Perseverance has paid off for Taylor Garretson. Garretson defied the odds and became the first contestant to return and win the Mississippi Miss Hospitality pageant.
“I felt something pulling me to come back,” Garretson said.
Garretson stood in her red gown. Her hair and makeup were done. Sparkling earrings completed her look. She walked across the stage as she heard her name called for top ten of the competition. During her time competing, she connected with judges and created friendships among her fellow contestants. When the 2023 Mississippi Miss Hospitality was announced as Abney Grace Pittman, Garretson couldn’t feel happier for her.
“I didn’t feel discouraged,” Garretson said. “She was so deserving of the title.”
She took a year off. During this time, she won Miss Jones College.
While she was a Bobcat, she spent her time on campus involved in the yearbook, broadcasting team, Bobcat Brigade and was the captain of the Touch of Gold dance team.
She earned her associate’s degree and transferred to USM, but her chapter with Mississippi Miss Hospitality was not over.
“I was given the advice of ‘What’s meant for you won’t miss you,’ I just kept that in the back of my head,” Garretson said.
Filled with motivation and a pure heart, Garretson returned to the Mississippi Miss Hospitality stage. Once again, making lifelong memories with the other contestants and judges. The top of Garretson’s gown was bedazzled, the rest of the dress was black. The 2025 Mississippi Miss Hospitality was announced and the crowd cheered. She felt “extremely blessed.”
At USM she is a part of the Dixie Darlings and does social media for Southern Bone and Joint Specialists, but she said her real job is representing Mississippi as Mississippi Miss Hospitality.
“It’s not just a hobby for me, it’s part of my life now,” Taylor said. “It’s not just the crown and the sash. I do a lot of work out there. I just have to wear the crown and the sash with it.”
Garretson is serving Mississippi as the ambassador for economic development and tourism, getting the opportunity to advocate and connect with others and shine a positive light on the state.
Since winning her title in July, Taylor has been recognized at the Neshoba County Fair and at a Greene County Board of Supervisors Meeting.
Mondays through Thursdays Garretson spends her mornings in classes and her evenings practicing for Dixie Darlings. When she gets time in between, she spends it updating social media for work.
“I like to stay interactive on there, just so people can see a representative that is active, not only in the community but also on social media,” Garretson said.
Garretson hopes to motivate previous contestants to come back and give the competition another chance.
“I think it’s so important that previous contestants return,” Garretson said. “Or even if you haven’t competed. It is so worth it. It is so special, it is something that every young woman should do in their life.”
“This is not a pageant for the ‘perfect girl’,” Garretson said. “They want someone who is going to be genuine, someone who is going to be a good representative for the state of Mississippi. You can come in and just be yourself and they will love you for that.”
Garretson said she is so grateful for the connections she has made with the help of the competition.
“It’s where you find some of your best friends. I still talk to those girls every day,” Garretson said. “When you go through stressful times with people, you really connect with them, and that’s exactly what we did.”
She said they created a group chat on snapchat and talk every day. A lot of the young women are even students at USM, they often text and try to meet up on campus.
“I don’t think that we will ever stop talking just because we love each other that much,” Garretson said.
She also enjoyed her experiences with the judges. They even keep up with each other on Facebook.
“The judges were so laid back,” Garretson said. “I feel like we genuinely had a good time with them. They were so kind. I feel like I was able to connect with them.”
Garretson wants every young woman to know that they have a chance, and they should try the competition out.
“A lot of people think it’s just about the looks, and that’s not it at all, especially with Miss Hospitality,” Garretson said. “It is about being able to speak in front of a crowd, being able to speak to the governor of Mississippi or a young child, it’s about personal growth and carrying yourself with confidence and grace.”
Garretson said she is so grateful for this opportunity that Mississippi Miss Hospitality has given her.
“I know I have the crown and the sash and the sponsorships, but I really don’t feel any different. I still feel like me,” Garretson said. “I just feel extremely blessed.”