When the host announced Annie Swan as the new Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen, she nearly collapsed in sobs.
The 16-year-old tap dancer lurched forward and swayed to the side, caught by a fellow pageant contestant. She regained her balance and walked forward, crying happy tears as the crown was placed on her head by outgoing titleholder Kelsey Hollis.
Swan won the pageant, the teen companion to Miss Georgia, after taking home preliminary awards for talent and on-stage question and evening gown. She was the only girl among 45 contestants to win the awards for both categories.
Miss Georgia 2017: Meet the metro Atlanta women vying for the crown
Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen 2017: Meet metro Atlanta contestants
Her tap dancing routine to “Hit the Road, Jack” displayed an impressive skill level and tons of personality. In her on-stage question, she discussed her grandfather’s struggle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and how it inspired her to raise money for further medical research.
Swan, of Wadley, competed as Miss International City’s Outstanding Teen.
The remainder of the top five in the pageant were:
- Miss Starr's Mill's Outstanding Teen Cara Clements, 17, of Fayetteville, first runner-up
- Miss Greater Atlanta's Outstanding Teen Rory Pan, 15, of Johns Creek, second runner-up
- Miss Coastal Empire's Outstanding Teen Carley Vogel, 16, of Acworth, third runner-up
- Miss Capital City's Outstanding Teen Alaylla Watkins, 16, of Wadley, fourth runner-up
Miss Georgia finals will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday. You can watch the pageant online for free courtesy of WRBL-TV, a local news station in Columbus. Find out how to watch.
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