Growing up I wasn’t very proud of be from Mississippi. So I hid my southern accent as much as I could, immersed myself in foreign cultures, and moved away several times. I was convinced that the prosperity I desired could only be had somewhere else, somewhere other than in Mississippi. But then something happened. I fell in love with a Mississippi man. He helped me to see the good in Mississippi.
This is the pride that started a movement. First I decided to compete in the Mrs. Mississippi America Pageant in 2016. After the pageant, I ran with my Mrs. Congeniality title. My team and I created a fun “My Coast” music video showcasing South Mississippi as a welcoming region. Then we began the original MS Congeniality webisodes featuring interesting Mississippians. After that, I represented the state as the fabulous “Miss ‘Issippi” for Mississippi’s Bicentennial Celebration in 2017. In 2018, I published an article about Mississippi‘s surprisingly high quality of life ranking in the U.S. News & World Report. And now I’m the current Mrs Mississippi American 2020!
Much has changed since my perspective shift, but my mission is still relatively the same. There’s so much GOOD in the world, and my mission is to help you see it! Thank YOU, Mississippi, for helping me to see it in YOU first!
Mrs. Mississippi America Pageant 2016
I didn’t know that being in a pageant was something I could or even should do, nor did I know that it was something I would do. But there I was, at the age of 34, competing in my first beauty pageant ever. And it changed my life!
MS Congeniality Web Series
2016 – 2018
Mississippi is FULL of interesting people, and we wanted to showcase it in a new web series called MS Congeniality. For three years, My team and I traveled the magnolia state interviewing people and featuring events. This series ended with the beginning of the official MS Congeniality TV show, but the Youtube web series is how it all got started.
“My Coast” Music Video 2016
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is one of the most friendly, relaxed, and fun areas in the country. We are known for our white sand beach — the longest man-made beach in the world in fact — but that is not all we have. We are old south charm with a modern twist.
I’m excited to showcase our warmth and hospitality with our music video – “My Coast.” It’s a parody of Flo Rida’s “My House.” My team at Jaimee Designs Web Studio put it together – from conception to launch – in 72 hours. Thanks to everyone who helped.
Miss ‘Issippi 2017
Party of the Century Hostess
In 2017 the state of Mississippi celebrated its 200th birthday. And like any good party, the celebration needed a great hostess. The Party Committee asked me to do it. The character “Miss ‘Issippi” came about in 1917 when the original centennial was being planned. We filmed two shows during the party.
Featured on US News & World Report in 2018
My article titled “New Quality of Life Ranking Challenges Mississippi Stereotypes” was featured on the US News & World Report in March 2018. This was after the latest BEST STATES RANKING showed Mississippi to have the 6th best quality of life in the country! Who’d a thunk it?
