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Another Chamber Banquet has come and gone. The Magee Chamber hosted the 69th Annual Banquet Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center.
Special music for the evening was provided by a local entertainment band Vintage 601.
Marc McMillian sang the National Anthem and Fire Chief David Craft led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mack Walker gave the Invocation.
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Continuing with previous traditions each table was beautifully decorated with table scapes by local volunteers and business. The winner of the tables scapes was Magee Co-Op.
A Buffett style dinner was provided by Smokey Mountain Grill.
This year’s Miss Hospitality is Natalie Styron. Natalie is the 18-year-old daughter of Jon and Jessica Styron of Magee. A graduate of Simpson County Academy, she currently attends Copiah Lincoln Community College. She as a member of the National Honor Society and Future Leaders of America. Natalie has served as cheer captain, and earned both All-American and MAIS All-star designations. She recently continued her cheerleading career at the community college level. Natalie plans to attend nursing school and pursue a career as a neonatal nurse.
Lucy McMillian will represent Magee as our Little Miss Hospitality for 2025. Lucy is the 6-year-old daughter of Marc and Maggie McMillian. She’s a student at Simpson Academy and attends Corinth Baptist Church. She enjoys gymnastics and dance.
Throughout the upcoming year, they will represent Magee at local events and ribbon-cutting ceremonies. This summer, Natalie will compete in the state Miss Hospitality program, with the final rounds of competition taking place on July 18-19 in Hattiesburg.
Mayor Dale Berry addressed the audience. You can judge the strength of your local economy by sales tax collections. Magee is on schedule to go over $3 million dollars in sales tax collections this year. This will be the first time ever. Our internet sales collections are projected to be approximately $525 thousand. This indicates a strong local economy. Downtown is growing. We will be getting our fourth two-story building with balconies for apartments. This presents a flair for downtown Magee. There are forty new houses being built in Magee. New rooftops mean more ad valorem taxes. According to Mississippi Sales tax collections Magee ranks 45th out of 330 municipalities.
Students from Magee High School and Simpson County Academy were honored. Magee’s Star Student is Lauren Rankin. Lauren chose Lindsay Buffington Purdum as her Star Teacher. Simpson County Academy’s Star Student is Addison McWilliams and she chose Michelle Crace as her Star Teacher.
Magee Chamber awarded two scholarships. Receiving the award for Magee High School was Carson Harper. Avery Vanderfod was the student awarded the scholarship from Simpson County Academy.
Two individuals were chosen as Hall of Fame recipients. Michael Dunn and Robbie Barnes were both selected for the prestigious award.
Outstanding Citizen was David Magee and Lee Maddox was chosen as Spirit of Magee.
Business of the Year selected was the Magee Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department was called out on a fire call were previous fire fighters present and firefighter spouses accepted the award on their behalf.
President Lacye Evans updated the audience on the past year’s accomplishments by the Chamber. Evans then passed the gavel to the newest President Allyson Berch.
Magee’s Chamber of Commerce 2024 – 2025 Officers are Lacye Evans – President, Allyson Berch – Vice President, Paula Colson – Treasurer, and Doris Adcox – Executive Director.
Board of Directors Retiring 2024 – 2025 are Melisa Herrington, Denver Carter and Lacye Evans.
2023 – 2026 members are Leman Cockrell, Paula Colson, Tyler Cheramie, Stacy Warren and Jack Robertson.
2024 – 2027 members are Riley Runnels, Allyson Berch, and John Riley.
2025 – 2028 newest members are Christin Curlee, Maggie Williams, Katelyn Lindsey, Darrell Moffett.
The evening ended with James May singing God Bless America.
MageeNews.com is an online news source serving Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
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