A display of poise, talent and ambition took place at the recent Miss Georgia pageant, featuring three current students and one alumna from the University of West Georgia.

The inaugural Miss University of West Georgia, Kenna Kay, was crowned in February and traveled to Columbus to compete for the title of Miss Georgia alongside three of her fellow Wolves.

“My journey started as a girl who had never competed in a pageant before. I was fortunate enough to win Miss UWGand compete in the Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition,” said Kay. “I met the most incredible women and made some lifelong friends along the way. I can definitely say I left Columbus, Georgia, a better version of myself.”

Other competitors, like UWG alumna Taylor Burrell ’20 ’22, have been competing for the title of Miss Georgia for years. 

“I began competing at the age of 9 years old after my sister and mom both competed in the Miss America Organization,” explained Burrell. “This year was quite special as I got to compete as Miss West Georgia and ended the competition in the top five!” 

Kay and Burrell were also joined in the competition by UWG students Lexi Atkins (Miss Historic Gwinnett) and Jasminia Walker (Miss Southern Rivers), with Atkins placing in the Top 15 of the state competition.

Preparing for competitions like Miss Georgia is a challenging task, according to Kay and Burrell. It takes months of preparation and training to the level of excellence required to stand out. 

“Preparation consisted of countless hours of commitment to staying educated on current events, becoming more well-rounded and well-spoken, as well as preparing for interviews, and practicing my singing talent,” said Burrell. “So much more goes into preparation than most people realize. It is an everyday commitment.” 

Participating in the Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition encourages contestants to discover their inner strength and determination. Kay explained the competition is a stepping stone for personal growth and empowerment.

“I was pushed out of my comfort zone during this competition in the best way,” recalled Kay. “I have grown so much as an individual from this experience that I wouldn’t have had if I wasn’t a student at UWG. I feel more confident in my interview and public speaking abilities, and I can confidently say I can walk in heels while displaying grace, beauty, style and poise.”

The transformative power of this competition extends far beyond the glitz and glamor of the stage. For Burrell, the experience has been life-changing.  

“Being involved in the Miss Georgia pageant has pushed me to be the very best I can be in all facets of life,” said Burrell, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UWG in biology. “Competing for this title has equipped me with the ability to speak publicly, advocate for causes important to me and market my abilities. These skills will carry me throughout the rest of my professional and personal life.” 

The next Miss UWG competition will take place this fall and will be hosted on campus by the Center for Student Involvement and Inclusion. Information on how to apply for the competition is forthcoming.