Georgia State Alumna Shines at Miss America

When Chasity Hardman enrolled in Georgia State’s School of Music in 2003 for an education in vocal performance, her professors instantly recognized her special gift.

Years later, as she sung on the stage of the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas on Jan. 25, the judges agreed.

Hardman won the talent portion of the competition for her rendition of “Home” from the musical, “The Wiz.” She was also first runner-up overall.

“It was a little surreal to be there at Miss America,” said Hardman, who competed as Miss Georgia. “It’s a great accomplishment and I felt very proud to represent my home state.”

The 24-year-old Columbus, Ga., native graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in music education. Although she was a tomboy growing up and didn’t dream about winning beauty pageants, Hardman said she decided to start competing in the Miss America system during her second year at Georgia State as a way to develop herself and earn scholarships.

She clearly has a knack for the competition. Hardman was crowed Miss Fulton County 2005, Miss Columbus 2006, Miss Atlanta 2007, Miss Capital City 2008 and Miss Georgia 2008, and she became just the second African-American to represent Georgia in a Miss America.

Faculty from Georgia State’s School of Music are pleased to see Hardman succeed on the national stage.

“Chasity is one of the students about whom the faculty said ‘She is going to be something,’” said Robert Ambrose, associate director of the School of Music. “She is enormously talented, a great musician and a very diligent student. She has all the pieces.”

At Georgia State, Hardman, a receipt of the University Scholar award, sang as a member of the University Singers and was a Georgia State cheerleader.

This year, Hardman is traveling the state, marketing the Miss Georgia title and promoting both the Children’s Miracle Network and her personal platform, D.R.E.A.M.: Developing, Reaching, Educating and Mentoring through Music.

In 2005, she started D.R.E.A.M.S., a non-profit organization that uses music to mentor children and increase their self confidence, communication skills and multi-cultural awareness.

Hardman, who has been singing for 15 years and has professionally trained in classical, Gospel, country, rock, and rhythm and blues vocalist, said she plans to pursue her dream of being a recording artist. And, if that doesn’t work out, she’ll return to school for a graduate education, most likely in music.

“Music is my passion,” she said. “I want to pursue my dreams of a musical career and continue my nonprofit.”

Online at http://www.missga.org/ and http://chasityhardman.com.

By Liz Babiarz

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