In a grand evening of pageantry, the 2011-12 Miss Ludowici contest was March 7 at Smiley Elementary School. 
Girls competed for crowns in the following divisions: Toddler Miss, Tiny Miss, Petite Miss, Preteen Miss, Junior Miss, Miss and the People’s Choice. 
The People’s Choice crown goes to the contestant with the most audience votes.
Each contestant was scored based on casual and evening wear in addition to her answer to an on-stage question.
After the scores were tallied, Mary Alexander won third runner-up; Jasmine Rasco won second runner-up; Molly Zechman  was the first runner-up; and Kelly Long received the 2011-12 Miss Ludowici crown.
Long is the daughter of Kenny and Sherry Long. She is the granddaughter of Lee and Sue McFann of Ludowici and the late Elbert and Mildred Long of Ludowici. 
She currently is enrolled at Ogeechee Technical College, where she is studying to be a dental assistant.  
Long graduated from Long County High School in 2010, where she was a four-year letterman on the softball team. She also was crowned the 2009 homecoming queen, 2007 Miss Long County High School and 2008 Miss Sweetheart. Long has participated in many pageants throughout the state and currently holds the title 2010 Tropical Dream Stars Supreme Dream Doll. 
Long attends Ella Grove Baptist Church in Glennville, where she assists in teaching the primary children’s Sunday school class.
The Miss Ludowici pageant is sponsored by Kitz-Etc., a nonprofit organization that gives out scholarships to deserving young women to help them further their education.
The Miss Ludowici pageant winner will receive a $500 scholarship at the end of her reign.