Miss Georgia

Amanda Kozak

What is your hometown like?
I live in a military town that is one of the fastest growing cities in Georgia.

What were you like when you were a child?
I was very creative and hands-on. I loved using my Easy Bake oven, having lemonade stands outside and creating different concoctions out of soaps and lotions.

Who is the most influential person in your life?
Not to sound like a broken record, but it would have to be my mother. She worked two jobs at one time, volunteered to be my classroom room mom and was always able to still get me to Brownies and dance class on time.

What is one thing about you that people you meet may not immediately realize?
I am a Pacific Islander (Guamanian American). People always think that I am adopted because I have dark features and my mother has blond hair and blue eyes.

What was one defining moment in your life?
When I was 18, I met my biological father for the first time.

What was one defining moment in your life?
You can never be too prepared because anything can occur -- zippers burst, shoes break and accidents do happen.

What was one defining moment in your life?
I want to increase the amount of volunteers and donations for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization while also helping them reach their goal to serve 1 million children by 2010.