Retired Southeast Lauderdale basketball coach Leon Ross speaks with Miss Mississippi USA Haley Sowers at Meridian Mutual Federal Credit Union Friday.

    Miss Mississippi USA Haley Sowers returned to her hometown Friday, stopping at Meridian Mutual Federal Credit Union for a brief visit with fans and supporters.

    “Having the meet and greet was a great opportunity for me to thank my community for all the support they have given me,” said Sowers, who, while representing Lauderdale County, was crowned Miss Mississippi USA 2016 in October.

    “It is an honor to represent the state of Mississippi and Lauderdale County as well.”

    Sowers will represent the state at the Miss USA 2016 Pageant later this year.

    During her yearlong reign, Sowers said she plans to continue working in the community and bring awareness to issues that are important to her.

    “This year, I want it to be about giving back to the community and making Mississippi a better place, by further promoting my platforms,” she said. “That’s what this title is about. It’s not about trying to use the title to better yourself, but to better your state.”

    Sowers said she has two platforms that are close to her heart.

    “I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease about a year ago, which is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines,” she said. “I have been working with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, and we are trying to work out a way to bring awareness to Mississippi, because there isn’t that awareness factor here.

    “This is a disease that you can’t let control you,” she said. “You have to figure out a way to move on from it. I made a goal to no longer take medication, and I am at that point where I am maintaining a certain diet without taking medications. For me, that is a huge accomplishment.”

    Sowers has also been working with the Parents Circle Support Group of Meridian.

    “This support group is for family members of children who are developmentally delayed and have disabilities,” she said. “They create sports events, dances and other activities for those children.”

    Sowers, who graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in broadcasting and public communications, is also a Tennessee Titans cheerleader.

    “Right now, I am focusing on the Miss USA Pageant; that is my main focus,” she said. “I believe no matter what my destiny is, it will work out just as it is supposed to.”