USM, Hattiesburg Celebrate Alumna Vivian O’Neal with Miss Mississippi Homecoming Celebration

Mon, 08/14/2023 - 10:43am | By: David Tisdale

Miss Mississippi Vivian O’Neal felt the love Aug. 13 when her alma mater, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), held a homecoming for the Hattiesburg area native, which brought friends, family and admirers from across the Pine Belt and beyond who celebrated her victory at the state pageant and wished her well on her quest for the Miss America title.

The event, held at the Trent Lott Center on the university’s Hattiesburg campus, included official greetings from USM President Dr. Joseph S. Paul and Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker, among other dignitaries.

“Being on campus always feels like being at home, and this [event] means the world to me,” O’Neal said about the reception, where she happily signed autographs and took photos with guests. “These are people who have been with me along my USM and Miss Mississippi journey, and it’s wonderful to be together with them here.”

O’Neal earned a degree in public relations and minor in political science from USM in 2020. In her role as Miss Mississippi, she has been fulfilling a busy schedule, traveling across the state to speak at various events and programs, while also promoting her non-profit community service initiative, CapABLE, an educational tool that provides educators with solutions for bridging emotional learning for all students, including those with disabilities.

“We couldn’t be prouder of her and how she represents Hattiesburg and USM so well,” said Hattiesburg City Councilman Jeffrey George, also a USM alumnus and a former Student Government Association (SGA) president. “We’re excited about her chances at the Miss American Pageant and wish her all the best.”

(USM photos by Kelly Dunn)