenger.com.

For more information about the pageant, contact the State Pageant Office at 601.268.3220 or mshosp@hattiesburg.org. Additional Pageant information can be found online at www.MissHospitality.com.