The Volunteer of the Week is Marigaye Guidry Cooper. She is married to Jay Cooper and they attend St. Michael Catholic Church. Cooper is a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, where she received a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration. She is a seventh-grade teacher at the Academy of Innovation, where she enjoys teaching Cyber Foundations in the Career and Technical Education Department. 

How did your volunteering for the Junior Auxiliary and the Miss Mississippi Organization begin? 

I began volunteering with JA when I joined the organization in 2022. I began volunteering with the Miss Mississippi Organization in 2016 when I was asked to help with Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen contestant dressing rooms by another volunteer. Since then, I have started helping in the Miss Mississippi contestant dressing room. My volunteerism started many moons ago at Warren Central High School and Southern Miss. 

How long have you been volunteering with Junior Auxiliary and The Miss Mississippi Organization?

I have been with JA for two years and The Miss Mississippi Organization for eight years. 

What is your favorite memory while volunteering for the Junior Auxiliary?

My favorite memories have been volunteering at the Warren County Children’s Shelter and Vicksburg Family Development. I loved working with other JA members at the VFD Trunk or Treat. We had a blast serving the children of Warren County. 

What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering?

Serving others gives me purpose. I have found great joy in serving the children of Warren County and the brilliant young ladies who compete for the Miss Mississippi Organization. I surely have gained more than I could ever give simply by showing up and helping out when I could. Our small contributions make the world a better place. 

What are some of your tasks while volunteering for the Junior Auxiliary and Miss Mississippi?

In JA, I am the co-chair for the children’s shelter and I volunteer on many of JA’s projects. For Miss Mississippi, I help with anything wardrobe including communication with hostesses during the week to give the contestants a memorable experience.

What have you learned from volunteering?

I have learned that my time will come and go so I better do something worthwhile with it. What better way than serving others? I have enjoyed meeting many new people, networking and making friends along the way. 

How can someone who is interested in volunteering with the Junior Auxiliary or Miss Mississippi get involved?

People can get involved with the Junior Auxiliary by supporting events including the Chili for Children Cookoff, Laces for Love 5K and our Annual Golf Tournament. People can get involved with Miss Mississippi by helping as a hostess, dressing room attendant or with the Magnolia Belles. 

If there is a volunteer who should be featured, please submit their name and contact information to volunteer@vicksburgpost.com.