Evans woman misses Miss Georgia title again

Two days after being named first runner-up in the Miss Georgia pageant for her third consecutive year, Andrea Bailey still had a sense of humor.

"I told them they're going to have to get a new name for first runner-up - the Andrea Bailey award," the 23-year-old said with a laugh on Monday.

On Saturday night, Ms. Bailey, of Evans, became first runner-up to Amy Mulkey, 22, a graduate of the University of Georgia. The pageant took place in Columbus, Ga. Finishing first runner-up means Ms. Bailey would represent Georgia at September's Miss America competition in Atlantic City if Ms. Mulkey is unable to attend.

For Ms. Bailey, a recent magna cum laude graduate of Georgia State University, this year's event was the third time in four tries that she has finished in the No. 2 spot. Her first try resulted in a fourth runner-up placement.

Still, she said she is more than grateful for what the pageant has done for her.

This year alone, she took home $6,000 in college scholarship money for being named first runner-up. All together, she's received more than $20,000 in pageantry funding for college.

Ms. Bailey said she's now looking for a job either with the American Red Cross or something in the music industry.

And with the cutoff age to compete for Miss Georgia and Miss America set at 24, Ms. Bailey's options are open for one more possible shot at the title.

"I just have to see what happens over the next year," she said.