Miss America Betty Cantrell celebrated in Perry
Perry -- From the invocation onward, local leaders all wanted to lay claim to Miss America Betty Cantrell at a dinner in her honor Saturday night.
Monsignor Fred Nijem was the first to talk about his connection to the beauty queen and her siblings as he prayed at The Retreat of Southern Bridle Farms.
"Our claim to fame at Sacred Heart is that Betty, Mike and Sophia went through Sacred Heart School," Nijem said before his opening prayer.
"We give you thanks that Betty has used these gifts and talents to inspire and lift up all of us," he prayed.
Gov. Nathan Deal issued a proclamation read by state Rep. Shaw Blackmon. In it, the governor recognized Cantrell's accomplishments, work with young people and her servant's heart.
The biggest battle to adopt Cantrell as their own came from the mayors of Warner Robins, Perry, Centerville and Fort Valley.
Houston County's mayors presented the first gift.
"We're so awfully proud of you," Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms said. "You have the key to our heart but we'd like to, as three mayors of each city, to present you with the a key to each city, It's a tri-city key plaque."
Centerville Mayor John Harley joked that his city is famous for bordering Warner Robins, which is home to Miss America.
Not so fast, said Fort Valley Mayor Barbara Williams, who pointed out the Cantrell family home actually has a Fort Valley address in Peach County.
"Even though she claims Warner Robins because she has participated in that pageant and what have you, we still claim her," Williams said. "I thought Mayor Randy Toms was going to kill me."
Williams said she was ecstatic to be part of the celebration as she presented Cantrell with Fort Valley goodies from local businesses.
Peach County Vice Chairman Martin Moseley brought greetings and a proclamation from the commission.
"Everybody's fighting over Miss America, but I can look at you and tell this is not the first time two people have fought over you and it won't be the last," Moseley told Cantrell on state. "But we are so proud and honored to be here. We salute your beauty, your talent, your character."
Houston County Commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker told Cantrell she made them all proud.
"But your mom and dad, though, are the real heroes, I believe, because they have steered you in this direction, and a great deal of credit goes to them," said Stalnaker, who asked for a round of applause for Mike and Tassie Cantrell.
Stalnaker not only presented a cedar pen to Cantrell for her studies and a paperweight with the county seal, but gave scholarship money in her honor to the Miss Georgia pageant and the Miss America Organization.
National pageant CEO Sam Haskell drew cheers as he said: "It's high time Georgia brought home another Miss America."
After a rousing rendition of "Georgia on my Mind," it was Cantrell's turn at the microphone. She began by recognizing the impact of her roots.
"People think when you grow up in a small town, that you're not worldly and you don't know anything but small town living -- which is kind of true," she said with a laugh. "But, I've learned that coming from a small town actually makes you probably the most relatable person you could be."
Cantrell talked through tears about the close bonds she made with the other 52 women at the Miss America Pageant, and as she thanked everyone for supporting her and always helping her believe in herself.
"I'm just so, so overwhelmed and thankful for all of you, so I'm just going to leave it at that. Thank you very much."
To contact writer Liz Fabian, call 744-4303 and follow her on Twitter@liz_lines.
This story was originally published November 15, 2015 at 7:40 AM.