Education: Georgia Southern University - Senior - Bachelor of Science, Social Science
Lee County High School
Platform Issue: Arts Education
Scholastic/Career Ambition: Obtain a Masters of Public Administration
To work with a National non-profit arts advocacy organization
Talent: Contemporary Jazz Vocal/“Inseparable”
Interesting Facts: Attended an Off-Broadway production in London; Attended a lecture given by Gandhi’s grandson, Arun Gandhi; Passion for creating oil paintings; Met Andrew Young.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:16 PM
Miss Altamaha | Donna Sellers
Hometown: Baxley, GA
Education:Claflin University - Freshman - Bachelor of Science, Biology
East Laurens High School
Platform Issue: Learning for Life: Empowering America’s Future
Scholastic/Career Ambition: To become a Plastic Surgeon
Talent: Classical Piano/“Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor”
Interesting Facts: Attended the 2005 National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine at Emory University; Enjoy playing tennis, the piano, and the flute.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:16 PM
Miss Augusta | Adrianne Kemp
Hometown: Aiken, South Carolina
Education: University of South Carolina Aiken - Senior - Bachelor of Science, Biology
Midland Valley High School
Platform/Issue: Giving from the Heart - Child Molestation
Scholastic/Career Ambition: To obtain a dental doctorate degree in cosmetic dentistry
Talent:Classical Vocal/“Summertime”
Interesting facts: Youngest of three children; Love Science.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:15 PM
Miss Capital City | Leah Massee
Hometown: Fitzgerald, Georgia
Education:Valdosta State University - Bachelor of Arts, Communications
Fitzgerald High School
Platform Issue: Children’s Miracle Network
Scholastic/Career Ambition: Pursue a Masters degree in Communications then Corporate Event Planner
Talent: Vocal: “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
Interesting Facts: Opened for Tracy Byrd; Raised two show pigs; Hiked into an active volcano; skiied black diamond runs; My dad has always been my vocal coach; I do a fierce Jessica Simpson impersonation
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:15 PM
Miss Carpet Capital | Jessica Black
Hometown: Swainsboro, GA
Education: University of Georgia - Graduate - Bachelor of Science, Marketing
Swainsboro High School
Platform Issue: Y.E.S. Program, Youth Education of Seniors Citizens
Scholastic/Career Ambition: Obtain an MBA degree while pursuing a professional sales career with IBM
Talent: Vocal/“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” by Duke Ellington
Interesting Facts:Atlanta Braves Entertainment Team; Once milked a rattle snake; Scholarship for being on a Quiz Bowl team; Grown banana trees; Started an embroidery business; Driven Atlanta Motor Speedway pace car; Fired an M-16; God created a bubble in my car to protect me.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:14 PM
Miss Chattahoochee | Casey Popham
Hometown: Dahlonega, GA
Education: North Georgia College and State University - Senior
Lumpkin County High School
Platform Issue: American Cancer Society: You Can Make a Difference
Scholastic/Career Ambition: Obtain a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Georgia
Talent: Vocal: “Go On and Cry”
Interesting Facts: Descendent of Benjamin Parks, the man credited with discovering gold, igniting the first major gold rush in America in 1828; Proud owner of a 400 pound pet pig named Wilbur; I have traveled to over 20 states, Canada and the Bahamas.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:14 PM
Miss Coastal Georgia | Katie Lumpkin
Hometown: Thomasville, GA
Education: Kennesaw State University, Bachelor of Science, Communications - Senior
Birmingham Southern College
Thomasville High School
Platform:Prevention of Underage Drinking
Scholastic/Career Ambition: Obtain a Bachelors Degree in Communications
Work in fashion and entertainment broadcasting
Talent: Lyrical Ballet en Pointe - “Butterflies and Hurricanes”
Interesting Facts: Danced in the American College Dance Festival Gala; Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation; Danced at BSC’s 2003 Women of Distinction Gala which included guests such as Phyllis George, Ertha Kitt, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Patricia Cornwell; Audrey Hepburn aficionado; 20 years of training in classical dance; Danced The South Georgia Ballet’s Beauty and the Beast in the leading roll as Belle; I am cleithrophobic.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:13 PM
Miss Cherokee County | Christina McCauley
Hometown: Marietta, GA
Education: Birmingham Southern College - Bachelor of Arts in Music - Liberal Arts
Kennesaw State University - Bachelor of Arts in Music
Pebblebrook High School
Platform Issue: Scoliosis Awareness
Scholastic/Career Ambition: Obtain a Masters of Voice Performance and Education
Perform on Broadwayand at the Metropolitian Opera; Educator
Talent: Opera - “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta” from La Rondine, Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Interesting Facts:Filipino/Irish descent; oldest of three sisters; love to travel; wore a Boston back brace for 23 hours/day for four years to treat scoliosis; dream is to perform on Broadway or at the Metropolitian Opera; Chi Omega Fraternity
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:13 PM
Miss Cobb County | Lace Larrabee
Hometown: Glennville, GA
Education: Kennesaw State University - Junior - B.A., Theatre and Performance, Minor in Dance
Tattnall County High School
Platform Issue: “Fighting Multiple Sclerosis Through the National MS Society”
Scholastic/Career Ambition: Obtain a B.A. in Theatre and Performance Studies
Pursue a career in the entertainment industry
Talent: Comedic Monologue/“Accents, INC”
Interesting Facts: Official World War II “Rosie the Riveter Rosebud”; First person on either side of my family to pursue a college degree; Knack for meeting famous people; “Featured” extra in the movie “Something to Talk About”; Working my way through college holding up to three jobs at a time; Traveled over 10,000 miles through my work with the National MS Society.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:13 PM
Miss Columbus | Ashleigh Smith
Hometown: LaGrange, GA
Education: LaGrange High School
Platform Issue: Music to my Ears: Preserving Music Through Education
Scholastic/Career Ambitions: Bachelors degree in Music and Vocal Performance; Masters of Music Education
Successful Jazz Vocalist
Talent: Jazz Vocal - “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got that Swing”
Interesting Facts: Passion for performing jazz and blues repetoire by jazz pioneers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, and Bessie Smith; Performed in New York City at St. Petersburg Cathedral, Washinton D.C. at the Jefferson Memorial, National Cathedral, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Orlando, Florida at the Disney Music Festival, and Northern Ireland; studying and learning about different cultures and societies; performer at the 16th Biennial National Lincoln Normal School Reunion
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:12 PM
Miss Columbus State University | Catheryne Shaw
Hometown: Perry, GA
Education: Columbus State University - Senior - Bachelor of Music; Music Education - Instrumental
Houston County High School
Platform Issue: Political Awareness Education
Scholastic/Career Ambitions: Obtain a Masters in Wind Ensemble Conducting
Talent: Piano - “Chopsticks”
Interesting Facts: My father was my high school band director; I can play every wind instrument; I received plastic surgery when I was seven!
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:12 PM
Miss East Georgia | Liza Pitts
Hometown: Elberton, GA
Education: University of Georgia College of Pharmacy - 2nd Year - Doctor of Pharmacy
Elbert County Comprehensive High School
Platform Issue: Fight Cancer: Touch Lives, Save Lives
Scholastic Ambition: Obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree
Talent: Dance-Twirl - “Burning Love”
Interesting Facts: Alternate pianist for Bethel E. Baptist Church; Met Jeff Foxworthy, Dierks Bentley, and Miss Universe 2005, Natalie Glebova; Own a Kawasaki Ninja 250; Climbed the Great Wall of China; Snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:11 PM
Miss Elliottia | Angela Byrd
Hometown: Metter, GA
Education: Georgia Southern University - Senior - Bachelor of Science, Broadcasting
Metter High School
Platform Issue: Child Abuse: Awareness and Prevention
Scholastic/Career Ambition: Obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting
Talent: Vocal Performance/“If I Could”
Interesting Facts: First in family to graduate from a four-year institution; Trained in six areas of dance; Learning to speak Korean; Performed in first theater production in the fourth grade; Adores “Old Hollywood” legends; Extremely musically eclectic; Former all-star softball player; Worked as a DJ; Learning to ‘Break’ dance; Photojournalist for President Bush’s visit to GSU; ‘tech-savvy’
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:11 PM
Miss Emanuel County | Jessica Black
Hometown: Garfield, GA
Education: University of Georgia - Senior - Bachelors of Political Science
Emanuel County Institute
Platform Issue: Making Memories, Saving Memories - Fighting Alzheimer’s Disease
Scholastic/Career Ambitions: Obtain a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Georgia’s Law School
I plan to practice law in the state of Georgia, and ultimately participate in politics.
Talent: Vocal - “Come Rain or Com Shine”
Interesting Facts: When I was a child, my doctor told me that if I survived, I would never be mainstreamed into public school; I was a radio disc jockey for a local radio station while in high school; I spent the summer interning with a Superior Court Judge.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 05/25 at 12:10 PM
Miss Fulton County | Kymberly Sellers
Hometown: Stockbridge, GA Education: Clayton State University, Healthcare Management
Eagles Landing High School
Platform Issue: HIV Awareness & Prevention
Scholastic Ambition: Obtain a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management & a Masters in Public Administration
Talent: Saxophone Jazz Selection/“Midnight Motion”
Interesting Facts: I’m an only child; I cannon turn a cartwheel; I am the tallest woman in my family.
Miss Georgia 2007 Leah Massee Interview
News 3's Tammy Terry spoke with Leah Massee moments after Massee was crowned Miss Georgia at the RiverCenter in Columbus, GA.
