Mississippi Miss Hospitality announces record scholarships for 2026 competition

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – The Mississippi Miss Hospitality Program announced Saturday that contestants competing for the title in 2026 will be eligible for the organization’s largest scholarship offerings in its 77-year history.

Contestants will be eligible for more than $105,000 in scholarships and prizes, including $32,500 in direct cash scholarships.

The winner of the competition will receive a $10,000 cash scholarship, tuition scholarships, travel opportunities and a total prize package valued at $27,000. The first alternate will receive a cash scholarship of $6,000, the second will receive $3,500, the third will receive $2,500 and the fourth will receive $2,000.

During Saturday’s announcement, the Advisory Board of the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Program also revealed that the winning cash scholarship will be named for Bonnie Warren.

Warren has spent decades supporting tourism, hospitality and economic development efforts across Mississippi. She also helped move the Miss Hospitality Program from Starkville to Hattiesburg in 1998 and has remained one of its strongest advocates.

The theme for this year’s Miss Hospitality will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

The competition will take place July 17-18 in Hattiesburg. Tickets will go on sale in two weeks.

The Miss Hospitality Program was founded in 1949.

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