Local and former Pierce county residents won state titles at the 84th annual Miss Georgia Forestry Scholarship Pageant held in Tifton June 9-11.
Lizzybeth Bennett, daughter of Reed and LizAnne Bennett, was crowned the 2023 Little Miss Georgia Turpentine Queen, People’s Choice Queen, as well as being named Little Miss Georgia Forestry photogenic winner and best personality winner. Bennett is also the current 2023 Little Miss Spirit of Pierce.
Ellington Klair Hill, daughter of Will and Melissa Murray Hill, current Miss Pierce County Forestry queen and upcoming senior at Pierce County High School, was named Miss Georgia Forestry prettiest dress winner.
Tess Davis, 2002 Pierce County High School honor graduate and former resident, was crowned Ms. Georgia Forestry Queen 2023, Ms. Georgia Forestry interview and fun fashion winner as well as Ms. Georgia Forestry prettiest smile winner. Davis is also the current Ms. Colquitt County Forestry queen.
The contestants enjoyed a weekend full of pageantry and events like a tree farm tour, meeting with Georgia Forestry Commission, ice cream social, tea party and “Green Bling” formal ball.
The newly crowned queens will compete in the U.S. National Forestry pageant that will be held in Tifton this September.
Photos special to The Times.
