Miss Georgia USA

“Tiana Griggs, 26, Monticello, Georgia,” is how the live competition of the Miss USA Pageant began for the Monticello native. She finished the national competition as second runner-up, third of 51 diverse contestants.

The live telecast culminated a week of competition for Miss Griggs in Baton Rouge, La. Miss Nevada 2014 Nia Sanchez may have taken home the crown but Tiana was definitely a judge and fan favorite. She earned her spot in the Top 20 quickly following the nation’s live introduction to her and the 50 other contestants as she was the third Top 20 finalist announced on the telecast.

From 20 the finalist crop went to 10 following the swimsuit competition and then down to six following the evening gown competition. Miss Georgia earned her spot in the Top 6 with no help needed help from fans nationwide who were allowed to tweet their favorite into the sixth spot.

The location and format of the pageant changed significantly this year. Las Vegas, Nevada has been home to the pageant for the past few years and the live telecast formerly aired for two hours instead of three.

Nonetheless it didn’t take long for viewers to grasp that Miss Georgia was definitely there to compete. Tiana smiled, strutted, and poised herself into the hearts and minds of judges and fans alike.

After being announced as a Top 20 finalist her one word description of how she felt at that moment was “blessed.”

Although she won’t be representing the nation in the upcoming Miss Universe 2014 competition she will remain busy for the next six months completing her yearlong reign as Miss Georgia.

Miss Griggs will participate in the Veterans’ Day parade in Monticello this Saturday, June 14, at noon.