Elaina Burt was crowned Miss University of Alabama 2027 Oct. 17 at the Bama Theatre. She is a junior from Birmingham majoring in public relations on the pre-law track. She is also a member of Capstone Men and Women.
Burt shared a few words about her community service initiative and also her plans for the next year as Miss University of Alabama.
What is your community service initiative and why is it so important to you?
My community service initiative is Charlie’s Chance: Overcoming Epilepsy Together, a nonprofit I founded in honor of my little cousin, Charlie Mae. Charlie’s Chance educates, advocates and creates sustainable resources to support epilepsy patients and families across the state.
Through Charlie’s Chance, I founded Students for Epilepsy Support and Education, SESE, at UA to bring that same mission to our campus. This work is so personal to me because I know firsthand what epilepsy can take from a family. Charlie is the reason I started, but the families I’ve had the opportunity to serve are why I keep going. As Miss University of Alabama, I’m thrilled to have a campus-wide reach to continue being a voice for these patients!
How did you get interested in this type of competition and why?
The Miss America Opportunity has been part of my life for years, but Miss University of Alabama has always held a particularly special place in my heart. When I was a senior in high school, a former Miss UA gave me my very first campus tour, and that experience completely changed my trajectory. I left that day knowing Alabama was where I wanted to be!
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of being mentored, encouraged and poured into by so many former Miss UAs. These women have played such meaningful roles in my life, both within the Miss America Opportunity and here on campus. So for me, competing for Miss UA was about so much more than earning a title. It was the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of women who helped shape my own Alabama experience and hopefully have that same impact on the students who come after me.
What are some of your goals for your year of service as Miss UA?
My vision for this year of service is to leave a lasting impact on the campus and community that has invested so much into me. Through Students for Epilepsy Support & Education, I’m excited to expand seizure first aid education across campus and continue building a supportive community for students living with epilepsy.
Beyond my service initiative, I’m especially looking forward to connecting with UA’s network of alumni including generations of former Miss UAs, honoring the legacy of the women who came before me while connecting with students across campus. Alabama has so many hidden gems, from unique programs to unexpected opportunities. I hope to shine a light on those corners of campus that make this university so special. This year of service gives me a unique opportunity to expand the visibility of the program while also intentionally connecting with students!
The Miss University of Alabama court
Fourth Runner-Up – Katherine Grigsby ($1,000 scholarship)
Third Runner-Up – Belle Casey ($1,250 scholarship)
Second Runner-Up – Ava Grace Johnson ($1,500 scholarship)
First Runner-Up – Peyton Troth ($2,000 scholarship)
Additional awards given during the Miss UA competition
Burt also won the Spirit of Alabama Leadership and Community Service Award ($500 scholarship) and the Evening Gown/On-Stage Conversation Award ($500 scholarship). She also won the Fitness Award ($500 scholarship) and was the Social Media Challenge winner ($250 scholarship).
Ashlyn Berry won the Talent award ($500 scholarship) and Ivy Rogers won the People’s Choice Award ($500 scholarship).
Burt will receive a full-tuition UA scholarship for one year. She also receives a class ring from the Supe Store and gifts and services from sponsors valued at approximately $30,000.
The Miss University of Alabama competition is an official preliminary to the Miss Alabama and Miss America competitions. It is sponsored by The University of Alabama Alumni Association.
Courtesy of the University of Alabama
