Tuesday preliminary winners in Miss Georgia Pageant

Miss Southeast Georgia Sarah DeLoach and Miss Historic Southern Plains Mackenzie Marable were named preliminary winners in Lifestyle and Fitness categories during the 72nd annual Miss Georgia Pageant Tuesday night at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.

Miss Golden Isles Alyssa Beasley was named a preliminary winner in the talent category. She performed a lyrical dance.

Ninety-eight women from across the state are competing for academic scholarship and the titles of 2016 Miss Georgia and 2016 Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen. The preliminary competitions included Lifestyle and Fitness, Talent and Evening Wear. Contestants were also judged in private interviews earlier in the week.

Miss Southeast Georgia’s Outstanding Teen Alaylla Watkins was named a preliminary winner in Evening Wear and On-stage Question. Miss Starr Mill’s Outstanding Teen Caroline Poole was named a preliminary talent winner. She performed a vocal selection.

Preliminary competition will continue through Thursday. The final nights of competition will be held Friday when the 2016 Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen will be crowned and Saturday when 2016 Miss Georgia will be crowned. The winners will represent Georgia at the Miss America Pageant held in Atlantic City, N.J., in September and at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition held in Orlando, Fla., in August.

The Miss American Organization is the largest scholarship provider for young women, making available more than $45 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance each year.

Tickets may be purchased at www.tickets.com or at the RiverCenter Box Office at (706) 256-3612 or www.rivercenter.org.

This story was originally published June 14, 2016 at 11:50 PM with the headline "Tuesday preliminary winners in Miss Georgia Pageant."