THOMASVILLE- History was made on the stage of the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium Saturday evening, as Macy Taylor was crowned the new Miss Thomasville 2023 and Albree Norton was named the Teen Miss Thomasville.
The Miss and Teen Miss Thomasville Scholarship Program Competition, presented in partnership with CNSNext, allows young women across Thomasville the opportunity to compete for a $5,000 and $3,000 scholarship respectively, as well as the chance to hold the honorary title of Rose Queen at the annual Rose Show and Festival.
The annual Rose Show and Festival is a Thomasville tradition over 100 years in the making, and the new Miss Thomasville will be the reigning queen and ambassador of those festivities, as well as a role model to her peers.
Taylor, the daughter of Lisa and Russ Taylor, will now receive a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by CNSNext to Georgia Southwestern State University, where she is currently enrolled, along with numerous scholarships for her wins in individual categories.
Taylor was additionally awarded a $500 scholarship sponsored by Primary Care for her on-stage conversation, and three $500 scholarships, sponsored by Kathy Vonier Horton for poise, talent and interview.
She will be joined in her Rose Court by first runner-up, Hallie Coppedge, daughter of Allison and Craig Coppedge and student at Thomasville High School. Coppedge received a $3,000 scholarship courtesy of Rosemary and Dale Powell that she will use to further her education upon graduation.
Taylor and Coppedge will be joined by second runner-up Ashtyn Puckett. Puckett attends Valdosta State University and is the daughter of Lynn and Dr. Jason Puckett. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship for her placement as 2nd runner-up.
Third runner-up and student at Thomasville High School was Ariel Anderson. Anderson is the daughter of Mrs. Marquita Haywood and John Anderson.
Cassidy Clark and Kennedy Williams rounded out the Miss Competition with the Miss Congeniality Award and People’s Choice Award, respectively.
The Teen Miss Thomasville, which has been on hiatus for the past few years, brought dazzling young women to the stage, who displayed poise, confidence and talent as they showed the judges what they had learned throughout the week.
Norton, the daughter of Mrs. Stacy Knight and Casey Norton, will now receive a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by CNSNext to further her education upon graduation from Thomasville High School.
Norton was additionally awarded a $250 scholarship from Bull & Briar for her on-stage conversation and a $250 scholarship from the family of Jason and Laura McCorvey for the preliminary poise competition.
Norton was joined on her Teen Miss Court by first runner-up, Kinley Harrison, daughter of Tiffany Davis and Keldrick Harrison and student at Thomasville High School. Harrison received a $2,000 scholarship on behalf of the Miss Thomasville Board and was named the Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants, where she received a $250 scholarship for.
Norton and Harrison will be joined by second runner-up Savannah Harpe.
Harpe is the daughter of Heather and Jason Harpe and a student at Thomasville High School. She received a $1,000 scholarship, courtesy of Servpro to further her education upon graduation.
Harpe also was named the talent winner for her contemporary dance to “Lost.” She was awarded a $250 scholarship for her dance, along with a $250 scholarship for winning the People’s Choice Award.
Emma Reeves, daughter of Kendra Reeves and Tony and Clair Reeves, was named third runner-up, while Jennifer Martin, daughter of Brittany and James Martin was named fourth runner-up.
Maddy Beaty, daughter of Ashley and Brian Beaty, rounded out the competition with the Interview Award, receiving a $250 scholarship courtesy of Red Hills Imaging.
The 2024 Miss Thomasville and Teen Miss Thomasville Pageant had 18 contestants competing from area schools. The contestants were accepted into the program in April 2024 and worked steadily on a long list of deliverables, and spent two dedicated weeks learning about community, history, and tradition. They spent hours rehearsing, as well as forming bonds through team building exercises and practices.
This year’s contestants in the Teen Miss in numerical order were Harrison, Kaliste Moore, Martin, Reeves, Olivia Barnes, Harpe, Beaty, Cheyenne Bristol, Ryleigh Blair and Norton.
The contestants in the Miss Competition were Anderson, Cassidy Clark, Williams, Shea Landreth, Puckett, Taylor, Coppedge, and Sadie Parrish.
The competition was emceed by Miss Thomasville Committee member and Miss Thomasville 2002, Whitney Robertson. Roberson dazzled with her vibrant personality, quick wit and humor as she shared about the program, contestants, and sponsors. She was joined by Miss Georgia 2022 Kelsey Hollis.
The emcees also welcomed Miss Thomasville’s princesses.
Elementary-grade female students were able to compete digitally for a chance to be named “Princess.” The princess will be mentored by Taylor throughout the year and have additional chances to appear alongside her.
Adalyn Whitman was named this year’s Thomasville Princess.
Robertson encouraged any teens ages 13-15 to follow along at their @missthomasvillega Instagram and Facebook page, as more information becomes available on the Teen Miss Thomasville contest.