On their way to Miss Georgia

For five young ladies, the crunch is about to begin. They only have the reigning Miss America to look at for a gold standard.

Starting June 12 in Columbus, a host of such young ladies will converge looking to win one of two crowns: Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen. The crownings will be held June 17-18, but that’s only the conclusion of a whole week of preliminary judging and rehearsing all leading up to see who – the new Miss Georgia, that is – can earn a ticket to Atlantic City in September and perhaps succeed last year’s winner as Miss America.

The Miss Warner Robins Scholarship Organization is sponsoring five contestants, two for Miss Georgia and three for Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen. Those five were at the Wellston Center Sunday for an official send-off where they displayed their wardrobes for all the competitions from talent to fitness to on-stage question. In attendance were their families, the Miss Warner Robins board and the reigning Warner Robins Princess Pageant winners.

In late July 2015, Tess Hammock of Forsyth won the title of Miss Warner Robins 2016. It was a night where Betty Cantrell, the winner one year before, brought her newly won Miss Georgia crown to say goodbye for her trip to the Miss America Pageant. Also that night, Caroline Burnette of Statesboro won the crown of Miss International City 2016.

That wasn’t all, for Houston County High School student Grace Thomas was named Miss Warner Robins Outstanding Teen 2016 and Jefferson County’s Mandolyn Howard won Miss International City Outstanding Teen 2016.

The fifth contestant is a veteran at the state level. Kelsey Hollis entered last year’s Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen as Miss Warner Robins Outstanding Teen. Earlier this year, the Miss Warner Robins board bestowed upon the rising high school senior the title of Miss Houston County Outstanding Teen 2016, and Hollis will return to the state pageant, where she was the 2015 preliminary talent winner.

TESS HAMMOCK

The successor to the first crown won by Betty Cantrell, Tess Hammock is no stranger to the big stage … if one considers Congress in Washington, D.C. a big stage. Maybe she could be the first one to take the famous tiara into outer space.

“It has definitely changed my life,” said the reigning Miss Warner Robins. “I have been able to work on my platform a lot, which is Positive Youth Development. I’ve been able to impact the young people of Middle Georgia, and I’ve been changed by them.”

Hammock’s introduction to the service world came through 4-H. She is on the national board of trustees, representing six million active 4-Hers in the U.S.

“Translating from that arena to the Miss America stage, it’s much broader than 4-H,” said Hammock. “I’m very proud of the work I’ve done through 4-H. It was a great way to learn leadership skills, critical thinking.

“Now, I want to include every single youth organization in my platform. I believe we can do that. There are 1.1 million young people just in this state. That’s 1.1 million new ideas and new opportunities for advancement in our society. If we can develop just those 1.1 million in the state, imagine what we can do.”

Hammock actually lived and worked in the nation’s capitol for three months, her work being on Capitol Hill. She attends the University of Georgia heading towards her “super” senior year, and she would like upon graduation to obtain work in state government relations in Atlanta.

“Being in D.C. really sparked my passion for government work,” said Hammock.

How about actually holding office?

“If I had a dollar for every time somebody asked me that, I would have enough to fund my campaign,” she said. “If I ever felt I could help fill a need or do good for my community, than absolutely I would.”

Hammock also found out that preparing for Miss Georgia is a year-long process, and like Cantrell she was not one who did pageants growing up. She said she feels God has a place for her – not that she will for certain win in Columbus – that this was something for which she should strive at this point in her life.

“Physically, I’ve lost 80 pounds,” said Hammock. “Which is definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But it has been the best. I’m going to be able to tell the judges about that.

“I love singing and performing. It’s a magical time to be on stage. With my platform, that has been wonderful to expand and be able to work with programs like Boys & Girls Clubs, Great Promise Partnership and YMCA.

“As soon as that crown gets put on your head, it’s so not about you. It becomes about the people you meet every day.”

In her own case, Hammock said meeting Miss Georgia 2014 Maggie Bridges changed her life, and she was recently able to tell her that.

“I love NASA. I love space,” said Hammock. “One of the best stories that came out of NASA was that if a rocket destined for the moon was off three degrees, by the time it was supposed to have reached the moon, it will be off 40,000 miles.

“That five-minute interaction with Maggie, my life went in a completely different trajectory.”

But from working with an astronaut at National Youth Science Day in D.C., she re-thought any plans of venturing into space herself. That’s how much respect she has for those in NASA.

“Being Miss Warner Robins is a tremendous honor,” she said. “Middle Georgia is my home, and I spent a great deal of time as a child in Warner Robins. My father owns businesses here. It’s an amazing community. We understand that feeling of family.”

CAROLINE BURNETTE

Alzheimer’s Awareness is the platform for Burnette, who was another one of those pageant novices prior to last year. But she got involved with the Miss America organization because of the service element.

“I’ve always been super community service involved,” said Burnette, a student at Georgia Southern University majoring in child and family development. “(As Miss International City) I’ve gone to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. I spent more time with (the Alzheimer’s Association). The people I’ve met … it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

One of Burnette’s grandmothers suffered from Alzheimer’s for six years, and she said that put her whole family involved in the association. She said her father organized a benefit softball tournament in Statesboro, plus they have put together a walk and a concert as ways to raise funds and awareness.

“I work at an assisted living facility,” said Burnette. “Once a week I go volunteer there. I’ve had so many opportunities through (Miss International City) to put my name out there and spend more time with patients. It’s nice to actually spend time with the patients.”

Burnette only did one other pageant when she was in high school, and it was her mother who talked her into it as a way of building her self-esteem and confidence.

“I’ve learned so much about myself through the process,” said Burnette. “Through interviews you learn about what you think, what you like. It’s been amazing to delve into myself.

“I heard the (Miss Warner Robins) board was amazing. Obviously, they produced Miss America Outstanding Teen and Miss America. I was going to compete wherever I could, so I came this way.”

In looking towards Miss Georgia, Burnette works out daily. She is a point dancer, both as a performer and a teacher.

“It’s a little nerve-racking. I’m worried about the floor being slippery,” said Burnette about the talent competition. “Unfortunately I cannot eat pizza. I’ve had to stick to my chicken and veggies. It’s been a 10-month process getting ready.

“I’m not sure if I will compete again,” Burnette said about her plans post Miss Georgia (should she not win). “I think it’s one of those things where you go, see how it is. I’m sticking my toe in the water. I will continue to have a service heart that I’ve done this whole year. That what I was here for. I will continue to want to be a role model, even without the crown.”

GRACE THOMAS

Too much Houston County High athletic success won’t be good for the vocal cords. Bears beat Northside in football, she screams. Bears won state in baseball, she screams.

That’s Grace Thomas, who is just getting started at Houston County High as a rising sophomore, but is Miss Warner Robins Outstanding Teen looking to match what was done by Olivia McMillian, Miss America Outstanding Teen 2014.

“Being able to go out in the community and talk to people I might not have had the chance to talk it, it’s been wonderful,” said Thomas. “Keeping up with school and Miss Warner Robins has been interesting. I got to work with my platform, Showing Compassion Through Action. There’s so many opportunities.”

Thomas’ platform is based around fighting childhood cancer. She had two good friends pass away from cancer, and she felt God put that cause in front of her to make a difference. One of her friends had to have a leg amputated at age 7.

“I’m definitely one of the outgoing students who tries to get involved in any activity I can,” said Thomas. “I would like to be a lawyer when I grow up. I’m still deciding between colleges.”

Thomas can also count her pageant experiences on one hand. She found a new world in ones like Miss Georgia with all the preliminary competition.

“I haven’t met one person who hasn’t been extremely nice,” she said. “The Miss Georgia board, they don’t really know us that well yet, but they are so kind. It’s definitely very intimidating, but if I do the best I can do, there’s nothing else I can do. I feel I’m prepared to go on the Miss Georgia stage.”

There is an opening number, not just a march around the stage, and Thomas admitted to not being good at staying on beat. That’s in dancing, not in singing, country being her favorite. She will sing “I’ll Be Home” by Kellye Cash, Miss America 1987.

“This is my favorite thing to do,” said Thomas about possible future pageants, even if she is not named Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen. “I would definitely try again.”

She had the honor of introducing Cantrell as Miss America during one of her appearances at a local middle school. Thomas saw Cantrell at last year’s Miss Warner Robins pageant and says this is a sweet, kind lady who’s been helpful to her.

KELSEY HOLLIS

Be sure to keep TAABS on Hollis … that’s her platform actually, her own little creation. Hollis, 16, is a rising senior at Houston County High whose performance last year at Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen brought her third runner-up.

“This year my main goal was I wanted to go back and fix all the things I messed up, but my biggest goal is to be able to leave knowing I did my best regardless of the outcome,” she said. “I think I wasn’t fairly focused on doing my best. I was more worried about trying to win. I forgot to actually enjoy the experience. If anything, I want to make sure that it’s enjoyable.”

TAABS is Hollis’ cause for autism awareness. “Teaching Autism Awareness By Siblings” spells it out.

“I have an older brother, 18, who has autism,” said Hollis. “As we were growing up, I was seeing the differences in his life and the way they were affecting mine. I really wanted to broaden my platform and get people to understand they are capable of doing amazing things, but it’s difficult if we don’t give them that opportunity.

“I do a pageant in Houston County for girls with disabilities called the Miss Houston County Queen of Summer. TAABS is a sponsor for that. I’m busy all the time. My mom is one of my biggest supporters. I thank her every day. For the pageant we have buddies who volunteer from each school.”

After high school, Hollis would like to spend a year in college somewhere in Georgia and then transfer to the University of Alabama to study sports broadcast journalism. She is a football manager at Houston County High, loves sports, but could face a big change if she can win Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen.

“I’ve worked really hard to get where I am now,” said Hollis. “God has put amazing people in my life for a reason. I want to expand the Miss America system, get a lot of girls to understand how beneficial it’s been and how it can be for them.”

Hollis is debating if she will compete in the Miss division after this year, but would like to take a break if she does not win Georgia Outstanding Teen. Cantrell was her sister queen last year and would love to see her in Columbus.

MANDOLYN HOWARD

“I’ve had so much fun preparing for Miss Georgia,” said Howard. “I get to practice my dance and meet new people.”

Howard’s platform is Georgia Read to Succeed. It’s about teaching people the importance of literacy and the fundamentals of reading.

“I had the opportunity to team up with Scholastic Inc., which is a book company,” said Howard. “And the pajama program. Everyone donated pajamas, and for every pair, they paired with a book. We raised over 70 pajamas, so we got 70 books, and they were sent to homeless children throughout the United States.

“I also got to give books to every pre-K child in my county.”

Jefferson County, near Augusta, is the everybody-knows-everybody place, and they do know Howard now, a “miniature celebrity.” She just finished her 11th grade year in school. Her initial plan is to attend the University of Georgia, and she said she is one who likes planning, but also likes arguing. Therefore, it’s between lawyer and event planner.

“God has plans. He’ll figure it out,” said Howard. In the past, she competed for Miss Southeast Georgia Outstanding Teen, coming in second last year. So Howard decided, before the year ended, to try one more, and she succeeded as Miss International City Outstanding Teen.

“That was amazing. Who knew?” she said about meeting Cantrell at that pageant. “Her confidence was very intriguing to me. I learned (from her) to be myself.”

Howard said preparing for Miss Georgia’s been hard work, not just in her talent of dancing but in taking questions to be ready for anything.

“I’ve had all my grades ready so if I need to, I can graduate (early) and dedicate all my time to being Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen. At the same time, I’m still a kid. But I’m ready. If I can go around all of Georgia spreading my platform, I’m ready.”

• To send correspondence to these contestants, mail packages to #25 West Tenth Street, Columbus, GA 31901, and cards/letters to 1011 Broadway, Columbus, GA 31901.

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