Maggie Bridges has traded dirt roads and pickup trucks for a tiara, at least for the next year.

“How surreal this is that I’m going to Miss America. I still can’t get over that,” Bridges says, wide-eyed and full of excitement.

Bridges grew up on a farm in Brinson (population 300), a southwest Georgia town about 30 miles from the Florida border. Now she's a senior at Georgia Tech, pursuing her degree in Business Administration in a metro area of nearly 6 million people. 

“It’s a huge transition from a town with 300 people,” Bridges says. “I’m loving life. I love Georgia Tech.”

Bridges was crowned Miss Georgia earlier this summer. She leaves for New Jersey on Labor Day to compete in the September 14 Miss America pageant.

Read why she's proud to break Georgia Tech sterotypes and see the 3D-printed, Ramblin' Wreck high heels she'll wear during Miss America festivities. Plus, see a video of Bridges' journey from her small hometown to the big stage in Atlantic City.