Recap of Miss Georgia 2012 Year

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." -Colossians 3:12

As I went to bed this past Sunday, I realized in two weeks I will be back home from Miss Georgia week and entering a new phase in my life. A phase focused on finishing my nursing degree; a phase centered on slowing down my life a little; a phase dedicated to friendships and relationships; a phase devoted to discovering life without doing a million things at once; a phase committed to full recovery.

We are frequently given fresh starts in life, and we have the choice to take full advantage of these "reset moments," or not. It is so easy to stay in the mundane routine of life and continue living within the comfort of your "normal." Seeing hundreds of pictures from high school graduations brings back the reality that my normal hasn't been what most would consider normal. I didn't go to 8th grade socials and high school homecomings and proms. I didn't wake up Monday-Friday and head to school, spend Friday nights at the football stadium, then spend the weekends being lazy with friends. I didn't have a high school graduation and a typical "move-in" college experience. Instead, I spent all day Monday-Saturday at a ballet studio. At 15 years old, I was living on my own and getting my own paycheck. I danced and performed in many different states; trained with some of the best ballet teachers out there; traveled to China alone with my ballet director to represent America at an international ballet competition in Beijing, China. I was responsible for grocery shopping, car maintenance, my schooling, a career, and things most 15 year olds aren't thinking about. Then at 17 years old, I had to face the reality that the main thing to which I’d dedicated my entire life and sacrificed a "normal teenage life" for would no longer be what it was. I finished my high school credits a year early; began college at 17 years old, maintaining a 4.0 GPA; and won Miss Georgia at 19 years old. Now, at 20, I have traveled over 35,000 miles attending various appearances all over the state of Georgia, met people from all backgrounds and all walks of life, shared my life stories with large crowds, fought through nine months of treatment for an eating disorder I lived with for eight years, and am now getting ready to go to a school that offered me a full ride, four year scholarship to continue my education.

I am so appreciative for the life experiences I've lived thus far. Are they normal? Most would say "no." Are they memorable? Definitely.

Now, in just four days, I leave for Miss Georgia week. This year has been so much more to me than just being Miss Georgia. Never did I think I would have so many mixed emotions about it coming to an end. Not only has it been a year to positively impact those with whom I came in contact, and to build relationships I wouldn’t otherwise have; it has also been a year loaded with “stuff.” Just as people do when a new year rolls around, I have been flooded with memories, regrets, laughs, tears, and shock when I truly take the time to look back on these past 12 months of my life. In the big scheme of life, 12 months is nothing but a blink, but I must say this “blink” might be one of the longest, most significant blinks I will ever experience. 

Here are some bullet points to recap my year:

• · Favorite appearance: Not sure why I tortured myself by having to narrow it down to one! After a lot of back and forth, I would say the Springer Special Needs Christmas Party was my favorite appearance. As God would have it, after my worst days in recovery, it seemed I would go to a really meaningful appearance. The Springer Opera House party was just that kind of event. Being in a theater packed with special needs children and having the opportunity to love on them and talk with them might stay in the front of my mind for a long, long time.
• · Worst appearance: Maybe I should clarify and say, “I did my worst” at the Miss Cobb preliminary. It was the first time I had to speak in front of a pageant crowd as Miss Georgia, and I was beyond nervous. The fact I was Miss Georgia had not yet sunk in, and I think it was obvious! Live and learn. :-)
• · Funniest appearance: Keep Columbus Beautiful! It wasn’t so much the appearance that was funny as it was my chaperones -- Billy Kendall (Miss Georgia executive board member) and Tate Sasser (my beloved business manager). It started with Billy saying the craziest things I’ve ever heard, and it ended with Tate trying to stand up but falling into my arms because her ankle rolled.  Not to forget to mention this happened in front of a big ballroom full of people! Fortunately it ended in laughter.
• · Scariest appearance: Columbus White Water Rafting. All year I thought it would be the Rattlesnake Roundup, but after being flipped out of my raft, getting caught under it, and not being able to breathe, I don’t think anything could have topped the rafting experience.
• · Best memory: Praying over the Miss America Class of 2012 every night at Miss America (and the Miss America experience in its entirety).
• · Worst memory: A set of mock interviews mid-December!! For all mock interviews I had throughout this experience, I would consistently get some 8s, mainly 9s, and some 10s. Well, this one time I BOMBED it! Two of the judges were former Miss Georgias, Christina McCauley (2010) and Emily Cook (2009). I was mortified at how poorly I did. Not to make excuses but to be fair to myself, I had gotten no sleep for the two nights prior, was really struggling in recovery, and just wasn’t having a good day at all. I’m human!
• · Easiest moment of the year: Second and third week after I won. The first week of shock had worn off and I was caught up on sleep and unpacked; yet the business had not quite started.
• · Hardest moment of the year: Finding a balance between Miss Georgia appearances, Miss America prep, treatment time, family, me time, etc.
• · Chaperone Who Became Family: The Miss Georgia Organization is SO lucky to have so many willing and giving chaperones all over the state. This was very hard to decide, but I have to say Mary and Ray Walker took me in like I was their own child. I will always be grateful to everyone who similarly took me under their wing this year.
• · Best advice I was given: From Galen: “Just be Leighton.” Simple, I know, but something I so desperately needed to hear.
• · Longest time in the car for an appearance: Nine hours. I drove down to Savannah for an hour-long event and came home right after.
• · Most embarrassing moment: Signing the National Anthem at the Falcons game when they played the New Orleans Saints. Long story short: I was wearing close-fitting black leather pants. I squatted down to get my shoes out of my closet before leaving my house. I heard a little tear, but as is the case when I am rushing, I don’t always pay attention to things like that. I got to the Georgia Dome and situated in my dressing room. The event coordinator came to tell me I had rehearsal on the field in ten minutes. I nodded excitedly and said “okay!” Well, something just didn’t quite feel right. I looked down at my lap and realized my pants seam had ripped…and ripped BADLY. I had no needle, thread, or safety pins. I quickly began brainstorming about what in the world I was going to do. I only had ten minutes, so I knew I needed a quick fix. Thankfully I knew one of the Falcons Cheerleaders, so I stood up and wobbled (not letting my legs separate) out of my dressing room, making my way to the cheerleader’s dressing room. As I am awkwardly wobbling out my door and into the hallway looking down at my Falcons pass, I run into (and I mean run directly into) Ludacris and his security entourage. Oopsies! The security team all stood up really straight and stared at me, wondering why I was getting so close to Ludacris. I felt like saying “Uh, hello! I really don’t care about Ludacris right now. I just need some help with my pants please!” Instead I just started laughing and said “Whoops. Sorry about that!” and continued to the cheerleader’s dressing room. I walk in and introduce myself saying “Hi, I am Miss Georgia and my pants are really ripped.” Classy, right? I ended up with about 20 small safety pins lining the seam of my pants and crossing my fingers they would all stay closed. The night went on splendidly and the pants were retired immediately afterwards.
• · Most memorable thing someone said to me: Other than people telling me I helped encourage them to seek a growing relationship with Christ, a little girl told me this after I opened up about battling an eating disorder: “I have watched you all day and thought I could never be Miss Georgia because I’m not perfect. But now, knowing you aren’t perfect, I know I don't have to be perfect to inspire others like you have inspired me.” That moment changed my life.
• · Strangest thing someone said to me: I can’t remember all the crazy things, but I always find it interesting when moms ask me to sign pictures for their sons and say “can you write something like ‘Want to come home with me? and put a big heart on there?” Yikes!!
• · Total number of miles on my KIA Optima: About 35,000
• · Total number of times I was pulled over: ZERO!!! I think I might be the first Miss Georgia in years (decades?) to make it through my year without getting pulled over. If I make it to 21 years old, I will have made it six years with no police lights behind me. (Knock on wood!)
• · Number of car incidents: One. Flat tire, and I mean FLAT. Also, no spare tire in the trunk when it happened!
• · Best thing about being Miss Georgia: The unexpected opportunities to brighten someone’s day just because “Miss Georgia hugged me” or “Miss Georgia just gave me advice” or “Miss Georgia listened to my story.” Not that I understand it, but people (adults and children) seem to be surprised when someone in a public role takes the time to listen and engage in a conversation.
• · Worst thing about being Miss Georgia: The pressure you constantly feel; body, hair, makeup, clothes, FB/Twitter/Instagram posts, everything we say, etc. Not only because you are in the public eye, but also because of the endless criticism that comes from some people. As I have learned, you can’t please everyone!
• · Most stressful time of my Miss Georgia year: The month of December! I get exhausted just thinking about it. Sessions with my trainer (Stephen Smith) three times a week, individual gym sessions on the other days, talent rehearsal four times a week, wardrobe alterations and wardrobe appointments, packing, mock interviews and round table discussions, Miss Georgia appearances, and treatment!
• · Main thing I learned about life as Miss Georgia: There are truly some really, really good people out there with no hidden agenda whatsoever. It just takes you being open to find them.
• · Main thing I learned about myself as Miss Georgia: Just how strong I am (and I am still learning it).
• · Most annoying thing about being Miss Georgia:  This might seem trivial, but I am tired of fixing my hair and doing my makeup! As I posted on Twitter and FB earlier, this year has taken away any and all desire to ever fix my hair again! Good thing my career will allow me to wear scrubs, tennis shoes, and my hair in a pony tail :-) (I mean this in a laughing matter)
• · Thing I regret most: Always trying to be a better Miss Georgia and do more while not taking time to step back and just be proud of who I am in the present moment. 

As you can see, what a ride it has been! I am going to post a blog about the 2013 Miss Georgia contestants (what they are up to, how they’re holding up, etc.) during Miss Georgia week, but I am sad to say this is my last post pertaining to my year as Miss Georgia. One girl’s life is about to change more than she could ever know or prepare for, and I will enjoy sitting out of the spotlight watching her grow and take it all in.

A huge thank you to all that have made this year what it has been.

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

-In Christ,

Leighton Jordan
Forever and Always Miss Georgia 2012