Greene County's Taylor Garretson Crowned 2025 Mississippi Miss Hospitality
Greene County’s Taylor Garretson was crowned the 2025 Mississippi Miss Hospitality in Hattiesburg.
Greene County’s Taylor Garretson was crowned the 2025 Mississippi Miss Hospitality in Hattiesburg.
Taylor Garretson of Greene County was crowned the 2025 Mississippi Miss Hospitality Saturday evening at the Historic Saenger Theater in Hattiesburg. With 47 contestants competing for the title, Garretson was selected following the week of competition, which included one-on-one and panel interviews, speeches, on-stage interviews, and an evening gown component.
Selected as the 76th Mississippi Miss Hospitality, the winner serves as a goodwill ambassador for economic development and tourism during her reign. Garretson will participate in numerous events throughout the state that highlight Mississippi’s tourism attractions and industries.
“I am still in shock about being Mississippi Miss Hospitality! I am looking forward to an incredible year of sharing the state’s story,” said Garretson. “Coming back to compete again was everything I could have hoped for. I have grown so much because of this program and cannot wait to see where the next year takes me.”
Garretson also competed in the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Competition in 2023 as Leakesville, where she also placed top 10. She is the first returning contestant to win the title.
A senior digital journalism major and dance minor at The University of Southern Mississippi, Garretson is a Dixie Darling and high school dance team coach. She is a Mississippi Press Association award winner and interned with the Greene County Herald, where she also worked on the “Discover Greene County” magazine. Garretson plans to continue her current career as a journalist and dance teacher. Age 21, she is the daughter of Ron and Vicky Garretson.
Mississippi Miss Hospitality’s top five contestants were:
Mississippi Miss Hospitality program works with local directors, contestants, and sponsors throughout the year to present the weeklong competition in Hattiesburg. In addition to competing and rehearsing, contestants participate in service projects and city tours, along with team building and leadership activities.
“Mississippi Miss Hospitality is more than a title — it’s a year-long mission of service, storytelling, and state pride,” said Kristen Brock, program director. “Taylor will spend the next year building connections, championing Mississippi’s tourism and economic assets, and continuing the legacy of accomplished young women who’ve worn the crown before her.”
Serving alongside Garretson at official events and appearances will be Sarah Jane Hollinghead as Mississippi’s Little Miss Hospitality. Each local titleholder selects a Little Miss to mentor throughout their year-long reign and to be with them during competition week. Hollinghead is 8 years old and is the daughter of Andrew and Elisabeth Hollinghead.
Additionally, a number of other scholarships and awards were given out during competition.
Four Mississippi speech winners were awarded the Jay Slaughter Memorial Scholarship for their 90-second speeches creatively showcasing the state’s history, tourism resources, and business assets. Winners were Taylor Griffin, Attala County; Taylor Garretson, Greene County; Malee Davidson, Ridgeland; and Molly Kate Carley, Sumrall.
The 47 contestants were provided a social media challenge starting two months before competition week that highlighted their hometowns, the program’s sponsors, and more. This year’s social media scholarship winner, which is awarded by the Mississippi Tourism Association, is Allyson Beard of New Albany.
Nominated and voted on by her peers, the program awards one young woman the Lake Little Spirit of Hospitality Award for her supportive, welcoming, and kind behavior throughout competition week. The annual award is named in memory of Lake Little of Starkville, who passed away before competition in 2019. The 2025 winner of the Lake Little Spirit of Miss Hospitality award is Christina Mogollon of Meridian.
The program awards one young woman a top ad sales scholarship for generating the most community support for the State Competition. The 2025 winner is Ali Hargett, Greenwood.
The Southern Miss Image Center provides a scholarship for the Most Photogenic contestant each year. Charlsee Smith, Jones County, was selected as the 2025 recipient.
During the Farewell Brunch for contestants, their families, and local directors on Saturday morning, another annual honor was given. The 2025 Volunteer of the Year was New Albany’s co-directors Billye Jean Stroud and Chris Pugh, who exemplify the program’s values through their mentorship with local titleholders. Stroud and Pugh go above and beyond to ensure New Albany’s representative is fully prepared, well-spoken, and confident for the state competition.
For more information or to request Mississippi Miss Hospitality at an event, visit misshospitality.com or the program’s Facebook page. Keep up with Garretson’s year-long reign on the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Competition Facebook and Instagram.