Melanie Foster will end a summer of anticipation Sunday as she travels to Hattiesburg for the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Pageant.

As she prepares for the trip, Foster says recent days have been a combination of nervousness and excitement.

&uot;Actually right now I’m not too nervous,&uot; she said. &uot;I’m real excited.&uot;

Foster was selected to hold the title of Miss Natchez Hospitality in April after an interview with the Natchez Chamber of Commerce. She has spent part of her summer preparing for the trip and speaking at different functions around town.

She has spent recent days preparing her outfits for the trip and fixing goody bags with items that represent Natchez for the other pageant contestants.

&uot;I’m just ready to get there,&uot; Foster said. &uot;It feels like it’s been a long process trying to get it all done.&uot;

Next week she will divide her days between production rehearsals, interviews and other activities. The week will conclude with the actual pageant on Saturday.

Of all the events on her schedule, Foster said, the interviews that begin Wednesday are giving her the most worry.

&uot;That’s when I start getting nervous – probably about Tuesday night,&uot; she said.

As part of the process she will have to give a 90-second speech about Mississippi or what she would tell people about her home state.

The 35 pageant contestants will have a preliminary pageant Friday. The judges will name their 10 finalists on Saturday but Foster said she cannot focus on winning the title.

&uot;I’m just ready to go meet everyone and (do) my best,&uot; she said.

Foster is the daughter of Glen Foster and Carole Foster.

Anyone wishing to contact Foster during the pageant can send deliveries to Melanie Foster of Natchez, University of Southern Mississippi, Pulley Hall.

Mail can be sent to Melanie Foster of Natchez, University of Southern Mississippi c/o Mississippi Miss Hospitality, Box 5016, Hattiesburg, Miss., 39406.