Miss Georgia gives up title hours after winning it

Few were surprised when Kristina Higgins claimed the crown Saturday night as the new Miss Georgia. It was her third try at the title, after all, and she was second runner-up the year before.

But it was quite a shock when the 24-year-old special education instructor from Dacula told pageant officials she'd rather teach.

"She was one of the girls to beat," said Emily Cook, runner-up to Higgins. "I really thought she deserved it."

Sunday morning, with but one formality remaining before she officially became Miss Georgia 2009, Higgins opted not to sign the contract with the pageant. Within minutes, Cook was called, and the reigning Miss Cobb County assumed the crown and sash wearing shorts and a T-shirt later that afternoon.

And yes, she signed on the dotted line.

Higgins hasn't returned calls seeking comment, but Gwinnett County Schools spokeswoman Sloan Roach confirmed the former substitute was recently hired as a special education teacher at Snellville Middle School. New teachers report for orientation in July. Higgins said in a statement earlier that her teaching duties would keep her from fulfilling her Miss Georgia duties.

Higgins' brother said Monday the family stands by her decision.

"I will support her, whatever she wants to do," said Bradley Higgins, 16, who was en route to football practice at Hebron Christian Academy.

"I'm just proud of her."

Cook said the turnabout was a matter of timing.

"I think it worked out for both of us," said Cook, who was driving home to Marietta with her mother Sunday when she got the call. "I was sound asleep."

Unlike Higgins, Cook was a relative rookie, competing in a statewide pageant for the first time Saturday.