January 2007
	People

Crowning Achievement

NEA student member to take a shot at the Miss America title in January

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When the Miss America Pageant airs this month, the hand-off of the crown could also signal the back-to-back coronations of NEA student members. Amanda Kozak, 22, was crowned Miss Georgia in June, making her eligible to strut her stuff in this year’s Super Bowl of scholarship pageants. The reigning Miss America, Jennifer Berry, is a University of Oklahoma elementary education major and NEA student member.

Kozak, a Warner Robins, Georgia, native, graduated last year from Valdosta State University with a degree in early childhood education. But fame and glamour weren’t the driving forces behind entering the pageant. “It started with scholarship money,” Kozak says. “I worked my way through school and I needed financial help. I’ve received more than $30,000 and that’s not even counting awards I’ve received.”

Raised by a single mother who recently retired from the military, Kozak bounced from city to city during childhood. That prepared Kozak for frequent travels associated with pageants. “In a typical week I may be in Valdosta one day speaking to three schools, and the next day in Atlanta at a NASCAR event, then it’s on to my trainer in Vienna (Georgia),” Kozak says. She’s also been a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor for the past five years. Even with new pageant responsibilities, she still finds time to keep in touch with her little sister. “I think sometimes you want to make sure you’re doing something for someone else in life, and the sure way to do it is to help a child,” Kozak says. “Everyone has their calling, and teaching is my calling,” Kozak says. “I just think it’s made for me.”

Update: Amanda wowed the judges with her talent at tap dancing and placed second runner up.

—Natalie McGill

The 2007 Miss America Pageant airs January 29 on CMT.