THOMSON, Ga ()- A local teen was crowned the winner of the Miss Ultimate USA Teen Scholarship pageant.

17 year-old Reagan Rhodes of Thomson was crowned in the competition in Orlando Florida, which took place from July 14-19.

She is the reigning Miss Georgia Ultimate USA Teen and she took away more than just the crown.

She won Teen Talent, Teen Photogenic, and Teen Academic as well as the spokesmodel for the whole Senior division.

Reagan earned the Community Service award from the organization due to her initiative, Reagan’s Reach, which focuses on raising awareness about type 1 diabetes, promoting literacy, and ensuring safe driving practices.

As part of Reagan’s “Dogs for Diabetes” initiative, she provides stuffed dogs to the Children’s Hospital of Georgia to ease the anxiety associated with the first insulin injection for newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetics. So far, she has gathered over 2,000 stuffed dogs for this cause.

Through a second part of Reagan’s Reach, literacy, Reagan continues to replenish her elementary school library with books.

The latest element of Reagan’s Reach is the “TextLess, Live More” initiative which began at Thomson High School. Reagan is involved in organizing pledge campaigns and educational sessions highlighting the risks of texting while driving among teenagers.

As the Miss Ultimate USA Teen, Reagan will expand Reagan’s Reach to enlist ambassadors to create lending libraries, multiply donations to children’s hospitals, and launch “TextLess Live More” pledge signing events at schools across the country.

According to a press release, the mission of the Miss Ultimate USA Scholarship Pageant Organization is to “empower, inspire and encourage young women to be their ultimate best.”

As an application of “The Mirror, Mirror Project,” Reagan’s “Proud to be Me” workshop for pre-teen girls emphasizes self-worth, confidence, and personal values. Over the course of the next year, Reagan plans to use her role as the Miss Ultimate USA Teen to bring this experience to elementary schools as well as to Miss Ultimate USA state pageants and events.

“I am so thrilled and honored to be representing Miss Ultimate USA,” said Reagan. “This has been an incredible journey; and I am so grateful for the support of my family, friends, and the entire Miss Ultimate USA team, led by national directors Michelle Cromer, Brady Cromer and Grace Friar.” 

The press release added that Reagan is a senior at Thomson High School, a featured performer in the Bulldog Players’ theater program. She is a varsity cheerleader; a Senior Adopter serving as a school ambassador; Beta Club vice-president; Student Council sergeant-at-arms; editor-in-chief of The Archive, the school yearbook; and a participant in the Healthcare Occupations Students of America  and SkillsUSA Career-Technical Student Organizations.

Reagan, the daughter of Drs. Steve and Mychele Rhodes, plans to attend the University of Georgia, majoring in Biology, with aspirations of becoming a dermatologist.