Annie Jorgensen was crowned Miss Georgia 2018 last Saturday after competing for the title three times.
“It’s been a goal of mine for so long,” she said. “Just to have that feeling of them calling my name was really incredible.”
Jorgensen, 22, will advance to the Miss America competition that recently eliminated the swimsuit contest. Instead, there will be an “interactive session” that spotlights contestants’ accomplishments and aspirations.
The previous Miss UGA and Miss International City 2018 said this change signals an “exciting era for Miss America.”
“I’m excited to see the girls highlighted for the work that they are doing, their platforms and their accomplishments outside of just their physical fitness,” she said.
The University of Georgia journalism graduate also commented on the recently reversed U.S. immigration policy that separated families. It isn’t clear when or if over 2,000 children will be returned to their deported parents. Jorgensen stressed the importance of families being together.
“I am hopeful in the future and in very near future that we won’t see these families that are hoping to enter the United States being ripped apart in their search for the American dream,” she said.
Jorgensen wants to empower kids.
Her platform A Patch of Confidence #IGotThis teamed up with Girl Scouts America to create a program that includes a guidebook and patch that encourages scouts to find confidence.
“I think lacking self-confidence is the underlying issue for so many issues, like for bullying, for depression, for apathy and even the opioid crisis and drug abuse,” she said. “I’m trying to take a more proactive approach of building young children up to believe in themselves.”
