Miss New Albany works to promote community despite pandemic restrictions

Ivy Jordan has had a challenging year as Miss New Albany, thanks to restrictions placed on public events by the COVID-19 virus.

A large part of her duties involve hospitality and activities promoting the city, which have been relatively few. The change has caused her to rely more on social media.

Jordan will hand her crown to a new Miss New Albany Feb. 20 during the second annual pageant sponsored by New Albany Main Street and the office of Community Development. It will be a precursor to the Miss Hospitality Mississippi pageant July 11-17 in Hattiesburg.

Jordan has performed duties such as cutting the ribbon to open the Tallahatchie RiverFest, emceeing the New Albany High School Pageant and lighting the community Christmas Tree, but she has done more.

“We took baskets of food to local health care workers,” she said. “That was good. We all should have a servant’s heart.”

There have been some requirements that come with the title as well.

“We had an ad sales scholarship and a social media scholarship,” she said concerning the state-level competition. “I was pretty close to selling the most ads. That just shows how supportive people here are.”

The social media component required each contestant to post about specific good points or attractions in the community on specific dates. “Over four months we had to do three or four a week,” she said.

“This was good for me,” she said of the posting. “Because I felt like I couldn’t do anything because of the COVID.”

“I tried not to be in a big hurry,” she said. “This gave me insight and helped me learn about the town.”

Jordan is a senior at Blue Mountain College majoring in Elementary Education with a focus on English and History.

“We have a safe town, a good place to raise a family,” she said.

Miss New Albany 2021

This year’s pageant will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Magnolia Civic Center and include two categories.

The Miss Teen New Albany pageant will be for young women ages 13 through 17. Judging will be based on evening gown appearance and then active wear. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship.

The Miss New Albany pageant is for women ages 18 (as of July 11) through 24. Judging will be on a casual get-to-know-you five-minute interview, a 20-second speech on stage promoting New Albany and Union County, and then evening gown.

The first runner-up will receive a $750 scholarship and the winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship. All the scholarships must be used at Mississippi schools and contestants must live in New Albany or Union County, or if in college have a primary or parents’ address in Union County.

“We’re having good response,’ pageant director Chris Pugh said. “The community is so supportive and local businesses have given to the pageant.”

“Ivy took on this role in the middle of the pandemic and did very, very well to be picked in the top 10 contestants at Hattiesburg (where the state pageant was held).”

“Ivy is leaving some pretty big shoes to fill,” he added. “Thanks to her we are off to a good start.”
Pugh promises a safe pageant with social distancing and other precautionary measures. “And we will have an upbeat atmosphere and music,” he added.

Billye Jean Stroud, Main Street and Community Development director said, “We are so thankful to have Chris on board. His years of experience have already made a huge difference for our plans.”

Young women who are interested in participating in the pageant can get information and applications at newalbanymainstreet.com or by calling Chris Pugh at 662-316-8594.