TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Eighteen students will compete for the title of Miss University of Alabama at the Bama Theatre in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. The Miss UA pageant, which is an official preliminary event for Miss Alabama and Miss America, is in its 50th year
Carol Wright, director of the Miss UA Program, said this year’s competition will feature former Miss University of Alabama titleholders as special guests.
“We are expecting 35-40 former Miss UAs to return for this special year,” Wright said. “We are pleased to welcome back our ‘Forever Miss UAs’ and their families who have traveled to help us celebrate this special occasion.”
This year’s candidates include:
Dee Allen
Troy
Major: Interior Design
Community Service Initiative: Register to Vote – Encouraging our generation to register to vote and be involved in the election process.
Bella Baker
Tuscumbia
Major: Early Childhood Education
Community Service Initiative: The Baker Family Foundation – Providing funding and support for non-profit organizations.
Elaina Burt
Hoover
Major: Public Relations on the Pre-Law Track
Community Service Initiative: Charlie’s Chance – Educating, advocating and fundraising for epilepsy education
Carson Champion
Valley
Major: Kinesiology
Community Service Initiative: Champions Serve – Promoting volunteering and serving
Kate Chevaire
Salem, New Hampshire
Major: Public Health
Community Service Initiative: Reading for Recovery – Helping patients with eating disorder treatment
Rylie Dewley
Grand Blanc, Michigan
Major: Political Science
Community Service Initiative: Start Heart Smart – Advocating for heart health education
Lydia Fisher
Wapello, Iowa
Major: Biology
Community Service Initiative: Don’t Skip a Beat – Advocating for cardiovascular health for Americans
Liliana Geier
Dadeville
Major: Public Health
Community Service Initiative: Live with a Passion for Compassion – Bullying prevention
Reagan Hanson
Trussville
Major: Public Relations
Community Service Initiative: Reagan’s Rally: Encourage to S.E.R.V.E. – Promoting volunteering
Maddie Heath
Spanish Fort
Major: Psychology on the Pre-Law Track
Community Service Initiative: WOW – Working on Wellness to raise awareness about mental health
Kaitlyn Homan
Alabaster
Major: Kinesiology
Community Service Initiative: Mentally Strong – Strengthening the body and mind.
Gillian Johnston
Warwick, Rhode Island
Major: Theater and Dance
Community Service Initiative: #awholeathlete – Fighting the stigma and spreading awareness for mental health in athletes
Imani Muse
Chicago, Illinois
Major: Accounting
Community Service Initiative: Small Acts Matter: Encouraging Tangible Change
Leslieann Rook
Acworth, Georgia
Major: Nursing
Community Service Initiative: The Women and Gender Resource Center – Serve as an ambassador for this campus organization
Abby Sosa
Cullman
Major: Nursing
Community Service Initiative: Bridging the Gap – Inspiring Generation Transformation Through Education for Young Hispanics
Ruby Tilghman
Panama City, Florida
Major: Chemistry
Community Service Initiative: Many Mini Musicians – Bridging the Funding Gap in Fine Arts Education
Samantha Vilary
Woodstown, New Jersey
Major: Nursing
Community Service Initiative: Building Bravery – Preventing and bringing awareness to interpersonal violence
Chloe Yates
Louisville, Kentucky
Major: Interior Design
Community Service Initiative: Special Olympics – Deleting the ‘Dis’ in Disabled
The Miss UA competition, sponsored by The University of Alabama National Alumni Association, has been a platform for candidates to share their passion projects, talent and intelligence for 50 years.
The winner of the title of Miss University of Alabama will receive a full-tuition scholarship for her year of service to UA and numerous other gifts and financial aid scholarships from numerous donors.
