Columbian places 4th in state
July 27, 2019, will always be a day to remember for Asia Montgomery.
Columbia’s Miss Hospitality was named the third alternate in the Mississippi Miss Hospitality contest held in Hattiesburg – and on her 21st birthday, too. She received a $2,000 scholarship.
“I was excited and very proud,” Montgomery said of her experience.
The daughter of the Rev. Terry Montgomery and Nawasa Montgomery, she is a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi majoring in public relations and plans to pursue a master’s degree in hopes of a career in school administration.
Going into the state competition last week, Montgomery had to say good-bye to her family on Sunday; she would not be able to see her family again until Friday.
“It was very hard for me. This is something I have never done before. It was challenging and whenever I am challenged I always had that motherly hug. I cried when I saw my mom again on Friday,” Montgomery said.
Of the week long preparations, she said her favorite part was the community service.
“I really like giving back and making a difference in someone’s life,” she said.
She also said how great it was just meeting young women from all over the state. She enjoyed listening to the different mindsets each of the contestants had.
The young women stayed in the dorms at USM for the week. Montgomery said her roommate was Abbie Rose Gamble, Booneville’s Miss Hospitality. She said she and her roommate got along great and were able to talk about things that they may not have agreed on but able to communicate in such a way they were able to see the other side. She said Gamble was very good at encouraging her.
“She was the absolute best,” Montgomery said of her roommate.
Her niece, Isley Montgomery, was her Little Miss Hospitality. Montgomery said it was great watching her niece interact with the other girls.
Friday night was the first night of the competition. She said was nervous and wasn’t sure how she was supposed to feel but she went out there and did what she practiced.
Saturday night, she made the top 10.
“I was definitely shocked; this was the first time ever doing this, and I made the top 10. I was mind- blown,” she said.
She then had to compete in the evening gown contest and also do an interview regarding Columbia. That put her in the top five.
Montgomery said she didn’t have much time to prepare, but she had to write a couple of speeches that needed to be memorized. She really had to research to get the economic and tourism information for Columbia, she said.
One of the questions she had to answer was, “Why would people want to come to Columbia, Mississippi?”
“With the great things we have going on right now, especially the festivals, it was easy for me to answer,” she said.
Montgomery said she was approached by pageant coaches who encouraged her to do more and said that just might be in her future.
In addition, she said she has learned so much about her city and state through participation in the program.
“I believe Columbia will be the new hot spot in the next three years,” she said.
Pictured Above: Asia Montgomery celebrates Saturday after placing as third alternate in the Mississippi Miss Hospitality pageant in Hattiesburg — on her 21st birthday. | Photo submitted
