MISS UGA

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

The Miss University of Georgia Pageant is a program that has existed for over 100 years on campus. The 2025 pageant was held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 and Ella Ryann Cottrell was crowned as the 2025 Miss UGA. Applications for the 2026 pageant will be available in early fall of 2025 and the pageant will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The Miss UGA Pageant is an official Miss America Preliminary and is sponsored by the Department of Engagement, Leadership and Service.

INFORMATION FOR CONTESTANTS

The Miss University of Georgia Pageant is open to any UGA woman who will be enrolled in the 2025-2026 school year. Applications and a $75 (non-refundable) entry fee due on a specified date during fall semester.

Why Participate?

Applause? – Receive recognition for your efforts and your community
Personal Development – Gain valuable experience and develop life skills
Crown & Awards – Receive a scholarship toward tuition and a crown/sash
Adventure – Represent your University & Community – make personal appearences.
Sisterhood! Make new friends with other like-minded motivated women.
Growth – Foster a positive, self-motivated mindset to achieve your goals.

Eligibility

Age – must be 18 years old and no older than 27 at the time of the Miss Georgia Pageant in June.
Be a United States Citizen
Single
No legal dependents
Be a University of Georgia student enrolled both fall and spring semester of the 2025-2026 school year.

What I need to Know and do to Enter?

Submit an application prior to a specified date during fall semester
Pay a $75 entry fee no later than the application deadline
Go to forms and information – print out and complete the required forms – bring them to a required contestant meeting in early January.

What is involved in Participation

The Miss University of Georgia Pageant is a local preliminary of the Miss America Organization. The winner of this local pageant will move on to compete in the Miss Georgia Pageant held in Columbus, Georgia in June.
The new Miss University of Georgia will be required to attend the Miss Georgia Orientation Forum meeting the first weekend in March held in Columbus, Georgia.
The Miss UGA Pageant will consist of several phases of competition to be judged by a panel of five men and women
- Private 10 minute interview
- On-Stage competition
  - Talent (90 seconds)
  - Health & Fitness
  - Evening Gown
  - On Stage Conversation
There will be an interest meeting held in early fall semester
Contestants will be required to attend an orientation meeting and 2 rehearsals held in January prior to the pageant
The $75 entry fee must be paid no later than the application deadline

MEET MISS UGA

Ella Ryann Cottrell is the 2025 Miss University of Georgia. She is a 20 year old second year student from Madison, Georgia studying Regenerative Bioscience. Her career ambition is to attend Dental School, obtain her DMD and also own her own floral design company. For her talent she performed an acoustic vocal. Her community service initiative (CSI) is “Nourish Athens: Empowering Youth and Families for a Healthier Future” by providing nutritious meals, education, and healthy eating habits in the Athens area. She will represent UGA at the 2025 Miss Georgia Pageant in June.