Macon, Warner Robins contestants to compete in Miss Georgia, Miss Georgia Teen next month

Contestants share inspiring community service initiatives ahead of state competition

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – In a few weeks, a group of young ladies from Middle Georgia will participate in the Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia Teen competitions in Columbus, Georgia.

On Thursday, three of the five contestants who will represent Macon and Warner Robins made an appearance at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon for a meet and greet. Miss International City Hannah Peterson, Miss Macon Hannah McGarity and Miss Houston County’s Teen Hannah Shaw discussed their community service initiatives.

Peterson has partnered with Backpack Buddies of Coweta County, Georgia.

“Provide backpacks for students in need, specifically weekend bags, which just provide bags of food with small snack items to things like canned food, peanut butter jars, anything that could last a couple of days, really to hold them over until they can get that nutritional help from the school the following week,” she said.

Shaw’s platform is “Stop the Cycle.” She says it focuses on substance abuse prevention and has been introduced at Northside High School.

McGarity’s service initiative is “Suicide, Let’s Talk About What’s Happening.” She says she created this in honor of her sister who passed away from an overdose in August 2022.

“With my service initiative, I’ve been able to become a volunteer with the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, as well as be a part of their policymakers committee and help run through legislation in the Capitol,” McGarity said.

41NBC’s Tucker Sargent was part of the media day panel and had the opportunity to participate in mock interviews with the young ladies ahead of their state competition, which is set for June 12-15.