On June 17, 2023, a woman named Tara Schiphof, who is 25 years old and originally from King, North Carolina, emerged victorious from a field of 57 other candidates to win the title of Miss Georgia 2023.

The Pageant Venue River Centre of Performing Arts in Columbus, Georgia, was the location of the event’s Grand Finale, held on the pageant’s final night.

Tara Schiphof was not only awarded the title of Miss Georgia 2023, but she also received a sash, a title, and a scholarship in the amount of $25,000.

Kelsey Hollis, the incumbent queen, and her predecessor, Miss Georgia 2022, crowned the woman currently holding the title Miss Capital City.

Moreover, Tara won the competition to join the class of Miss America 2024, making her the 21st state winner overall.

She will be competing for the state of Georgia in the competition. 

It was her second time competing in the Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition.

Lastly, the year before, she got awarded the position of first runner-up.

Is Tara Schiphof a classical ballet dancer?

She was born in North Carolina. Her parents are Melanie and Chris Schiphof.

Tara Schiphof is a native North Carolinian.

When Tara was younger, she started her education at Mount Olive Elementary School and moved to Chestnut Grove Middle School. 

Furthermore, she completed her high school education and continued to college thanks to the prestigious Stokes County Arts Council Scholarship that she got awarded.

Tara completed her studies at the University of North Carolina in 2019.

Additionally, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in classical dance. 

She enrolled in the Master of Science in Management program offered by the Wake Forest University.

She was a member of the dancing at the academic institution.

Tara Schiphof has been dancing ever since she was a young girl.

She has performed at every major event in her community, including the Stokes Stomp, King Fest, and Walnut Cove Festival, as well as with the dance group Dance Perfections.

Furthermore, she got offered a marketing specialist position with Stanley Black and Decker, which required her to relocate to Georgia. 

At 23, Tara Schiphof triumphed in this very competition to take home the title of Miss Macon. This victory was her first in the state.

Miss Georgia Tara Schiphof winning Speech

“I am so grateful to have this prestigious honor of representing the state that stole my heart, GEORGIA, at MISS AMERICA!! 12 year old Tara would be so proud. Swipe to see my wish that I wrote on a piece of confetti in 2011 on the Wall of Dreams in NYC, Times Square. That confetti was released out of the ball drop on New Years Day on Jan. 1st 2012. We are one step closer to making that dream come true!!

This is my life testament as to why you should NEVER give up on your dreams. I PROMISE. If you believe you can, and you never let that belief become shaken or limited, I promise YOU WILL. 

I am Miss Georgia 2023, Tara Lynne Schiphof.”

Final words

The competition to determine the next Miss Georgia in 2023 was a great event that celebrated beauty, talent, and intellect. 

Both Charlie Key and Tara Schiphof were triumphant, with the former obtaining the title of Miss Georgia and the latter winning the title of Miss Georgia Teen. 

As they set off on this extraordinary adventure, they will serve as a source of motivation for others thanks to the poise, enthusiasm, and determination they have demonstrated throughout their lives.