Miss Georgia (U.S. state)

The Miss Georgia competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Georgia in the Miss America pageant.

For the U.S. state pageant affiliated with Miss USA, see Miss Georgia USA.
For the national pageant affiliated with Miss Universe and Miss World, see Miss Georgia (country).
Miss Georgia
TypeBeauty pageant
Location
Membership
Miss America
WebsiteOfficial website

Georgia has won the Miss America crown twice - Neva Jane Langley of Lakeland, Florida who won the 1953 Miss America title, and in 2015, when Betty Cantrell of Warner Robins was named Miss America 2016, making her the first native-born Miss Georgia to hold the Miss America title.

In the fall of 2018, the Miss America Organization (MAO) terminated Miss Georgia organization's license as well as licenses from Florida, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.[1][2] On December 22, 2018; the MAO reinstated the license for the Miss Georgia organization to Trina Pruitt.[3]

Kelsey Hollis of Warner Robins was crowned Miss Georgia 2022 on June 18, 2022 at River Center for the Performing Arts in Columbus. She represented Georgia and competed for the title of Miss America 2023 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut in December 2022 where she was named 4th runner-up along with winning a Preliminary Social Impact Pitch award.

Results summary

The following is a visual summary of the past results of Miss Georgia titleholders at the national Miss America pageants/competitions. The year in parentheses indicates the year of the national competition during which a placement and/or award was garnered, not the year attached to the contestant's state title.

Placements
  • Miss Americas: Neva Jane Langley (1953), Betty Cantrell (2016)
  • 1st runners-up: Jody Shattuck (1958), Kara Martin (1994), Monica Pang (2006), Chasity Hardman (2009), Victoria Hill (2020)
  • 2nd runners-up: Janey Miller (1946), Kristl Evans (1982), Amanda Kozak (2007)
  • 3rd runners-up: Andrea Krahn (1995)
  • 4th runners-up: Kelsey Hollis (2023)
  • Top 10: Estelle Bradley (1924), Jeannie Cross (1963), Cynthia Cook (1972), Bobbie Eakes (1983), Marlesa Ball (1987), Danica Tisdale (2005), Leah Massee (2008), Carly Mathis (2014)
  • Top 12: Alyssa Beasley (2018)
  • Top 15: Alice Talton (1938), Esther Shepard (1941), Jerry Long (1948), Andrea Bailey (2004)

Preliminary awards

Non-finalist awards
  • Non-finalist Talent: Seva Day (1976), Sandra Eakes (1980), Camille Bentley (1985), Kelly Jerles (1988), Jamie Price (1990), April Brinson (1999), Osjha Anderson (2000)
  • Non-finalist Interview: Darla Pruett (tie) (1991)

Other awards

Winners
  •   Declared as winner
  •   Ended as a runner-up
  •   Ended as a finalist or semi-finalist
Year Name Hometown Age Local Title Miss America Talent Placement at Miss America Special scholarships at Miss America Notes
2023 Tara Schiphof King 24 Dance TBA TBA
2022 Kelsey Hollis Warner Robins 23 Miss Capital City Vocal 4th Runner-Up Preliminary Social Impact Pitch Previously Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen 2016, 2nd runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2017[4]
2021 Karson Pennington[5] Augusta 23 Miss University of Georgia Tap Dance Equity and Justice 1st runner-up 1st runner-up at Miss Georgia Teen USA 2016 and 4th runner-up at Miss Georgia Teen USA 2017[6]

Later 2nd runner-up at Miss Georgia USA 2023[6]
2020 No pageant held[lower-alpha 1]
2019 Victoria Hill[9] Canton 20 Miss Capital City Classical Vocal, "Chacun le sait" from La fille du régiment 1st runner-up[10] Preliminary On Stage Interview Award[11]

Preliminary Talent Award[12]
2018 Annie Jorgensen[13] Athens 22 Miss International City Jazz Dance, "Feeling Good" by Michael Bublé Quality of Life Award Finalist[14] Previously Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen 2011[15]

Previously Miss High School America 2013[16]

Later a contestant on season 3 of Joe Millionaire
2017 Alyssa Beasley[17] Brunswick 19 Miss Southeast Georgia Lyrical Dance, "When Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground" Top 12[18] Later Miss Georgia USA 2020[19]
Top 16 at Miss USA 2020 pageant[20]
2016 Patricia Ford[21] Johns Creek 22 Miss Capital City Ballet en Pointe, "Explosive" by Bond Women in Business Scholarship Award[22] 1st runner-up at National Sweetheart 2015 pageant
2015 Adeline Kenerly[23] Jesup 21 Miss Capital City Dance/Twirl Did not compete; originally 1st runner-up, later assumed the title after Cantrell won Miss America 2016
Betty Cantrell[24][25] Warner Robins 20 Miss Warner Robins Classical Vocal, "Tu Tu Piccolo Iddio" from Madame Butterfly Winner[26] Preliminary Talent Award[27]
2014 Maggie Bridges[28] Brinson 21 Miss Capital City Vocal, "Bridge over Troubled Water" CMN Miracle Maker 1st runner-up[29]

STEM Scholarship Award[29]
2013 Carly Mathis[30] Leesburg 22 Miss Atlanta Vocal, "On My Own" Top 10 Preliminary Swimsuit Award Contestant at National Sweetheart 2012 pageant
2012 Leighton Jordan[31] Suwanee 19 Miss Capital City Ballet en Pointe, "Malagueña"
2011 Michaela Lackey[32] Marietta 21 Miss Heart of Lakes Classical Ballet En Pointe, "Tournament Gallop" by Louis Moreau Gottschalk Previously Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen 2007[32]
2010 Christina McCauley[33] Marietta 21 Miss Southern Heartland Classical Vocal, "Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen" Quality of Life Award Finalist
2009 Emily Cook Marietta 21 Miss Cobb County Oboe, Gershwin's Prelude No. 1 1st runner-up at Miss Georgia 2009 pageant, assumed title when Higgins resigned[34]
Kristina Higgins[34] Dacula Miss Capital City N/A Less than 24 hours after winning the crown, Higgins stepped down from her role as Miss Georgia due to her responsibilities as a middle school teacher[34]
2008 Chasity Hardman[35] Columbus 24 Miss Capital City Vocal, "Home" from The Wiz 1st runner-up Preliminary Talent Award Received a "Golden Sash" and automatic Top 15 placement at Miss America 2009 pageant on Miss America: Countdown to the Crown
2007 Leah Massee Fitzgerald 24 Miss Capital City Vocal, "If I Had My Way" Top 10
2006 Amanda Kozak Warner Robins 22 Miss Valdosta Tap Dance, "Baby I'm a Star" 2nd runner-up 1st runner-up at National Sweetheart 2005 pageant

Later Miss Georgia USA 2008
2005 Monica Pang Atlanta 25 Miss Lake Lanier Classical Piano, "Polonaise in G Sharp Minor" by Frédéric Chopin 1st runner-up Previously National Sweetheart 2004
2004 Danica Tisdale Atlanta 24 Miss Atlanta Vocal, "Please Send Me Someone to Love" Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
2003 Andrea Bailey Evans 24 Miss Savannah Vocal, "Sometimes I Dream" Top 15 Previously National Sweetheart 1999
2002 Amy Mulkey Gainesville 23 Miss Atlanta Classical Piano, "Toccata" by Aram Khachaturian Preliminary On-Stage Question Award
2001 Emily Foster Cornelia 23 Miss Northwest Georgia Piano, "Majesty" Preliminary Swimsuit Award
2000 Pamela Kennedy LaGrange 23 Miss Atlanta Vocal, "Vienna"
1999 Osjha Anderson Glennville 24 Miss University of Georgia Vocal, "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" Non-finalist Talent Award
1998 April Brinson Bainbridge 20 Miss Greater Southwest Georgia Vocal, "Tell Him" Non-finalist Talent Award
1997 Candice Little Hartwell 23 Miss Lake Lanier Tap Dance, "Jump 'N Jive"
1996 Shea Olliff Augusta 24 Miss Northeast Georgia Popular Vocal, "Can You Read My Mind" Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship
1995 Rachel English Thomaston 21 Miss University of Georgia Tap Dance, "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)"
1994 Andrea Krahn Calhoun 20 Miss West Coast Georgia Vocal, "I Fall to Pieces" 3rd runner-up Assumed Miss Georgia title when Grogan resigned
Joanne Grogan[36] Marietta 21 Miss University of Georgia N/A Resigned within 24 hours of winning title to pursue career opportunities

Currently a meteorologist for Fox 5 Atlanta under married name, Joanne Feldman[37]
1993 Kara Martin Statesboro 23 Miss Southeast Georgia Tap Dance, "Mack the Knife" 1st runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award Contestant at National Sweetheart 1991 pageant
1992 Stephanie Michels Marietta 24 Miss Southeast Georgia Vocal / Dance, "The Phantom of the Opera" Appeared in Broadway productions of The Life and Contact
1991 Kimberly Hardee Lilburn 20 Miss Stone Mountain Vocal selections from The Phantom of the Opera Reality TV pageant coach on Lifetime's Kim of Queens
1990 Darla Pruett Canton 22 Miss Northeast Georgia Vocal, "Some Enchanted Evening" from South Pacific Non-finalist Interview Award (tie)
1989 Jamie Price Tucker 22 Miss DeKalb County Popular Vocal, "When You Wish upon a Star" Non-finalist Talent Award
1988 Frances Frazier Rome 26 Miss Peachtree City Popular Vocal, "Amen"
1987 Kelly Jerles Perry 20 Miss Cobb County Vocal, "Where the Boys Are" Non-finalist Talent Award

Preliminary Swimsuit Award		 Previously Miss Georgia Teen USA 1983
3rd runner-up at Miss Teen USA 1983 pageant
1986 Marlesa Ball[38] Thomasville 23 Miss Southeast Georgia Vocal, "Amazing Grace" Top 10
1985 Samantha Mohr[39] Columbus 23 Miss Columbus Popular Vocal, "Wind Beneath My Wings"
1984 Camille Bentley Thomasville 19 Miss Thomasville Popular Vocal, "Until Now" Non-finalist Talent Award
1983 Tammy Fulwider Columbus 24 Miss Southeast Georgia Tap Dance / Vocal, "42nd Street"
1982 Bobbie Eakes Warner Robins 21 Miss University of Georgia Vocal, "Let's Hear It For Me" from Funny Lady Top 10 Sister of Miss Georgia 1979, Sandra Eakes

Later starred as Macy Alexander on The Bold and the Beautiful
1981 Kristl Evans Atlanta 21 Miss West Central Georgia Vocal, "Ring Them Bells" 2nd runner-up
1980 Lynn Smith Savannah 23 Miss Savannah Vocal Medley, "Get Happy" & "Hallelujah"
1979 Sandra Eakes Warner Robins 22 Miss Macon Popular Vocal, "The Trolley Song" & "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody" Non-finalist Talent Award Sister of Miss Georgia 1982, Bobbie Eakes
1978 Deborah Mosely Atlanta 21 Miss Dekalb County Vocal, "Summertime" & "I Got Plenty of Nothing" from Porgy and Bess
1977 Pam Souders Thomasville 18 Miss Thomasville Classical Vocal, "Sempre Libera" from La traviata
1976 Sandy Adamson Atlanta 20 Miss South Cobb Tap Dance, "I Can Do That" Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship
1975 Seva Day Thomasville 19 Miss Thomasville Vocal, "My Man" Non-finalist Talent Award
1974 Gail Nelson Atlanta 22 Miss Atlanta Vocal Medley, "So Long, Dearie," "Put on Your Sunday Clothes," & "Before the Parade Passes By" from Hello, Dolly!
1973 Gail Bullock Thomasville 19 Miss West Georgia College Ballet, Theme from Summer of '42
1972 Lisa Lawalin Rome 20 Miss Cedar Valley Vocal, "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady
1971 Cynthia Cook Smyrna 20 Miss Cobb County Ventriloquist Act, Singing & Interpretations Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
1970 Nancy Carr Midland 22 Miss Hamilton on the Square Popular Vocal, "I Wish You Love"
1969 Marilyn Olley Marietta 19 Miss Cobb County Dramatic Interpretation & Dance, Music from Romeo and Juliet
1968 Burma Davis Warner Robins 20 Miss Warner Robins Vocal, "This Is My Country"
1967 Sandra McRee Atlanta 19 Miss Atlanta Classical Vocal, "Caro Mio Ben"
1966 Maudie Walker Tifton 20 Miss Tifton Interpretive Dance
1965 Mary Jane Yates Savannah 20 Miss Coffee County Semi-classical Vocal, "With a Song In My Heart"
1964 Vivian Davis Augusta 19 Miss Augusta Skit & Vocal
1963 Nancy Middleton Macon Miss Macon Semi-classical Vocal
1962 Jeannie Cross Albany 18 Miss Albany Jazz Dance Top 10
1961 Glenda Brunson Savannah 18 Miss Savannah Spanish Dance
1960 Sandra Tally Homerville 18 Miss Pierce County Piano, "Deep Purple"
1959 Kayanne Shoffner Calhoun 19 Miss Gordon County Dramatic Reading
1958 Jeanette Ardell Marietta 18 Miss Cobb County Archery
1957 Jody Shattuck Atlanta 20 Miss Athens Vocal & Dance "Namely You" from Li'l Abner 1st runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award
1956 Jane Morris East Point 18 Miss East Point Ballet
1955 Jeanine Parris Atlanta 22 Miss Glenwood Dramatic Monologue
1954 Mary Jane Doar Macon 19 Miss Macon Vocal Medley of songs by George Gershwin
1953 Lucia Hutchinson Macon 22 Miss Macon Operatic Vocal, "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" from Samson et Dalila & "Love Is Where You Find It" from The Kissing Bandit
1952 Neva Jane Langley Macon 19 Miss Macon Classical Piano, "Toccata" Winner Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Preliminary Talent Award
1951 Carol Frances Taylor Alma 20 Monologue
1950 Louise Thomas Fitzgerald Miss Fitzgerald
1949 Dorothy Johnston LaGrange Miss Troup County Vocal from H.M.S. Pinafore
1948 Jerry Long Atlanta Miss Atlanta Tap Dance, "Cherokee" Top 15 Multiple Georgia representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Gwendolyn West Statesboro Miss Georgia
1947 Joy Elizabeth Smith Atlanta Miss Atlanta Vocal, "Eccentric Dance" Multiple Georgia representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Robbie Sauls Cuthbert Miss Georgia Vocal, "Smilin' Through"
1946 Janey Miller Atlanta Miss Atlanta Classical Vocal, "Vissi d'arte" 2nd runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Preliminary Talent Award		 Multiple Georgia representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Mary Lou Henderson Columbus Miss Columbus
1945 Pauline Walker Miss Atlanta Multiple Georgia representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Doris Coker Columbus Miss Columbus Vocal, "Candy"
1944 Mary Ann Linane Miss Atlanta Multiple Georgia representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Trudie Hayward Atlanta Miss Georgia
1943 Barbara Britton Miss Atlanta Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1942 No Georgia representative at Miss America pageant[40]
1941 Esther Shepard Griffin Miss Georgia Top 15 Multiple Georgia representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Gladys Collins Savannah Miss Savannah
1940 No Georgia representative at Miss America pageant[41]
1939 Mary Durrance Glennville Miss Georgia Vocal Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1938 Alice Talton Atlanta Miss Atlanta Top 15
1937 Lorraine Mayfield Atlanta Miss Atlanta Multiple Georgia representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Olga Strickland Miss Augusta
Carolyn Cumbie Miss Savannah Beach
1936 Ora York Atlanta Miss Atlanta Multiple Georgia representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Hilda Veale Watkinsville Miss Georgia
1935 LaRue Wilson Atlanta Miss Atlanta Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1934 No national pageant was held[42]
1933 No Georgia representative at Miss America pageant[43]
1932
No national pageants were held[42]
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927
No Georgia representative at Miss America pageant[44][45][46]
1926
1925
1924 Estelle Bradley Miss Atlanta N/A[47] Top 10 Competed under local title at national pageant
Anne Davis Miss Columbus
1923 Frances Thayer[48] Atlanta Miss Atlanta Competed under local title at national pageant
1922 Frances Gurr[49] Macon Miss Macon
1921 No Georgia representative at Miss America pageant[50]

Notes
  1. Pageant cancelled, no runners-up from the 2019 competition had been taking the title after state and national pageants postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7][8]

References
  1. Parry, Wayne (October 8, 2018). "Miss America Organization strikes back at rebellious states". The Associated Press.
  2. Parry, Wayne (December 5, 2018). "Miss America terminates agreements with NJ, NY and FL". The Associated Press.
  3. "Miss America, Miss Georgia choose new Georgia license group". The Albany Herald. December 26, 2018.
  4. Stewart, Kristen (August 8, 2016). "Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2017 Crowned in Orlando". PR Newswire. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  5. "Augusta woman becomes Miss Georgia 2021". WJBF. 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  6. "Miss Georgia USA and Miss Georgia Teen USA pageant results". Pageant Update. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  7. Kuperinksy, Amy (May 8, 2020). "Miss America postpones pageant until 2021, N.J. pageant still set for September". Press of Atlantic City.
  8. Smith, Tandra (June 3, 2020). "Miss Georgia competition postponed for 2020. Here's when it will take place". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
  9. Coyne, Amanda C. (June 15, 2019). "Atlanta queens win Miss Georgia, Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  10. Coyne, Amanda C. (December 19, 2019). "Miss Georgia places first runner-up at Miss America 2020 competition". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  11. Melhorn, Mark (December 17, 2019). "Miss Georgia is a repeat winner in second night of Miss America prelims". Press of Atlantic City.
  12. Speaks, Shaquira (December 15, 2019). "Miss Georgia wins preliminary talent night during Miss America 2020 contest". WRBL News.
  13. Coyne, Amanda C. (June 16, 2018). "UGA grad crowned Miss Georgia; Miss Fulton County first runner-up". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  14. Serpico, Erin (August 26, 2018). "Miss America Cara Mund announces scholarship finalists before competition". Press of Atlantic City.
  15. "Forever Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teens". Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen.
  16. "Wisconsin's Annie Jorgensen Wins Miss High School America Pageant". The Pageant Center.
  17. Coyne, Amanda C. (June 17, 2017). "Kennesaw State student wins Miss Georgia". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  18. Coyne, Amanda C. (September 11, 2017). "Miss Georgia shines in Miss America top 12; North Dakota wins". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  19. Hill, Jordan (March 20, 2020). "See How Miss Georgia USA Alyssa Beasley Is Preparing For The Miss USA Pageant". Jezebel.
  20. Palczewski, Sara (November 10, 2020). "Miss Alabama USA, Auburn University graduate, finishes in top five of Miss USA pageant". Opelika-Auburn News.
  21. "Miss Georgia 2016 is Patricia Ford". pageantsnews.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. "The 2017 Academy of Honor, Quality of Life, STEM, & Women in Business Scholarship Recipients Honored On Stage". Miss America Organization. September 11, 2016.
  23. "Jesup Woman Crowned Miss Georgia". WJCL. September 17, 2015.
  24. "Miss Warner Robins is named Miss Georgia at Columbus pageant". Athens Banner-Herald. Athens, GA: Morris Communications. Associated Press. June 22, 2015.
  25. Pedersen, Stephanie (June 20, 2015). "Miss Warner Robins named 2015 Miss Georgia". Ledger-Enquirer. Columbus, GA: McClatchy.
  26. Jensen, Erin (September 14, 2015). "Miss Georgia is crowned Miss America 2016". USA Today. Gannett.
  27. "Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell of Warner Robins wins talent preliminary in Miss America pageant". The Telegraph. Macon, GA: McClatchy. September 11, 2015.
  28. Cobb, Powell (June 24, 2014). "Decatur County resident wins Miss Georgia pageant". The Post-Searchlight. Bainbridge, GA: Bainbridge Media LLC.
  29. "2015 Miss America Pageant Scholarship Winners". Miss America. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015.
  30. Okamoto, Sandra (June 23, 2013). "Update: Miss Atlanta Carly Mathis is Miss Georgia 2013". The Ledger-Enquirer.
  31. "Capital City contestant wins Miss Georgia crown". Athens Banner Herald. June 24, 2012.
  32. "Former Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen Michaela Lackey crowned Miss Georgia". Ledger-Enquirer. June 20, 2011.
  33. Miss Georgia Winners Announced
  34. "Newly crowned Miss Georgia steps down, cites teaching job". The Augusta Chronicle. June 29, 2009.
  35. "Columbus music student is second African-American Miss Georgia". Access WDUN. June 29, 2008.
  36. Grogan Crowned Miss Georgia
  37. "The Marietta Daily Journal - Fourth time s the charm for Cobb s queen". Archived from the original on 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2011-05-29. ... including 1993 Miss Cobb Joanne Grogan Feldman, a Fox 5 Atlanta meteorologist... Fourth time's the charm for Cobb's queen
  38. "Valdosta State grad is Miss Georgia". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, GA: Cox Enterprises. June 29, 1986. Marlesa Ball, Miss Southeast Georgia, who twice brought down the house with a vocal rendition of "Amazing Grace," was crowned 1986 Miss Georgia Saturday night. Ms. Ball, a licensed pilot and holder of a degree in music from Valdosta State College, said, "I discovered that I fly higher when I sing than when I'm in a plane."
  39. "Miss Columbus winner of Miss Georgia pageant". Rome News-Tribune. Rome, GA: News Publishing Company. June 23, 1985. p. 1-A. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  40. "1942 Candidates". Miss America. 17 July 2018.
  41. "1940 Candidates". Miss America. 17 July 2018.
  42. "Miss America Timeline: 1901–1950". PBS.
  43. "1933 Candidates". Miss America. 28 June 2018.
  44. "1925 Candidates". Miss America. 28 June 2018.
  45. "1926 Candidates". Miss America. 28 June 2018.
  46. "1927 Candidates". Miss America. 28 June 2018.
  47. Schnitzspahn, Karen (September 8, 1997). "There She Was – Miss Long Branch". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com. ...talent contest that was established in 1935.
  48. "Golden Apple Is Sought by Scores". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. September 6, 1923. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. "Miss Frances Gurr Is Macon's Pageant Queen". The Athens Daily Herald. Athens, Georgia. August 28, 1922. p. 3 – via Digital Library of Georgia.
  50. "1921 Candidates". Miss America. 28 June 2018.
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