'I have been a close friend to this beautiful and talented lady for 32 years,' then-CEO Sam Haskell told Williams, according to CNN. The organization later apologized to Williams 32 years later onstage at the 2016 pageant. This led to her being forced to give up her title, which she later described as one of the lowest points of her life. The photos had been taken while she worked as a photographer's assistant. Vanessa Williams may have gone on to have a hugely successful career, but in the 1980s, she was at the center of a pageant scandal of her own.Īfter becoming the first African-American woman to be named Miss America, nude photos of Williams surfaced in Penthouse magazine.

Canned good and blanket donations were collected for The Manna House in Effingham County.Vanessa Williams has made quite a comeback. Platinum sponsors of the event were Effingham Magazine and Pageantry Magazine, as well as Silver Sponsors Beaucoup Beauty by AVON and Git It Poppin Gourmet Popcorn.Ī portion of the proceeds from the pageant benefited Miller’s organization, The Dinner Plate Project, which works to end hunger in the community. 29 was another SEHS grad, Miller’s brother, Jarrod NeShawn Miller. 'I love that pageantry combines so many things that I love - beauty, glamour, fashion, sisterhood and community service.” “Kids have so many positive outlets here from dance to basketball, but pageantry is missing, and I think it’s time we have one here,” Miller said. Georgia 2020, said beauty pageants provide a unique opportunity for young girls to build learn poise, make lasting memories and friendships and build self-esteem. Miller, the reigning United States of America’s Ms. Winners of the pageant were: 2020 Teeny Miss - Kailey Patrick 2020 Tiny Miss - Scarlett Rose Odom 2020 Little Miss - Olivia McKinney People's Choice Award - Scarlett Rose Odom and Bailey Patrick Overall Photogenic Winners - Juliana Grace King and Zaniyah Athena Martinez and Overall Most Beautiful Winners - Dream Dubose and Georgia Burns. Saying beauty pageants provide a unique opportunity for young girls to build self-confidence, local pageant winner Ashia Miller organized the Miss Southern Empire Pageant, which was held recently at her alma mater, South Effingham High School.

Ky junior miss pageant past winners