Halferty Selected First Homecoming Maid to Represent Southern Miss Gulf Coast

Homecoming spirit is soaring at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast as the first homecoming maid has been selected to represent the university's Gulf Park campus and five teaching and research sites.

Ashley Halferty of Kiln, Miss., a senior accounting major, was voted by her fellow Southern Miss Gulf Coast students to represent the student population at the university's homecoming game and Spirit Week festivities.

Southern Miss will present the homecoming court at halftime during its football game against Southern Methodist University Saturday, Oct. 22. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.

Halferty says the honor is a “great way to show the Southern Miss spirit shared by all on the Gulf Coast.”

“I believe I reflect the various students we have here at Southern Miss Gulf Coast,” said Halferty. “I am a student, wife, mother and full-time employee. Like many of our students, I know what it is like to manage so many responsibilities at once. I am honored to serve in this new role and intend to represent Southern Miss Gulf Coast with grace and school spirit.”

Serving as the volunteer chairman of the Accounting Society at Southern Miss Gulf Coast, Halferty's position enables the Accounting Society to have a positive impact on the local community by coordinating and supervising members' volunteer efforts. In her position, she also coordinates charitable activities such as the canned food drive that will be held in November. 

As an integral member of the American Heart Association Heart Walk team, Halferty has also assisted in the coordination of a fundraising luncheon at the Gulf Park campus and participated in the event's annual Heart Walk on the Gulf Coast. In addition to her on-campus contributions, Halferty also continues her community service at home where she has served as a foster parent for dogs in the Homeward Bound program.

To celebrate its first homecoming maid representative, Southern Miss Gulf Coast will host a Golf Cart Spirit Parade at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, on the lawn of the Gulf Coast Library. Festivities will continue after the parade at a reception honoring the homecoming maid.

For more information about the Southern Miss Gulf Coast homecoming maid and festivities, call 228.865.4573.