THE 74TH ANNUAL MISS GEORGIA PAGEANT WILL TAKE PLACE JUNE 12TH THROUGH THE 16TH IN COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, AND THREE OF SUWANEE’S OWN WILL BE COMPETING FOR THE TITLE.
Interview By: Lizzy Kidney | Photos by Carla Hoff
Alexa Gilomen, Holly Haynes, and Taylor Hoff are all North Gwinnett High School Graduates whose families are still living in Suwanee. We had the chance to talk to them about their pageant history, how they are preparing, and what winning Miss Georgia would mean for them.
Alexa Gilomen
MISS HISTORIC BUFORD 
Q: How long have you been competing in pageants? What got you involved in pageants in the first place?
A: I’ve been competing in the Miss America Organization for a little over a year. I went to Miss Georgia as Miss Fulton County last year, and I’m going this year as Miss Historic Buford! I really just wanted to get on stage and perform again! I have been singing my entire life and hadn’t done much of it in college, so I saw this as an outlet to begin doing what I love again.
Q: If you were to be crowned Miss Georgia, what would that mean to you and what would you hope to accomplish?
A: The title of Miss Georgia would mean more than anything to me. As Miss Georgia, I would be able to promote Children’s Miracle Network, as well as my own personal platform, Music Matters: Educating and Empowering Through Music. When I was an infant, I was born with a birth defect that I would have died from, had it not been for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. As Miss Georgia, It would be very special for me to be able to visit the children in Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals around the state and tell them my story, hopefully bringing them confidence and peace.
Q: How has holding the title as Miss Historic Buford helped you prepare for Miss Georgia?
A: I grew up in Suwanee and spent a lot of time in Buford, so I am so honored to hold this title! This year, my board has hosted several mock interviews and round table discussions, so I feel I am better prepared for the interview portion. I always know someone will be there to help me prepare, whether it’s paperwork help or talent help, our board does it all! This franchise also has very generous sponsors that keep us looking and feeling our best all year round – we are very blessed!
Holly Haynes
MISS UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
Q:What has holding the title as Miss University of Georgia meant to you?
A: This “classic city” and the people in it have my heart, and it is such a joy that I am able to represent the Bulldawg Nation this summer at Miss Georgia. I wanted to attend UGA since I was four years old, and this title has become a kind of metaphor of my journey within the Miss America Organization. It was my first pageant I competed in this system and, after winning it on my third try, it has shown just how much I’ve grown. It has taught me that I am more capable than I used to give myself credit for. My hard work has paid off, but there is always more to be done.
Q:If you were to be crowned Miss Georgia, what would that mean to you and what would you hope to accomplish?
A: If I am crowned in June as the next Miss Georgia, I think it would be a very emotional experience for me because it would mean that the culmination of my hard work over the years has paid off. As Miss Georgia, my ultimate goal is to serve people selflessly and genuinely. I want young girls to look up to me as a leader and a role model: someone who cares about her education, her community, and pursuing her passions.
Taylor Hoff
MISS HARRIS COUNTY 
Q: What is it like competing with your friends?
A: I am truly honored to be standing beside 53 beautiful, talented, intelligent, supportive, and well-spoken young women. I love that three Suwanee natives are competing for the title of Miss Georgia. Only one girl will walk away with the crown, but even if you are not crowned, you still win because of the friendships that come from competing at Miss Georgia. I am so excited to experience this with two of my closest, supportive friends, Alexa and Holly.
Q:What is your process like as you prepare for the Miss Georgia competition?
A: I am trusting in God’s plan for me throughout this entire experience. I am working to improve myself in every category as I am a perfectionist. Daily trips to the gym and dance studio and countless mock interviews are all definite musts for me in my preparation for that stage. When it comes to events and service, I have been working very hard to reach my $1,000 donation goal for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and growing my platform, Building Stronger and Smarter Girls, where I work with Girl Scout Troops in my community. It is a lot of work and time, but I would not have it any other way!
Q: If you were to be crowned Miss Georgia, what would that mean to you and what would you hope to accomplish?
A: I will be able to speak about my platform all across the state, work with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, something close to my heart, and have the opportunity to represent Georgia at the Miss America Pageant. This is just the beginning of a huge journey in my life I am so ready to begin and June cannot come fast enough!
