Shelby Flumm credits her renewed self confidence to her year as Lincoln County’s Miss Hospitality.

Now it’s time to pin that banner on another young woman who will serve as an ambassador for the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

Applications are available at the Chamber for the annual Miss Hospitality contest, which will be held April 7. The contest includes a brief interview and focuses on presence and composure.

It’s open to high school senior girls and young women up to age 24.

The winner on the local level will immediately begin preparations to represent Lincoln County in the state program in July. She’ll participate in mock interviews and practice presenting her speech.

Flumm said preparing for the state contest gave her skills in interviewing and poise that she’s using at University of Mississippi, where the Brookhaven Academy graduate is a pre-pharmacy major.

She also made many friends at the state pageant.

“Now just about anywhere I go in Mississippi I have a friend there that I know,” she said.

As Miss Hospitality, Flumm has been in the spotlight at the annual Christmas parade, Jazzed Up Downtown, ribbon-cutting ceremonies and other Chamber events. She encourages other young women to participate in the contest for the experience they’ll gain in the process.

“It gets them ready for the world,” she said. “They should just come try. It really has been an amazing year.”

Chamber Program Director Katie Nations said the state program has added a Little Miss Hospitality to the local programs. The young girl, age 6-10, will be chosen by the Lincoln County Miss Hospitality. That girl will accompany the winner to the state pageant and will be on stage with her on the Friday and Saturday nights of the program.

“They can choose anybody that they think would have fun doing it,” she said.

There will also be at-large competitions held for young women who want to compete but don’t have a local director. Those non-Lincoln County residents who meet the age requirements can call Nations at 601-833-1411 for details or email admin@grookhavenchamber.com.