How to attend 2026 Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition in Columbus
Ninety nine women from across the state will compete for academic scholarships and the titles of Miss Georgia 2026 (52 contestants) and Miss Georgia’s Teen 2026 (47 contestants) at this year’s Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition, set for June 17-20 at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus.
Contestants were introduced to the community June 12 during the “Meet the Crowns” event at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center.
Miss Georgia 2025 Audrey Kittila spoke to those contestants at the event. Then she told reporters they represent their families and they understand how to serve the unique needs of their different communities.
“Something that I’ve learned as Miss Georgia this year is that every community has a different need,” she said, “and that’s what I love about the Miss Georgia organization, is that we have girls that quite literally touch every corner of our state, and they know the unique needs of their communities, and they’re serving in that capacity.”
Her advice to this year’s contestants: Leave it all out on the stage.
“I think sometimes young women, especially in our world, hold back a little bit, maybe because they’re scared of embarrassing themselves, or they’re scared of trying something new that might not lead to the desired outcome,” she said. “But if my story is anything, it can show that when you leave it all out there, you find yourself a stronger person, and you can achieve the dream that you’re chasing to begin with.”
Miss Georgia’s Teen 2025 Reagan Moore described the event as a very special, full-circle moment.
“I remember standing here two years ago, scared about what would come in the week ahead,” Moore said, “and I’m just so glad that I took that next step, being able to come back my next year and win.”
Her advice to this year’s contestants: Stay authentic to yourself.
“Being able to have the crown on my head and still be Reagan is something that I’m very proud of because some people think that you have to change who you are in order to wear this crown, and it is exactly the opposite,” she said. “You’re a crown for a reason, and it’s because you are unique.”
Miss Columbus Allison Molnar told reporters that she, and Miss Columbus’ Teen Emmaleigh Elliott, won their titles the same day.
“Since then, we’ve been on this journey together,” Molnar said, “It’s been so fun and such a whirlwind of experiences, but I wouldn’t want to be doing it with anyone besides Emmaleigh.”
Elliott told reporters she loves having Molnar as a mentor.
“I love that I can just call her anytime and she’ll answer my questions,” Elliott said, “and she’s just an amazing mentor, and I’m so glad to have her.”
Elliott said being introduced at “Meet the Crowns” and walking out with Molnar made her title feel real.
“I feel like I’ve just been in a dream because I never expected to be here.,” Elliott said. “If I told my younger self I would be competing at Miss Georgia, she would be shocked.”
Molnar said she attended her first Miss Columbus pageant when she was 7.
“II just fell in love with the girls and the glamor and the service and the passion that went behind everything,” she said. “So I sat on that for a long time, waited, and now, I finally took my opportunity, and I’m so excited to be Miss Columbus and represent my wonderful hometown.”
How to attend and ticket info for Miss Georgia competition
Preliminary night competitions are June 17-19 and scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. The finals are Saturday, June 20 and scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at rivercenter.org or at the RiverCenter box office, 706-256-3612.
Winners will represent Georgia at the Miss America Pageant and Miss America’s Teen Pageant scheduled for September in West Palm Beach, Florida.
