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Starkville’s Tori Ferguson to serve as state good will ambassador for the next year |
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Monday, 04 August 2008 |
 Photos by Erin Parker/The Hatties Starkville’s Miss Hospitality Tori Ferguson, 19, is crowned as Mississippi Miss Hospitality in the finale of the state pageant in Hattiesburg Saturday night. By BRIAN HAWKINS
Starkville Daily News
For the first time since 1969, a young lady from Starkville has won the title of Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality.
That’s just what 19-year-old Mississippi State sophomore Tori Ferguson did Saturday night at the Saenger Theater in Hattiesburg, beating out 37 other contestants for the right to serve as the state’s good will ambassador for one year, promoting tourism and economic development.
“I’m so excited to promote tourism and be a goodwill ambassador for the state,” said Ferguson in a statement released by the pageant organization Saturday. “I can’t wait to meet new people and share the hospitality of our state.”
Ferguson was crowned Starkville’s Miss Hospitality in an April 5 pageant with nine contestants at the Starkville Community Theatre’s Playhouse on Main. The local Miss Hospitality pageant is coordinated through the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.
Ferguson, the daughter of Bill and Vicki Burnett of Starkville and the late Dr. J. Scott Ferguson, is studying to pursue a career in nutrition and physical therapy. Her hobbies include acting and volunteering with her church’s vacation bible school.
Ferguson is the third state Mississippi Hospitality winner from Starkville in the pageant’s 59-year history. The last state Miss Hospitality from Starkville was Sharon Applegate in 1969.
Held in Hattiesburg for the 11th year, the state Miss Hospitality Pageant saw multiple days of competition, with the original field of 38 women narrowed to 10 shortly after the start of the final night’s proceedings Saturday.
After two rounds of interview questions, the field of contestants was trimmed to five, and a short time later, the outgoing Miss Hospitality, Rebekah Staples of Laurel, crowned Ferguson as her successor.
“God answers prayers,” said Ferguson to the Hattiesburg American newspaper shortly after winning the pageant. “He gave me the strength to get through. There were so many nerves. I was the last one of the top five to be called, and you’re just waiting and wondering. Then, to hear your name, it’s just such a rush.”
The first alternate was Gentry Stevens of Wayne County. Second alternate was Hailey Ratcliff of Lincoln County. Third alternate was Morgan Hurt of George County. Fourth alternate was Tara Tutor of Pontotoc. Winning the award for Most Photogenic was Tara Tutor of Pontotoc. The award for Spirit of Miss Hospitality, which is voted on by the contestants, was Whitnie Hill of Prentiss County.
All 38 contestants competed for over $100,000 in scholarships and prizes. The theme for this year’s pageant was Broadway and featured several production numbers from musicals, including “The Phantom of the Opera,” Dreamgirls” and “Hairspray.” During the week, the contestants took part in rehearsals, tours, interviews and special events.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 August 2008 )
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