Jordan Hale, 14, will be representing Hartselle and the state of Alabama at the World’s Miss Tourism Finals in Clarksville, Tenn., on July 31, Aug. 1-2. Jordan is the daughter of Dwight and Angela Hale, and is the reigning World’s Jr. Miss Alabama Tourism – a title she has held since August 2014.

The World’s Miss Tourism Pageant began in 1998 and is based out of Nashville, Tenn. This organization wants to change the way people think of pageantry, according to Teri Moore-Alexander, national director and pageant owner. The goal is to provide communities throughout the world with a meaningful alternative for girls and young women, to celebrate personal charity, volunteerism and personal growth in support of nonprofits that strengthens their  communities and  promotes the common good.

“Our goal is to provide girls with self improvement opportunities allowing them to grow as role models in their communities,” Alexander added.

Jordan will be competing against girls from across the United States in beauty, photogenic, interview, talent and on-stage introductions. During her on-stage introduction – she will promote tourism in Hartselle and the great state of Alabama while wearing a dress made of hounds tooth, custom made for her by Jackie Landers, a local seamstress. The dress features her love for her hometown and the University of Alabama, where she hopes to attend college.

Jordan is an honor student and incoming Freshman at Hartselle High in the fall. She spends many hours at Dancers Inc. where she takes all genres of dance, and performs on the Dancers Inc. Performance Team.

“Whether I am volunteering in my community or dancing on the stage, my real passion is using God gifts to make people smile,” Jordan said.  “Being a part of this pageant system has helped me to recognize the tourism opportunities in my own community and to promote this great city.”

During her year as the reigning Jr. Miss Tourism she has participated in parades from Hartselle to Winfield, Tuscaloosa to Austin Peay University in Clarksville, Tenn. Her charity work included a bake sale for St. Jude’s, collecting drink tabs for Ronald McDonald House,  Candy for Cops at Valentine’s Day, adopting a child at Christmas, raising money for the Heart Association through her school and participating in several charity 5K runs for Heart and Cancer as well as fundraisers for these events. Jordan also loves volunteering with the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, as an Ambassador/Leadership Team member at her school and projects supported by her church.  Jordan is a member of First United Methodist Church of Hartselle.

She has visited many cities across the state during her reign – many she has never visited before. Jordan said, “Mom always stops to make photos for the scrapbook.”

One of Jordan’s most recent visits was to Montgomery where she met Gov. Robert Bentley. Gov. Bentley signed a proclamation commending Jordan on her “grace, poise and exemplary character.”

“This was my first time to meet the governor. I felt really special,” she said.

If you would like to support Jordan in her road for the title of Jr. Miss World’s Tourism monetarily or just send a good luck card, please send them to Post Office Box 1006, Hartselle, AL. 35640. You can also go to www.worldstourismpageants.com and cast your vote for her in People’s Choice. Cost is $2 per vote.

“I am really excited to represent Hartselle at the World’s Finals and I hope to bring home the crown,” Jordan added.

Jordan Hale| Special to the Enquirer