Category: Georgia

2016 Miss Georgia Jr. Pre-Teen Claudia Fether and Meals by Grace

National American Miss Team Georgia was busy serving their community this past weekend by preparing, packing and delivering food to children and families in need with an organization called Meals by Grace.

Spearheaded by Miss Georgia Jr. Pre-Teen, Claudia Fether, this team of queens came together with NAM All-American qualifiers, siblings and parents to feed 45 families. Service activities included unloading food from trucks, sorting cans and dry goods, selecting and packing each family’s food needs, creating personalized encouragement cards and delivering the food to each family.

Books donated by Georgia NAM contestants were carefully sorted by age and hand picked to be placed in each family’s box making sure each child was given an age-appropriate book. Delivery was the highlight of the day as children and their guardians anxiously awaited the arrival of their food which will feed their family for an entire week.

Some children even received birthday cakes to celebrate their birthdays in the upcoming week. It was a day of blessings for everyone involved and these amazing young ladies are already looking forward to the next opportunity to serve together representing National American Miss!

2016 Miss Georgia Pre-Teen Damacia Howard Volunteering

Thursday, January 19th – Damácia participated in the opening ceremony (“Youth on Parade”) for Bounce TV’s 25th Annual Trumpet Awards. She recited a monologue “Staying Power” by D.M. Larson. She also met former New England Patriots player Tyrone Poole.

Saturday, January 21 (her 14th birthday) – Damácia was invited to walk the Red Carpet at Bounce TV’s 25th Annual Trumpet Awards at the Cobb Energy Center in Cobb County Georgia. She was interviewed and met some great people.

Damácia and actress/gospel recording artist Tamela Mann sharing their awesome black need out shoes.

Damácia with award winning actor and family friend, Louis Gossett, Jr.

Damácia with NBA great Dikembe Mutombo.

Damácia with actress Vanessa Bell Calloway.

Miss Georgia Pre-Teen Damacia Howard and Vanessa Bell Calloway
Miss Georgia Pre-Teen Damacia Howard and Vanessa Bell Calloway

 

Damácia being interviewed by Bounce TV.

Samantha Sayar, 2015 Miss Georgia Pre- Teen, welcomes this years contestants.

Samantha Sayar Samantha Sayar.jpg2 Samantha Sayar.jpg3 Samantha Sayar.jpg4 Samantha Sayar.jpg5 Samantha Sayar.jpg6 Samantha Sayar.jpg7 Samantha Sayar.jpg8 Samantha Sayar.jpg9 Samantha Sayar.jpg10Dear 2016 Georgia NAM State Finalists,

One year ago, I was completely dumbfounded to be named Miss Georgia Pre-teen! It was my first year with NAM, so I am so excited to be an inspiration to contestants who are competing for the first time, in addition to those who have pursued their dream for years. I learned that with hard work, confidence, and a genuine heart, you can do anything!

A few of the highlights throughout my year have been a super fun rainy-day photo shoot with my sister queens, meeting the band 5 Seconds of Summer, volunteering at my church’s local soup kitchen, and making lasting memories with my family at Nationals, where I was blessed to place in the Top Ten.

I could not have achieved everything I did this year without my incredible support system. Huge thanks go out to Mr. Matt Leverton and his fantastic staff, my sister queens, Daddy and April, Momma and Greg, my sweet siblings, all of my wonderful grandparents, uncles, and most importantly God. It clearly takes a village to raise a child!

National American Miss has taught me about the importance of serving one’s community, and it has been an honor to use my title for that purpose. I have enjoyed every moment of this phenomenal experience; it is one that I will always treasure.

Cinderella’s advice is worth quoting: “Have courage and be kind.” With this, you can achieve your dreams.

Always and forever,

Samantha Sayar, Miss Georgia Pre-teen

Gabrielle Buchan, looks back on her amazing year as Miss Georgia Junior Teen.

Gabrielle farewell Gabrielle farewell.jpg2 Gabrielle farewell.jpg3 Gabrielle farewell.jpg4 Gabrielle farewell.jpg5 Gabrielle farewell.jpg6 Gabrielle farewell.jpg7 Gabrielle farewell.jpg8 Gabrielle farewell.jpg9 Gabrielle farewell.jpg10To get something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done.

One year ago, I stole the judge’s hearts, and the crown. My year had just started. I volunteered with many organizations across Georgia. I donated school supplies to DFCS, judged local pageants, worked with my platform KARE, and even partnered with the First Lady of Georgia on her ‘Get Georgia Reading’ program.

The saying is true; time really does fly when you’re having fun. Before I knew it I was on a plane to Anaheim, California. Nationals were nothing short of amazing! I toured the famous streets of Hollywood, spend a day at Disney, and eat dinner with my friends from all across the country. The 50 state Jr. Teen Queens were not just competition, they grew to be my best friends.

Thank you Matt and the NAM staff for turning my dreams into a reality. Gracie, Hannah, Samantha, and Chandler, thank you for showing me what a sisterhood is like. The future holds big things for you all. Mom, thank you for being my coach, hair stylist, and makeup artist. Thank you dad for being my, well, bank account.

To all the Georgia Jr. Teen contestants, you don’t realize how far you can grow in just one weekend. No matter the outcome, you’re doing something remarkable. Hold your head up high and be confidently beautiful.

To my Successor, this year will no doubt be one of the best years of your life. You’ll meet people who will change your life forever, cherish every moment, and take LOTS of pictures!

For the last time, I am your 2015 Miss Georgia Junior Teen, Gabrielle Buchan.

Miss Georgia Pre-Teen Spokesmodel Damácia Howard won the 2016 Prudential Spirit of Community Award!

Damácia Damácia2 Damácia3 Damácia4 Damácia5 Damácia6 Damácia7 Damácia8 Damácia9 Damácia10 Damácia11 Damácia12 Damácia13Miss Georgia Pre-Teen Spokesmodel  Damácia Howard won the 2016 Prudential Spirit of Community Award! Damácia was the state of Georgia Middle Level Winnder.  She in turn received several state level awards and recognition from President Obama, Governor Nathan Deal, Senator Donzella James, Secretary of State Brian J. Kemp, Georgia Superintendent of Schools Mr. Richard Woods, Congressman David Scott and Union City, GA Mayor Vince Williams will be honoring Damácia on April 19th with a proclamation declaring April 19th as Damácia Howard. Damácia will be traveling to Washington DC, to be honored with 101 others students at a banquet at the Smithsonian.  She’ll enjoy four full days of festivities.

Miss Georgia Princess and Jr. Pre-Teen, Gracie Ondic and Hannah Daffron, volunteered for Adventure Bags, Inc.

GeorgiaMiss Georgia Princess and Jr. Pre-Teen, Gracie Ondic and Hannah Daffron, volunteered for Adventure Bags, Inc. They collected donations and provide awareness of the local charitable organization, Adventure Bags, Inc., at the Buford Bazaar in Gwinnett County.  Gracie and Hannah told community members about Adventure Bags, collected donations at the booth and even walked around and collected monetary donations from other vendors at the Buford Bazaar.  Gracie also donated some of the book bags that were collected at the Georgia National American Miss pageant to Adventure Bags. 

Adventure Bags, Inc.  works with organizations that work with displaced children such as DFCS, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters and teen shelters. They provide these organizations with a book bag of important items like: a stuffed animal, toothbrush, toothpaste, under garments, hair brush or comb, socks, coloring books, crayons and a journal for children to write down their thoughts so that when they do have to go to an unfamiliar place the children have some items that are ALL their own.  Adventure Bags, Inc. serves counties all over Georgia and it is their intention to help provide children in crisis security and comfort. More information about this organization can be found at www.adventurebags.org.  

Miss Georgia Pre-Teen, Samantha Sayer, prepared meals in Midtown Atlanta.

Samantha Samantha.JPG2Miss Georgia Pre-Teen, Samantha Sayer, prepared meals in Midtown Atlanta. Samantha spent her day off of school preparing and serving meals to people in need. It is part of Samantha’s mission to see to it that everyone has a healthy meal each day.

 

Miss Georgia Jr. Teen Gabrielle Buchan spoke at “Get Georgia Reading Initiative.”

GA jr. teen GA jr. teen.jpg2 GA jr. teen.jpg3 GA jr. teen.jpg4Miss Georgia Jr. Teen Gabrielle Buchan spoke at “Get Georgia Reading Initiative.” Gabrielle was able to attend and speak at Mrs. Sandra Deal’s “Get Georgia Reading Initiative.” Being able to speak with the First Lady of Georgia and many of Georgia’s State Representatives was an incredible honor for Gabrielle. Being able to spread the word on the importance of youth reading and knowledge is so important. Gabrielle was also able to make a donation of books to her county’s library in honor of the First Lady of Georgia, Mrs. Deal, on behalf of National American Miss.

Miss Georgia Pre-Teen Spokesmodel Damacia Howard was a guest speaker for the middle school girls of “Destiny’s Daughters of Promise.”

20150825_190636_resized_1 20150825_190724_resized_1 20150825_190957_resized_1Miss Georgia Pre-Teen Spokesmodel Damacia Howard was a guest speaker for the middle school girls of “Destiny’s Daughters of Promise” Barber Middle School chapter. She encouraged, inspired and invited them to join her in her community project, “Books for Africa”. Damacia met with the girls from Barber Middle School, the Director of Destiny’s Daughters of Promise Lorraine Thomas and Dr. Barbara Swinney Assistant Superintendent Elementary School Leadership & Learning Cobb County Schools.

Miss Georgia Jr. Pre-Teen Hannah Daffron collected can goods for local shelter!

HannahMiss Georgia Jr. Pre-Teen Hannah Daffron collected can goods for local shelter! Hannah went door to door and got over 1000 can goods for a local emergency shelter!