CROWNING THE QUEEN: Rachel Owens of Thomasville was named the Mrs. Georgia USA over the weekend. She went on to compete at Nationals in July.

THOMASVILLE — Rachel Owens brought back home a crown this weekend after being named Mrs. Georgia USA.

Owens, a mother of 7 and grandmother of 3, accepted the challenge to compete in Mrs. Georgia USA a few months back after some of her friends encouraged her. She also wanted to challenge herself, as she had been a pageant mom to her daughter, Madison for years.

“I didn’t compete in pageants growing up,” she said. “I was a pageant mom to Madison, who was Miss Teen Texas and who held a Florida title when we were living there. I knew about the pageant world.”

Owens soon learned that knowing about the pageant world and competing in the pageant world are two very different things and has gained a new respect for her daughter’s hard work.

“It gives you a new respect for all the prepping they do,” she said. “It was nerve-wracking; I’m used to public speaking as a historian and archaeologist, but I was not used to speaking in the attire I had to wear.”

Owens said the Mrs. competition differs from Miss in the fact that all the women must be married and in the age range of 18-50.

Contestants in the Mrs. competition also are not required to have a talent, but compete in evening gown, interview and sportswear competitions.

Throughout the competition, Owens made lifelong friendships and said the unique thing about Mrs. Georgia USA pageant is the ability to see how everyone is beautiful in their own way.

“It doesn’t matter your age, if you want something go out there and do it,” she said. “Everyone is beautiful in their own way and we learn from each other.”

Owens explained contestants varied in their pursuits. Some women were doctors, while others were stay-at-home moms or businesswomen, but they all had a common goal in the pursuit of excellence.

“My biggest takeaway is the lifelong friendships I developed with so many different people,” she said. “I have friends all across the gambit.”

While friendships were formed, in the end only one contestant could win, which happened to be Owens.

“I never expected to win, but they said my win in interview put me over the top,” she said.

Now officially crowned Mrs. Georgia USA, Owens will begin her duties, traveling across the state and representing Georgia before heading to Nationals in Omaha in July.

“I will be doing a lot of traveling over the next few months,” Owens said. “I have the opportunity to meet the Governor and his wife in April, and I’ve been talking with the Braves about throwing out the first pitch at one of their games. I also get to travel to Puerto Rico in May to do a photoshoot with other Mrs. winners.”

Owens will also be available locally to represent the community who has backed her throughout her Mrs. Georgia USA journey.

“You can find me at the History Hangout on Friday night and at the Rose Show,” she said.

When not traveling, Owens said she will be on a rigorous training schedule, thanks to her new trainer Wes Gandy from Alabama.

“He is going to help me get in the best fitness shape of my life and work on my walk, because Nationals will be a much larger stage than what I was just one,” she explained.

In the event Owens doesn’t return from Nationals as the new Mrs. USA, she said she has already spoken with directors about her next adventure, which could lead to her being on the Board of Directors or becoming a pageant coach herself.

Regardless of the outcome, Owens also noted that this pageant will help her on her way to becoming the next Mrs. America, which is something she is participating in as well.

For those interested in following along on Owens’ journey, like her Facebook page: 2023 Mrs. Georgia USA.