Scholarship and service are the two main components of the Miss America program, and criteria for serving as the state titleholder reflect the national standards.

“The official Miss America job description also applies to Miss Mississippi,” Karen Jones said.

Jones has spent the last 11 years serving as the business manager for Miss Mississippi and knows first-hand the specifics of how Miss Mississippi spends her year of reign.

Miss Mississippi will make anywhere between 100 to 150 appearances during the year, which include visiting the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson once a month for the birthday party for patients, Jones said.

“She will also attend conventions all over the state, parades, beauty and beau pageants, churches, state conferences, galas, college appearances, women’s conferences, grand openings and ribbon cuttings, chamber meetings around the state, civic club meetings, patron appearances and at local preliminaries.”

Some of 2015 Miss Mississippi Hannah Roberts’ appearances included Gov. Phil Bryant’s Inauguration, the grand opening of the Grammy Museum, in Cleveland, the Meridian Symphony Orchestra’s Link Up program, and she rappelled down the 14-story Trustmark Building in Jackson to raise money for the Blair E. Batson Hospital.

Miss Mississippi is financially compensated for her appearances, Jones said, and can earn anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 during the year.

“Miss Mississippi partners with the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians Foundation where they pay her $5,000 to go into 20 schools around the state and promote Tar Wars, a non smoking and making right decisions message for 4th and 5th graders,” Jones said.

Appearances for the state titleholder are scheduled through the Miss Mississippi Pageant business office, only.

“Miss Mississippi is never allowed to schedule her own appearances, but if she gets a request she will forward it to me,” Jones said.

“She doesn’t normally get to pick and choose where she goes, but if there is something she is interested in doing during her year, I always try and make it happen for her if feasible.”

Jones said some organizations book speaking engagements and autograph signings from Miss Mississippi every year.

“And then some bookings will depend on whether the girl is a singer, dancer or in Hannah’s case a violin player.”

Since serving as the business manager, Jones said she has never had a Miss Mississippi not want to attend a specific event.

“I always tell the girls that I will never book them anywhere or send them anywhere that I would not send my own daughter.”

Jones is not required to attend all events, but if Miss Mississippi goes alone there will be someone designated at the appearance that will be assigned to her, Jones said.

Miss Mississippi is on call 24 hours a day seven days a week. Also included in her job description, which was provided by Jones, the state title holder is expected to be prepared for multiple long days and long periods of time away from family and friends. She must always be professional in appearance, on time, honest, friendly and sincere. She must be able to roll with the punches, and reach out to all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. She must have the discipline to attend and be engaged and interested in all booked appearances and be prepare in advance for each.