Ms. ABAC 2025 is biology junior Railey Hughes from Lakeland

By Carol A. Gasser Moore

 

TIFTON, Tift County, Georgia – Railey Hughes, a junior biology major from Lakeland, was crowned Ms. ABAC Wednesday night, February 26, at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Howard Auditorium.  That is the official explanation for Railey Hughes entering ABAC’s spotlight last week.

A weekend interview with this outstanding young woman brought to light many more reasons why ABAC and all who know he or are lucky enough to be related to her, have reason to be proud of Railey Hughes!

 

Railey is even more incredible than the Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge setting in which I met her.  She lit up her grandfather, Terry Hughes’ porch and dock with her smile, her compassion, observation, sensitivity and knowledge, as well as her stunning sunshine yellow dress and glint from her Ms. ABAC crown.

As she shared her interests, it was hard not to be drawn to her amiable and hardworking manner.  This determined young woman with unmistakable twinkle in her eye, is obviously developing, adapting and growing as a person with a wide variety of interests and willingness to try things that are not classified in her usual areas of interests.  Sideline cheerleading, cheerleading camps and its many competitions, acting and performing, shooting competitions, hunting are just a few of the wide variety of activities she has pursued.

 

Gracious, and sweet, she is also obviously intelligent, vivacious, curious and willingness to set and work towards her goals – personal, educational and professional!  We spoke on a wide variety of subjects and her interest in science, especially biology, really came across when we spoke about the recent citing of a deer with Chronic Wasting Disease.  She understood it as both a hunter as well as a biologist.

 

There are many facts that characterize Hailey. Hughes is a member of the Advancing Toward Occupations in Medicine (ATOM) Club and is an honors student. She spends her spare time volunteering to help children with special needs, at school events in the Lowndes County School System, as a state judge for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) events, and shadowing in the South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) operating room.

Hughes was also named the Interview Award winner.  As we spoke, it was simple to realize that she is a natural in all forms of communication.  She expresses a strong interest in leadership and advocacy and there are several platforms which she has explored and can easily articulate.

 

As biology major, Railey Hughes has set her goal to become an Anesthesia Assistant, because she wants to work in the medical field and have time left over for a balanced home life.  With this goal in mind, she has already made the decision to work in the field here, locally.  Though her education and professional certification will lead her to other regional areas, she intends to return home to work in a local hospital.

 

“It is important to me to serve where I am,” said Railey Hughes.  “I am determined to have my professional career here in South Georgia.”

 

Hughes expanded her thoughts and shared that she is “extremely honored and blessed to have been given the opportunity to represent ABAC.  I am looking forward to the upcoming months representing ABAC.”

 

Railey spoke a bit about the fact that she competed for the Ms. ABAC 2025 title against several outstanding women.  Madison Jones, an agriculture major from Bonaire, was named first runner-up. The rest of the top five were second runner-up Mia McGurl from Jacksonville, Florida., third runner-up Vera Tyre from Alma, and fourth runner-up Aleigha Stephens from Dublin. Jones was also named Miss Congeniality. Anslee James from Sylvester was the Essay winner and Gracie Bananto from Warner Robins was the People’s Choice winner. Other Top 10 finalists included Jaylee Canaday, Evelyn Carreno, Bananto and JillAnne Maybie.

 

The 55th annual pageant drew 19 contestants and was hosted by the ABAC Agripreneurs. Each year, the organization selects a charity to support with a portion of the funds raised at the pageant. Samaritan’s Purse, a disaster relief organization, was chosen this year.

 

Hughes plans to pursue a career in medicine, specializing in anesthesia and returning home to work in her local hospital system. She is the daughter of Matt and Misty Hughes, and sister to Kenley, who is a student at Lowndes County High School.  Railey Hughes graduated from Berrien County High School in Nashville where her mother taught math.

 

Railey Hughes from Lakeland (center) was crowned Ms. ABAC this week at the college’s Howard Auditorium. Pictured are (left to right) Vera Tyre, Mia McGurl, 2025 Mr. ABAC Hunt Stevenson, Hughes, Ms. ABAC 2024 Jenna Williams, Madison Jones and Aleigha Stephens.