(Front, L-R): Graycee McNease, Anna Claire Mock, Bridget Peterson; (back) Leila Collins,BayleighMcMillan,LaurenArnold,CidneyAdamsSWGA Southern The SWGA Southern Miss Pageant was held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, at the old Miller County Middle/High School Auditorium. The theme of the pageant was "Passport to Paris," and the audience was served a meal while the contestants competed in on-stage introduction, gown walk, and verbal communication. Each contestant age 4 and up had also competed in a private interview with the judges prior to the pageant.

Bayleigh McMillan was crowned Baby Miss SWGA Southern Miss and also won the Photogenic, Prettiest Dress, Prettiest Hair, and Modeling awards. She is the 13-month-old daughter of George and Tina McMillan of Bainbridge. Bayleigh was sponsored by Freckles & Frills of Bainbridge. First runnerup in the Baby Division was Molly Franklin.

Anna Claire Mock was crowned Teeny Miss SWGA Southern Miss and also won the People's Choice, Photogenic, Prettiest Dress, and Prettiest Hair awards. She is the 2-year-old daughter of Jarrott and Mandi Mock of Colquitt. Anna Claire was sponsored by SunSouth of Donalsonville. The modeling award in the Teeny division went to Careygan Palmer, and first runner-up was Sadie Cox.

Graycee McNease was crowned Tiny Miss SWGA Southern Miss and also won the Photogenic and Prettiest Dress awards. She is the 5-year-old daughter of Brandan and Laura Mc- Nease of Colquitt. Gray- cee was sponsored by her parents. Abby Nobles was first runner-up in the Tiny division and winner of the Prettiest Hair and Modeling awards.

Bridget Peterson was crowned Little Miss SWGA Southern Miss and was also the Photogenic winner. She is the 7-yearold daughter of Curt Peterson and Angela Phillips. Bridget was sponsored by Double R Flight Service in Colquitt. Also in the Little Division, Carlie Maxwell was the winner of the People's Choice Award; and Haley Whittaker was the winner of the Prettiest Dress, Prettiest Hair, and the Modeling awards.

Cidney Adams was crowned Junior Miss SWGA Southern Miss and was also awarded the Photogenic, Prettiest Dress, Prettiest Hair and Talent awards. She is the 10-year-old daughter of Richard and Kelly Adams. Cidney was sponsored by Bushwood Farms.

Leila Collins was crowned Junior Miss SWGA Southern Miss. Leila is the 13-year-old daughter of Marty and Diana Collins; she was sponsored by her parents. Leila also won the Photogenic, Prettiest Hair, Talent, and Overall High Point Talent competition. Shanna Suggs won the Prettiest Dress and Modeling competition in the Teen Division.

Lauren Arnold was crowned Miss SWGA Southern Miss as well as was the winner of the Prettiest Hair, Modeling, and overall High Point Modeling. She is the 23-yearold daughter of Celester and the late Roy Arnold of Blakely. Lauren was sponsored by Sea Divers of Ozark and Enterprise. First runner-up in the Miss Division was Victoria Newberry. Victoria was also the Evening Gown winner and Photogenic winner.

The 2009-2010 SWGA Southern Miss Queens will travel to Jekyll Island in July 2010 to compete in the Georgia Southern Miss Scholar Pageant where they will compete in interview, introduction, verbal communication, and evening gown. The Baby & Teeny contestants will attend a beach party under the pavilion at the Villas by the Sea, which is the host hotel for the state pageant. The Tiny, Little, and Junior contestants will visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Turtle Hospital, where they will adopt a sea turtle. Teen and Miss will relax from a long day of interviews by visiting Summer Waves Water Park for "Night Splash." After the pageant on Saturday evening, all contestants will attend a Farewell Karaoke Party by the pool at "Villas by the Sea."

Be on the lookout for the newly crowned SWGA Southern Miss Queens who will be making appearances in our community and participating in parades and other events. For a list of other GSM prelims, you may visit www.georgiasouthernmiss. com