Lincoln County’s Miss Hospitality Joy Powell was named fourthrunner-up this weekend in the state pageant in Hattiesburg.

Powell, the daughter of Ken and Sherry Powell, competed against35 other girls for the state title and the chance to promoteMississippi in tourism and commerce.

“She is just a joy, what her name denotes,” said Rita Rich,Brookhaven and Lincoln County’s Chamber of Commerce president. “Youfeel her kindness and love whenever you are around her.”

Rich attended the pageant and said the support and attendancefrom Lincoln County residents was astounding. More than 65 ticketswere sold to people from Lincoln County, Rich said.

“I had the largest cheering crowd there by far,” Powellsaid.

Powell said she had a positive experience at the pageant andmade many new friends, but the part that worried her the most wasthe on-stage question.

“The whole time I was on stage I was praying because I wasnervous about the on-stage questions,” Powell said. “I just keptgoing over my favorite Bible verses and smiling.”

Powell won in the 90 second speech category. In her speech shepromoted Mississippi, naming different items the state is first in,such as family and faith, Powell said.

Rich said Lincoln County is well represented every year at theMiss Hospitality state pageant and the community support is alwaysstrong. The Lincoln County participant always does very well too,she said.

Powell offered thanks to her family and the community for theirsupport.