This past Summer at the Miss Georgia pageant I had the wonderful opportunity in meeting Betty Cantrell. In the pageant world you often here the word “newbie.” Betty was “newbie” at Miss Georgia this year, but she had the confidence in herself to show everyone what she was made of. With great results with second runner up at Miss Georgia this year, she is preparing her next step in going back as Miss Warner Robins.

Title: Miss Warner Robins
Age: 20
Talent:  Vocal: opera/musical theatre
School: Mercer University-music education major with emphasis on vocal performance.

What made you decide to compete in your first pageant? Some of the Miss Warner Robins board knew my family and told them last year that I should consider doing pageants. I had never actually thought about it, because I just didn’t think I was a pageant girl. I decided to compete in the Miss Warner Robins Pageant last year and had absolutely no clue what I was doing, but I knew that I loved it and wanted to compete again.

What was one fear you had that has now vanish for you when you started pageants? One fear that I had was that people involved with “pageant world” would try to change me and try to make me be “pageant party”. This fear had completely disappeared because I realized that no one can change who you are as long as YOU know who you are.

What’s the best advice you could give a newbie when it comes to interview? When it comes to interview, the most important advice is to answer every question honestly and in a way that is staying true to your beliefs. Don’t try to please the judges by lying about how you really feel about a certain topic; those judges need to see who you really are, and they want someone opinionated.

Out of the pageant world, what is a cool hobby others would find interesting that you do? One of my hobbies is writing songs! I never show anyone my songs but when something comes to me, I love to write it down and try to put piano chords to it!

Favorite food to eat? My favorite food is steak!!

Favorite concert you have attended? My favorite concert is definitely the Carrie Underwood concert I went to with my mom a couple years ago! We had front row seats!

One thing you wished you would have known before you first trip to Miss GA? I actually felt very prepared for Miss GA this year. Although I do wish someone had informed me that it is possible to fall in love with an organization, as I did with the Miss America organization. I absolutely can’t wait to go back next year.

Accomplishments in the pageant world: Since last year was my first year competing I’ve only had one other title besides my current one. I was Miss Presidential Pathways last year! I have won talent in preliminary pageants 4 times and I’ve won swimsuit 2 times. At Miss Georgia I was second runner up and overall talent winner!

Last Saturday, I had the wonderful opportunity of emceeing my first Miss America preliminary. I will tell you it was so strange to be on the other end of the pageant as oppose to actually competing in it. But, I had the opportunity to see the name of the winners before it was announced (since I was the emcee). I had the opportunity to be the first to say, and your “Miss Middle West Georgia 2015 is….. Austin Carruth.” I have had the wonderful opportunity of knowing Austin the past few years we have both been competing in pageants. I have seen her grow in a true competitor, but also someone who has stayed true to herself. Now, it’s time for you to have a glimpse of the amazing Austin that I know.

Title: Miss Middle West Georgia
Age: 21
Talent: Vocal
School: Columbus State University
Major/Minor: Mass Media/Business
Platform: Conquering the Future One Day at a Time: CURE Childhood Cancer

What made you decide to compete in your first pageant?
I competed in my first pageant at 12 because I wanted to be like my mom. I always saw pictures of her in beautiful pageant gowns all over my Nana’s house, but wondered why I had never competed in a pageant. So with a lot of begging, she finally let me compete.

What was one fear you had when you began pageants that has now vanished?
The fear of being watched! As odd as it may sound, it terrified me to have the audience staring at me making their own criticisms. I knew the judges were doing just that, but it truly freaked me out to think about the audience! I’ve come well past that fear now. The stage is a comfortable place for me regardless of the judgements being made. I am always myself, so it doesn’t matter what others feel or say.

What’s the best advice you could give a newbie when it comes to interview?
Don’t give the answer you think the judges are looking for! While it may be easy to fall into the trap of conforming, that is not what they want. Be yourself, there’s only one you!

Out of the pageant world, what is a cool hobby that others would find interesting that you do?
I love to write! Whether it be journals, blogs, poetry, or songs, it really helps me clear my mind.

Favorite food to eat?
Definitely chicken!

Favorite concert you have attended?
The Soundtrack of Your Summer Tour! It was a huge concert in St. Augustine, part of a national tour, featuring Boys Like Girls, The Maine, Good Charlotte, and Metro Station! Easily, one of the best nights of my life!

One thing you wish you would have known before your first trip to Miss Georgia?
I would say how physically demanding the week is, but I was warned of the tiring week far in advance. I wish I would have known to bring a “treat” for after competing in swimsuit! You work so hard to get to that moment, but when it’s over you want something sweet to eat. I didn’t bring ANY snacks with me that night, so myself and Heather Burgess shared a bag of her Goldfish instead! I came prepared this past year!

Accomplishments in the pageant world:
I was just crowned Miss Middle West Georgia 2015, so I’m still on cloud 9! I competed in one other preliminary this season, Miss Macon, and won swimsuit (for the first time in my life — pretty huge), talent, the Neva Jane Langley Memorial Award, and 1st runner-up. I am a former Miss Emanuel County (2014) and Miss East Georgia State College (2013)!

Anything extra I want the world to know?
With the help of my Mom and Emanuel County Institute (my brother’s school), we will be hosting the 2nd Annual Gold Out Game for CURE on October 10th! We will be painting faces/nails gold, selling lemonade, selling t-shirts, and 10% of concessions that night will be donated to the cause! Donations are welcome even if you cannot make the game! All proceeds will benefit CURE Childhood Cancer and the family of Ansley Moxley, a local girl who is currently fighting this disease. If you’d like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me below or on Facebook!

As a reminder, blogs will be posted for pageant goers to get to know your current title holders in the state of Georgia. I am excited that my first feature spotlight is Miss Atlanta, Courtney Hinesley. Enjoy getting to know Courtney.

Title: Miss Atlanta 2015

Age: 19

Talent: Inspirational ballad like songs

School with major: Kennesaw State University where I am a Communications major.

Platform: Instilling Confidence in our Youth

What made you decide to compete in your first pageant? I competed in my first pageant when I was about 2 years old because I wanted to be just like my older sister.

What was one fear you had that has now vanish for you when you started pageants? I used to be very afraid of public speaking, especially in front of big crowds, but now it’s like a second nature to me. I’ve actually grown to love it, and volunteer to speak first whenever I can!

What’s the best advice you could give a newbie when it comes to interview? The best advice I could give to a newbie when it comes to interview is just truly be yourself, and show your personality and who you are. No judge wants to see a girl that is pretending to be someone she’s not. We were all born with unique talents, strengths, and weaknesses and it’s important that you showcase all parts of you to that panel of judges. Just be real, and relaxed and I promise you will go far.

Out of the pageant world, what is a cool hobby others would find interesting that you do? I enjoy running half marathons.

Favorite food to eat? My favorite food is pizza!

Favorite concert you have attended? My favorite concert that I’ve ever been to was the Reba McEntire concert. I know most people probably wouldn’t expect that, but she is my idol, and practically the coolest red head around!

One thing you wished you would have known before you first trip to Miss GA? When I went to Miss Georgia for the first time I was still a senior in high school, so you could say that I was very nervous and a little intimidated. The one thing that I wish I would have known before I went was to just truly live in the moment, and not just concentrate on the outcome. As I’ve learned now, you perform better when your just truly enjoying the experience because being on the Miss Georgia stage is truly an honor within itself.

Accomplishments in the pageant world: former titles and awards etc? I was In the Top Ten in Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen, I won the Preliminary swimsuit award my first year at Miss Georgia, and this past year at Miss Georgia I won the non-finalist interview award. I have held the titles of Miss Conyers Outstanding Teen, Miss North Georgia Mountains Outstanding Teen, Miss Hummingbird, Miss Gwinnett County, and now the current Miss Atlanta! I was also the silver level recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh award.

Any extra you want the world to know? I have just recently partnered with the CMN Hospital here in Atlanta to be able to visit with the kids once a month. I will be throwing them all a themed party on October 7th, and I’m trying to collect stuffed animals for all the children. If you’re interested in donating please contact me! (You can leave a comment below) Help me bring a smile to these beautiful faces.

Well, if you have not met me yet, this title will only exist for just one more month. But, I will always be me, and grateful for the many years that I was involved in the Miss America pageant. The title of this site is FOUR POINTS. It’s to remind everyone on how the Miss America system is unique because the four points on the crown represent: Style, Scholarship, Service, and Success. However, this can apply to any pageant system not just the Miss America system. Four points is also special to me because I think about the four points on the cross. In reality, the time on this Earth is short, and the biggest thing to learn is the importance of who you are and how you can make a difference in this world.

I have had several people show interest in wanting to get involved in pageants, but not really sure where to start. The biggest obstacle is making that commitment to sign up for your first preliminary pageant. It’s a learning experience, and I can share some of the experiences I have had in a later blog. But, for now I want this to be a place where you can come for questions, and really just to gain valuable resources. I do offer interview training, but most importantly I want to capture the great things that girls all across this state and nation are doing.

We will feature special blog posts on current title holders who are preparing for Miss Georgia. You will also see that behind the crown and the glitz, these are all girls who are just finding how they can use their strength and pageants as a platform to make a difference in their community. I hope you enjoy this blog, and know that you can also follow me on my personal blog at HayleyHenderson.org.

Enjoy!

Love,
Hayley Henderson