Eighteen-year-old Taylor Austin, daughter of Michael and Letitia Austin of Bainbridge, competed in a three-day Miss Georgia Forestry Pageant in Tifton on June 18-21, and placed fourth runner-up in her division of 18-24 year-olds.

The theme of the pageant was related to history, as it was the 75th year anniversary of the Miss Georgia Forestry Pageant.

Miss Austin dressed in one segment of the competition as a 1949 Coca-Cola girl.

During the three days the contestants took tours of the area, participated in a parade in downtown Tifton and enjoyed a formal ball.

She went through an interview and speech process and as one of top ten finalists was required to think quickly to answer on-stage questions.

Pageant winning is not new to Taylor. She began her career in 2001 when she was named Little Miss Decatur County. Then in February of this year she was named Miss Decatur County Forestry, preparatory to advancing to the state level.

Taylor received a scholarship that will aid in her plans to attend Albany State University in the fall where she will major in biology, preparatory to achieving her goal of becoming a pediatric dentist.

She is the granddaughter of Bertha Parrish of Bainbridge, the late Coy Parrish, and of Mamie and James Austin. She has an eleven-year-old brother Corbin.