BROOKHAVEN — Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce announced the 2024 Miss Merry Christmas is Mary Elizabeth “Emme” Barrett. She is a senior at Brookhaven Academy. 

Katie Nations and Jillian Richerri with the Chamber of Commerce and the Brookhaven Tourism Council crowned Barrett Wednesday evening. It is not the first time Barrett has been crowned. 

She was a homecoming maid in 9th grade and Ms. Junior High BA in 9th grade. 

“I am very thankful for this honor. I love Lincoln County so much, I’ve loved growing up here,” Barrett said. “I’ve grown to love Lincoln County and I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to seeing little kids and putting a smile on their faces. I love being a light to those who look up to me and those around me.”

Barrett said she saw an ad on social media for Miss Merry Christmas and talked to her mom Brandi Barrett. Her mom told her it would be a great opportunity so she talked with Nations some more. The conversation she had with Nations made her very interested in becoming Miss Merry Christmas. She was chosen from a field of six finalists.

Her first public appearance as Miss Merry Christmas will be Saturday during Christmas Open House. She will continue to serve as the holiday ambassador throughout the season. 

The honor is well deserved for Barrett. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Science National Honors Club. In the past, she has paged for local politicians in the Mississippi State Capitol where her dad Jason Barrett serves as a state senator. 

On the softball field, she was a captain of the team in her senior year and won state titles in 9th, 10th and 12th grade and earned most improved player in 10th grade and was named to the all-district softball team in the 10th and 11th grade. She also serves as the cheer team captain. 

Off the field, she was a class student body representative in 9th grade, won student of the month in 9th and 11th grade, most dependable in 9th grade, class favorite in 11th grade, community service award in 9th grade, UCA pin it forward and Student Body Secretary in 11th grade. 

Barrett received highest academic honors in 9th, 10th and 12th grade. She is a recipient of the Magnolia Electric Youth Leadership. May is quickly approaching and with it, graduation. 

“It is very bittersweet. I love all my friends at BA,” Barrett said. “Growing up there has been some of the best memories. I wouldn’t be who I am without them.”

After high school, she plans to attend Mississippi State University to pursue a Biomedical Engineering degree. Her next step after graduating from Mississippi State would be to attend the Mississippi University for Women to become a Physician’s Assistant. 

“I wanted to do something in the medical field and with biomedical you can take things in a bunch of different directions,” Barrett said. “Sometimes I want to be a nurse and other times I want to be a physician’s assistant. You can take it whatever way you want to go.”