Jennifer Tanner
COLUMBUS — It was September when Amanda Kozak accepted the crown and title of Miss Valdosta, promising to represent the city with grace and poise in a competition to determine the brightest, most beautiful woman in the state — Miss Georgia.
She accepted the task of preparing for the scholarship pageant willingly and her preparation showed last week as she took home first place in preliminary competitions in both swimsuit and evening gown categories.
Perhaps it was her two previous Miss Georgia appearances that set her ahead of the other 44 girls, or it could be her passion for the program and for her platform that has motivated her to be the best Valdosta has to offer.
As she stood in front of the crowd Saturday night, all her hard work and dedication finally brought her the coveted crown of Miss Georgia. The honor is not one to be taken lightly, as Kozak will now travel to compete with other women in this year’s Miss America competition.
As she begins this new journey, she will not step forward alone. She will have the hopes, prayers and support of the people of Valdosta.
Mayor John Fretti was in attendance Saturday night as Kozak competed. He said he watched with emotion as supporters from other cities progressively began to support Kozak as their own representatives reached the end of their competition and were not chosen to go further.
“To feel that in the crowd and see the support other cities began to show was very moving,” he said. “I’m extremely proud of Amanda. She represents Valdosta extremely well with beauty, poise and intelligence. We are pleased to have her represent the entire state in the Miss America Pageant and I believe it is important for the (people of Valdosta) to support her and this program.”
“I can’t believe I’m here representing the state that is not my hometown, but I’m glad to be in Georgia,” said the Missouri native who has been living in Georgia 12 years. Kozak was the first runner-up in last year’s Miss Georgia pageant.
Kozak receives a $15,000 scholarship.
The first runner-up was Kellie Bradshaw, Miss Capital City, and the second runner-up was Miss Gwinnett County, Erina Kay Patterson.
Devan Fleming, Miss Onion Capital, was the third runner-up and fourth runner-up went to Caitlyn Andrews, Miss Southeast Georgia.
Look for more information about Amanda Kozak and the Miss America scholarship program in upcoming issues of The Valdosta Daily Times.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
