Miss Northside High to compete in 2016 outstanding teen pageant

Melanie Wood was crowned Miss Northside High School in the school's annual pageant held Nov. 19 in the Ray Horne Theater.

A member of One Act, Beta Club, JOOI, Partners Club and a recipient of the Top 5 percent GPA award for three years, Wood is a junior at Northside High School.

As Miss Northside High School, Wood will compete in the 2016 Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen pageant. Wood has already competed in it twice, as Miss Presidential Pathways in 2014 and as Miss Gwinnett County in 2015.

"It does give you a sense of serenity to go back, but I know how everything works," Wood said. "It is always better to be familiar with something."

Wood said that she has dreamed of being Miss Northside High School for years and is looking forward to the Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen competition as well as representing her school for the next year.

"It is the best of both worlds, to go to Miss Georgia as Miss Northside High School and represent my school," Wood said.

Wood sang "Born to Fly" at the pageant audition and again on stage during the pageant. She had her interview earlier on the day of pageant competition and said she came out of it feeling very comfortable.

"I always just try and come across as who I am. I have opinions and let them be known but not in a pushy way. I am who I am and I believe what I believe. I said a quick prayer before I went and another afterward and just felt calm about how I did," Wood said.

Wood has an anti-bullying platform, No Place for Hate, and plans on making sharing information about bullying a priority during the next year.

"I was bullied some in elementary and middle school. Everybody goes through an awkward stage, but I really struggled with it. It impacted my self-esteem and even the fact that I did not want to go to school anymore," Wood said. She will be working on anti-bullying not only at Northside High School but local elementary schools as well.

Another priority will be involvement with the Partners Club, a club where regular education students work with special education students.

"I talked to the teacher in charge, and there are some great plans for the special needs kids for next semester. I am super excited to be able to help out," Wood said.

But Wood doesn't want to confine her activities as Miss Northside to her platform or any one thing.

"I want to be a Miss Northside High School that is involved in everything," Wood said. "I want to be an all around girl."

Other awards given out that evening included: first runner-up, Kensly Gasbarro; second runner-up, Paige Ringer; third runner-up, Rachel Chafin; and fourth runner-up, Sarah Slappey.

Preliminary awards given included first place talent, Rachel Chafin; second place talent, Kensly Gasbarro; third place talent, Melanie Wood; Application, Interview and Formal Wear, Melanie Wood; Informal Wear, Kensly Gasbarro; Miss Congeniality, Paige Ringer; Academic Award, Natalie Scully; Top 10 -- Olivia Kessel, Kate Kiefer, Jada Ross, Paige Ringer, Nayah Terry, Kensly Gasbarro, Rachel Chafin, Melanie Wood, Olivia Duckworth and Sarah Slappey.

This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 10:40 PM with the headline "Miss Northside High to compete in 2016 outstanding teen pageant ."