Warner Robins celebrates the return of Miss Georgia

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Kelsey Hollis was crowned on June 18 earlier this year, becoming the third Black woman to receive the honor in the competition’s history. She received her title and an award in the form of a $20,000 scholarship. On Sunday, July 31, Hollis will return to Warner Robins for a homecoming celebration in her honor, hosted by the City of Warner Robins.

The Journal spoke with Felicia Wright, Mayor LaRhonda Patrick’s executive assistant, for the details.

“This is something that Mayor Patrick came up with to welcome Kelsey back home,” Wright said. “Even though she did not compete in the

competition with the girls from Warner Robins, she is a native of Warner Robins.

“We wanted to do something to let her know that we appreciate her because she’s still representing our hometown. We wanted to do something to show Kelsey we appreciate her and recognize her for all her out standing achievements.”

The city welcomes “all neighbors and city residents” to take part in welcoming Hollis home. The event will feature a Meet and Greet with Miss Georgia, a photo booth and the opportunity for autographed photos.

When The Journal spoke to Kelsey Hollis herself, she said she was excited to be returning home and honored by the city’s celebration.

“It’s an honor,” Hollis said. “I grew up in Warner Robins, so to have the support backing me behind this whole journey has been really special. I haven’t had the chance to formally meet the mayor yet so the fact that she’s been so open to being a part of this with me and being supportive is really special as well. I’m feeling really honored and blessed.”

Hollis has been attending the University of Tennessee, in Knoxville, since 2018. She is returning to Middle Georgia for the next year and will compete for Miss America in December.

In the nine years that Hollis has competed in pageants, she has been developing a social impact initiative. “Autism Acceptance: A Platform for Chang” has been a focal point of Hollis.

“My older brother has autism, and he was diagnosed at a really young age,” Hollis said. “For me, it kind of became a part of our normal within our family, something that I grew up with, so I didn’t really understand that other people don’t have the knowledge that necessary to create cohesive environments for people who lay upon the spectrum until I got older.

“That’s what prompted me to form my social impact initiative from the very beginning. It’s been monumental, special. There have been a couple times talking to my brother and asking him certain questions about how he feels and what he feels, in terms of what changes need to be made. It’s been an interesting process, but hopefully it’s been helpful to those who have autism.”

Hollis’ program works to teach acceptance, advocacy and awareness. According to her, Warner Robins has been receptive to the message and has supported the initiative.

Hollis is a Warner Robins native. She was shaped by her family and by the community —teachers, mentors, fellow students and friends — that surrounded her. To Hollis, Warner Robins has always been just that: community.

“I always tell people that Warner Robins is one of those places that you really cannot go anywhere without seeing someone that you know,” Hollis said. “Being away at school that’s one thing I actually come to appreciate about home, how close-knit everyone is. I think the support we have from such a young age really gives us the upper hand in feeling confident in the things we want to accomplish when we get older, because we know in some way, shape or form that the people who have helped to shape us into who we are going to be right there, rooting for us.”

As the third Black woman ever to receive the title of Miss Georgia, and the first since 2008, Hollis hopes she can show girls from Warner Robins, and all over the state, “it doesn’t matter what you look like, it doesn’t matter where you come from, I wouldn’t even say that it matters the type of person you are in terms of what you like — I think it comes down to be driven and determined to accomplish the things you’ve set your mind to, and to know that God has put you in a place to do so.”

Hollis’ homecoming will be celebrated Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Cary W. Martin Conference Center in the Houston Health Pavilion.

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