Cheryl Owens / The Meridian StarFrom left: 2018 Mississipi Miss Hospitality Anna McDaniel, Mississippi's Little Miss Hospitality Kennedy McDaniel, and Lauderdale County Miss Hospitality Victoria Bean.

Meridian’s Anna McDaniel was crowned the 2018 Mississippi Miss Hospitality on Saturday evening at the 68th annual competition at the Historic Saenger Theater in downtown Hattiesburg.

McDaniel, 20, was selected from a field of 31 contestants from all over the state. A graduate of Russell Christian Academy she is majoring in mass communications at William Carey University. She serves as the editor-in-chief of the university newspaper, The Cobbler, and is a Student Government Association representative. McDaniel also auditioned on season 15 of American Idol before competing for the title of Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality. She is the daughter of Brad and Lisa McDaniel.

As Miss Hospitality she will serve as Mississippi’s goodwill ambassador for tourism and economic growth for the next year through travel and promotion at special events and appearances. McDaniel said it is an honor, privilege and responsibility that she will not take lightly.

“I’m so excited to represent Meridian throughout the state and promote tourism, it is such an honor,” McDaniel said. “One of my main goals is to promote businesses to people who are my age, my generation to get them to come to Mississippi.”

Serving alongside McDaniel at official events and appearances will be her 10-year-old sister, Kennedy McDaniel, as Mississippi’s Little Miss Hospitality. Contestants locally selected a Little Miss to be on stage with them during competition week.

“I had a good time in Hattiesburg, I got to go to the zoo,” Kennedy McDaniel said. “I think it was good, and I was so excited that my sister won. We will get to do some things together like cutting the ribbon at the state fair.”

Also, earning a spot in the Top 5 was Lauderdale County’s Miss Hospitality Victoria Bean who was named second Alternate. Bean, 19, is a student in the dental hygiene program at Meridian Community College.

“When I was selected as the second alternate it was a feeling of gratitude and honor, and truly a blessing,” Bean said. “The best thing is to share the spotlight with Anna because we have become best friends. Through this program that has actually been the best part of being selected as Meridian and Lauderdale County’s Miss Hospitality.

“Becoming best friends – that was the biggest reward.”

McDaniel is the fourth young lady from Meridian to bring home the crown. Others included Suzanne Paul in 1952; Hailey Thomas in 2013; and Bonnie Dulaney Hodge in 2014.

Mississippi Miss Hospitality’s top five contestants were:

Anna McDaniel of Meridian, 2018 Mississippi Miss Hospitality

Tavia Moore of Stone County, first alternate

Victoria Bean of Lauderdale County, second alternate

Kinley Thornton of Greene County, third alternate.

Maddie Sullivant of Panola County, fourth alternate

The local Meridian/Lauderdale County Miss Hospitality is sponsored by Visit Meridian Tourism. For more information on the local Miss Hospitality Program call 601-481-5712.

Magnolia Girls State

Seven girls from Lauderdale County schools attended the American Legion Auxiliary Mississippi Magnolia Girls State held on the campus of The University of Southern Mississippi from June 3-8. The girls are recommended by their principals, counselors or teachers.

Edie Long

Meridian resident Edie Long, a student from the Lott Leadership Institute, recently visited with Congressman Gregg Harper in Washington, D.C.

Cheryl Owens writes the Neighbors column for The Meridian Star. Submit items to cowens@themeridianstar.com.