Georgia Beauty Queen Gives Up Her Crown to Teach

Posted Jul 2nd 2009 at 3:45PM by Marissa Gold (Subscribe to Marissa Gold's posts)

Kristina Higgins was crowned Miss Georgia 2009 last weekend.

Then she shocked America when she decided her teaching job was worth more to her than the crown.

As reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Higgins was recently hired as a special education instructor at Snellville Middle School in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

When it came time to sign her contract as Miss Georgia, Higgins decided she didn't want to give up her teaching position. Runner-up Emily Cook assumed the crown.

What do you think of Higgins' decision? Was it wrong to compete in the pageant knowing her heart wasn't fully in it?

Or do you respect her decision for giving up the crown in order to pursue what she loves?

Leave a comment below!

Tags: beauty-pageant, emily-cook, kristina-higgins, Kristina-higgins-steps-down, Kristina-higgins-teacher, miss-georgia, miss-georgia-2009, Miss-Georgia-2009-winner, miss-georgia-crowned, miss-georgia-runner-up

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)

Suzaanne 7-03-2009 @ 2:30PM

Honestly, who cares?

Jennifer 7-03-2009 @ 2:02PM

I do a lot of TV and modeling work. My business is all about looks and how to look perfect at any time, and any place. I’m not young anymore and this is now harder than ever. I thought my career was almost over but GenFX™ is my secret weapon. Quite honestly, I look 10 years younger than my real age! http://www.antiaginggenfx.com/

patricia567 7-03-2009 @ 2:05PM

For the longest time I didn't have to worry about sunscreens because I stayed away from the beach because I was embarrassed about the stretch marks I got from the birth of my 2 children. and cellulite. Last summer I decided to do something about those problems. I did some research and I discovered Striation http://tr.im/StretechMarkEraser , which is an intense stretch mark therapy. I thought it would be harder to get rid of my cellulite but after a lot of trial and error I found BodySolution http://tr.im/BestCelluliteSolution a cellulite toning system that is clinically proven to smooth cellulite and firm in as little as 72 hours. All I can tell you is that my research worked and thanks to these two great products I'm back in my bikini on the beach.

Dan 7-03-2009 @ 2:26PM

I guess that is why you have no pic. You are too good looking.
Stop trying to sell junk where not appropriate.

Dr. E. G. 7-03-2009 @ 2:24PM

Please stop promoting products - you are ruining comment forums. This is very rude. Now, the topic: Of course I respect her decision. If it were me, I would serve as Ms. Geogia for one year 1st. These girls get tremendous financial opportunities and modeling jobs. She could end up with a tidy nest egg AND charity work which would make a difference....like much needed school supplies for kids/schools in need. She could make a much bigger impact on education this way, and still go back to teaching soon enough. Dr. G.

Syl 7-03-2009 @ 2:31PM

I'm fed up with people who post their stinky commercial messages as comments - such as this one.

Rebecca 7-06-2009 @ 8:29PM

If she new there was a chance, small chance but still a chance that she could win Miss Georiga then why did she enroll in the first place? Im not judging her, but just curious.

Annette9929 7-03-2009 @ 7:22PM

ita if u are so hot where is the pic. Im sure not clicking on a link either. You are selling genex.

BigD9 7-03-2009 @ 2:07PM

I've got something for her to teach on.........

Nicole 7-05-2009 @ 11:00AM

maybe she can teach you some manners

Sosumi 7-03-2009 @ 3:02PM

That is all you could come up with. Can we all spell sophmoric? Or beer swilling moron? Somebody does the right thing. That is the most shocking news. Your pithy comments are just the same old useless blather coming from a dues paying member of the idiocracy.

kay 7-03-2009 @ 3:03PM

bigd you are disgusting!

martha 7-03-2009 @ 3:19PM

sophomoric....yes i CAN spell it....correctly

JON 7-03-2009 @ 6:35PM

HAHAHA

Tobradex 7-03-2009 @ 2:08PM

Good for her. Teaching is a lot more satisfying than parading around just because you look pretty.

mik 7-03-2009 @ 2:11PM

I am sure she thought she was going to be Ms.Georgia. I don't think she really knew if she would be hired so, quickly with all the unemployment.
I am happy with what she decided. If it makes her feel good about teaching then great. It didn't hurt the runner up she got what she was trying for.
I hope they both do very well.

RETIRED TEACHER 7-03-2009 @ 2:17PM

LET'S SEE... BEAUTY QUEEN OR SPECIAL ED TEACHER? WHICH SERVES SOCIETY BEST/MORE? DUH!

Pageant Fan 7-03-2009 @ 8:14PM

Pretty harsh from a retired teacher. The Miss America pageant is no longer a "beauty pageant" rather a scholarship competition, which itself is the single largest provider of scholarships for young women in the country. Each contestant has a platform, to further her "cause" for her year of service, whether she wins State (Miss GA) or Miss America. I don't know what her particular platform was, but I think it is pretty educational for everyone, who should note that Kristina Higgins diligently competed and was successful in her quest, yet realised her role might be better served in an educational setting. I think it speaks volumes when someone forsakes their own personal dream (doesn't every little girl in the US go through that "beauty queen" phase?) to help further the goals of others. Applause to Kristina...

seceme 7-03-2009 @ 2:09PM

I applaud her for having the strength and intelligence to see the bigger picture. If teaching is her passion - then it was the best decision for HER. She didn't hurt anyone - as the runner-up who probably would have won if she hadn't participated is now the reigning Miss Georgia! Congrats to both young women in their outstanding accomplishments and I wish them both the best in their future endeavors. Society should be supportive of her decision. Not ridicule her for making a choice like this.