Miss Georgia Sweetheart Kelley Bradshaw became the fourth Peach state resident in the last six years to win the National Sweetheart title Sunday evening in Hoopeston, Ill.
First runner-up was Alabama’s Katie Boyd. Tennessee’s representative Ansley Reagan of Ooltewah, the current Miss Cleveland, was not among the top 10 finalists.
Miss Bradshaw was the first runner-up at June’s Miss Georgia Pageant which was won by Amanda Kozak. Miss Kozak was first alternate at last year’s Sweetheart contest.
Miss Bradshaw is a graduate of Georgia Southern University. She has two years of eligibility remaining for the Miss America title.
The Sweetheart pageant is held in conjunction with the National Sweet Corn Festival.
Misses Boyd and Reagan were the first runner-ups at their state pageants.
Ironically, Miss Georgia 2005, Monica Pang, also a former National Sweetheart winner and Miss Alabama 2005 Alexa Jones were the first and second runners-up at the 2006 Miss America Pageant.