To outsiders, beauty pageants may seem all glitz and glamor.
However, for Gracelyn Ramey, a senior at Oglethorpe County High School, pageantry is how she overcame personal struggles and gained renewed self worth.
“It has just given me a whole new sense of confidence,” said Gracelyn, who won the America’s National Miss pageant over the summer.
Gracelyn, raised in the Veribest community, became interested in pageantry when she was 7 years old after seeing a pageant crown on Facebook, and she decided she wanted to wear one herself.
Her mother, Lisa Ramey, despite having no experience with pageants, wanted to support Gracelyn and entered her in Miss Southern Royal in 2013.
“The only thing I told her is to be yourself,” Lisa said. “Don't lose yourself, just smile, look at the judges and be her because that's all I knew to tell her, is to be you. And that was what was important.”
Ten years later, her advice has proven effective. Gracelyn not only won that first pageant in her age division, but has more than 20 pageant titles, including her first national crown this year.
Battling bullying
Despite Gracelyn’s success, her path there was not always easy. Growing up, she frequently faced bullying at school. She distinctly recalled one violent, physical altercation in primary school that left her feeling unsupported by teachers and peers.
“They never listened to what I had to say. Even though I'm a kid and, you know, stuff like that happens,” she said.
In an effort to improve her situation, Ramey changed schools multiple times.
She first withdrew from primary school and was homeschooled for third grade, but she missed the social interaction. The next year, she enrolled at a private school, where she eventually withdrew a second time due to bullying during her sophomore year of high school.
Gracelyn said she has found her place again at Oglethorpe County High School, where she is finishing her senior year.
“I'm glad that I'm now in a space where I have someone that will listen to me and take care of problems when something's happening,” she said.
More than a crown
Gracelyn first competed in the America’s National Miss Pageant in 2022 in the teen division, marking the first time she competed at the national level. The following year, she returned and was crowned America’s National Miss 2023.
“I didn't place, and that made me want to work harder so that I could win,” she said. “I came back this year, and I did better than I've ever done, probably, and I won, and it was a dream come true.”
Gracelyn is proud to align with ANM, citing the pageant system’s anti-bullying values.
“Being a part of a system that is against that really means a lot to me because I know that I now have a platform to stand against bullying, and I can also promote what I've been through and the system as well,” she said.
McKenna Wells, a friend and fellow cheerleader at OCHS, said Gracelyn inspired her to start doing pageants.
“My favorite memory of us together is at pageants,” Wells said. “I loved us always practicing together, whether it was for interview or just my walk.”
Wells said competing against Gracelyn is all good fun.
“I’m just happy to have my best friend by my side,” she said.
After graduation, Gracelyn plans to go to Athens Technical College to pursue a degree in accounting.
“Once I'm older, I want to be able to have enough money to be able to travel the world,” Gracelyn said. “I want to take my dad with me. Because it's his dream to go to Egypt and see the pyramids.”
In her more recent future are two state pageants: Spirit of Georgia and Exquisite Royalty. Thanks to her years of experience, Gracelyn said she will move forward with a newfound confidence.
“Being able to go into an interview room with the confidence to express myself and know that I am doing amazing at what I do has just given me a whole new sense of confidence,” she said.