Derrek Vaughn | The Valdosta Daily TimesValdosta State University distinguished alum and former Miss Georgia, Amanda Kozak Miliner addresses graduates Saturday at the Valdosta State University 222nd commencement ceremony.

VALDOSTA – Approximately 1,400 students said farewell to Valdosta State University at the 222nd commencement ceremonies last week.

Graduation ceremonies were held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9, 10, at VSU.

Ceremonies Friday recognized students in VSU’s graduate school and in the nursing school. Saturday ceremonies honored Air Force ROTC Detachment 172 and undergraduates.

At Saturday evening’s ceremony for the undergraduates, Amanda Kozak Miliner served as guest speaker.

Miliner graduated manga cum laude from VSU in 2006 and was crowned Miss Georgia the same year. She became second-runner up in the 2007 Miss America pageant and was named Miss Georgia USA, making her the first Georgian to hold both Miss America and Miss USA titles.

“It’s fun to come back to campus,” Miliner said. “I was with a group of girlfriends reminiscing about our time here. Overall, it was wonderful to be at VSU.”

She discussed how VSU gave her the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher but she shared how what others thought caused her to stray from her dreams.

“You have to live your own life. You’d be amazed how much people can influence your life,” Miliner said. “When I traveled around the state as Miss Georgia and people would ask what are you going to do now? When I told them I planned to teach, you could visibly see people deflate. They told me there was so much more I could do. I started thinking maybe I made a mistake.”

Miliner set off on a journey of self discovery to find the “something better” everyone kept discussing. She flew overseas to do non-profit work and tried her hand at acting. However, nothing seemed to fit, so she returned to her roots.

She was hired as a teacher a week after applying, knowing that was where she was meant to be.

Miliner is an instructional coach at Miller Elementary School in Warner Robins and has been named 2013 Miller Elementary Teacher of the Year, 2014 Houston County Teacher of the Year and 2015 Georgia Teacher of the Year. VSU also inducted her into the Educators Hall of Fame and selected her as graduate of the last decade.

 

Desiree Carver is Lifestyles Editor at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229) 375-5777.