Kaitllyn Bruce, a native of Oxford and junior at the University of Georgia, was crowned 2012 Miss Georgia Collegiate America Aug. 6 in Macon. Bruce competed in interview, fun fashion, evening gown and on-stage question.

She has won up to a $1,000 scholarship and will represent Georgia at the National Miss Collegiate America Pageant in San Antonio, Texas, in March. She will also make many appearances and participate in community service events around the state of Georgia for the year.

Bruce is majoring in Special Education and currently works part time at the UGA Office of Admissions. At UGA, Bruce is the Autism Speaks Team Captain, Student Ambassador and the Relay for Life Team Captain. In her spare time, Bruce enjoys fishing, jet-skiing, reading and mentoring younger pageant girls. Bruce is also very active in her community. She enjoys traveling as a motivational speaker to children afflicted with disease, promoting the H.E.R.O. program and Special Olympics.

She is a HOPE Scholar who had been named to Dean’s List for three consecutive years. She has received a Youth Leadership Proclamation from Gov. Sonny Perdue, founded the Courageous & Caring Kids Foundation and H.E.R.O. Program and is Spaulding Special Olympics Coach of the Year.