34 incredible women from all over Georgia competed for the title of Miss Georgia USA 2022 on February 25-26th. Congratulations to all of the contestants on such a fantastic showing. Let me tell you, these ladies did not come to play!
Preliminary Standouts
The Onstage Preliminary competition consists of the Swimsuit and Evening Gown competitions. Together, they make up a combined total of 2/3 of each contestant’s overall score. The following contestants are those who stood out to me in Swimsuit and/or Evening Gown.
Khadidiatou Ndir
Rachel Russaw
Jordan Meachum
Carlecia Hill
Vanessa Van Dyke
EmmaKate Few
Aja Murray
Alexis Williams
Kaitlin Bryant
Britain Bennett
Robin Burnett
Nya Syndab
Personal Favorites
But there are even contestants who stood out from the Standouts. The following five are my Personal Favorites. Honestly, my jaw literally dropped when these contestants stepped onto the stage.
Miss Classic South USA 2022
Rachel Russaw
Absolutely beautiful. I loved her styling in both competitions.
Miss Fulton County USA 2022
Vanessa Van Dyke
She has a beautifully light walk that’s fierce in it’s own right. Definitely reminds me of Miss Universe Curaçao 2018!
Miss Fairburn USA 2022
Carlecia Hill
Yes, yes, yes! The hair, the gown, the styling, the walk. She is everything.
Miss North Atlanta USA 2022
Kaitlin Bryant
Fierce in Swimsuit. Lovely in Evening Gown. Enough said.
Miss Smyrna USA 2022
Britain Bennett
There’s only one word to describe her: Ready.
Top 15 Semifinalists
After the contestants compete in Interview, Swimsuit, and Evening Gown, the top semifinalists advance to the next round. The Top 15 semifinalists includes the People’s Choice winner. Next, the semifinalists recompete in Swimsuit and Evening Gown before the field is narrowed down to five contestants.
- GA Educator
- Smyrna
- Heart of GA
- Glynn County
- Cobb County
- South Atlanta
- Atlanta
- Fulton County
- Sandy Springs
- Chamblee
- Coastal GA
- Classic South
- Cherokee County
- Georgia South
- North Atlanta
Top 5 Onstage Question
The Onstage Question is the final area of competition in a pageant. It tests a contestant’s public speaking skills and ability to think on her feet. Because of this, Onstage Question can make or break a contestant. It doesn’t help that the unpredictable question is accompanied by other stressful aspects like a live audience and a 30-second time limit.
This is how the Top 5 contestants did.
Miss Fulton County USA 2022
Vanessa Van Dyke
Q: What is a recent experience you’ve had that is brought out the best in you?
Vanessa spoke about how she was looking forward to advocating against natural hair discrimination with her state representatives next month.
Miss Cobb County USA 2022
Jordan Meachum
Q: What is your definition of equality?
Jordan spoke about how equality means everyone treats each other with respect. In order to move forward in our polarized country, we need to see each other as equals.
Miss Coastal GA USA 2022
Holly Haynes
Q: What life lesson did you have to experience for yourself before you understood it?
Holly spoke about learning how she is enough. She was insecure and bullied as a child. She started a program to teach the next generation that they are enough too.
Miss GA South USA 2022
EmmaKate Few
Q: If you could fix one problem that today’s young women face, what would it be?
EmmaKate spoke about how she would fix the economic crisis post-pandemic. She would do this by encouraging young people to find their passions through education reform.
Miss Smyrna USA 2022
Britain Bennett
Q: What is something that each of us could do to encourage unity in the world?
Britain spoke about how we should redefine success. To her, success is about the positive impact that you have on others. As Miss Georgia USA, she would encourage others to be kind people who makes others feel special.
Miss Coastal GA, Holly Haynes is going to Miss USA 2022!
Finally, it was time for the emcee to announce the final placements of our top five contestants. The new Miss Georgia USA 2022 will represent her state at the next Miss USA competition. Together, her and her Miss Georgia Teen USA sister, Courtney Smith, will utilize the help of sponsors and the Greenwood Productions team to make the most of their year.
Winner, Miss Georgia USA 2022: Holly Haynes, Coastal GA
1st Runner-Up: Fulton County
2nd Runner-Up: Cobb County
3rd Runner-Up: GA South
4th Runner-Up: Smyrna
Miss Congeniality: North Atlanta
Miss Photogenic: Classic South
People’s Choice: Chamblee