Miss New York, Camille Sims, was awarded second runner-up at the 2016 Miss America Pageant Sunday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She is the granddaughter of the Rev. Thomas Sims and the late Vivian Sims of Americus and the daughter of Tommy Sims and Tracy Allen-Sims, also former residents and Americus High graduates. The younger Sims was a football standout at AHS and former NFL player.
Also  competing in the pageant was Cierra Jackson, Miss District of Columbia, who won lifestyles/fitness earlier in the week. Her grandparents, areLawrence and Bertha Hosley of Americus. Her parents, Gregory and Dr. Cheryl Freeman-Jackson of Columbus, are former residents and Americus High School graduates.